DUBLIN, Va. – During the wintertime, there’s no question many of us are going to be using more electricity than in the summertime. Some see electric bills as daunting to pay.
“I’m contemplating on which bill to not pay just in order to keep my lights on,” said Cari Kennedy, an Appalachian Power customer in Dublin.
After seeing multiple social media posts of people saying their bills are too high, I met up with Kennedy about her recent electric bill.
She said while she expected to have a higher electrical bill from her two space heaters, she got a bill in December hundreds of dollars more than normal.
“My bill last month was a normal $300,” said Kennedy. “They said on the breakdown of the watts I use was like 2,000 but somehow or another that doubled in the month of December”
We then called Appalachian Power to help Kennedy figure out her bill.
After talking to them for almost an hour, Kennedy’s only option was to go on Appalachian Power’s average monthly plan to try and help. She said while this may help, electricity needs to be affordable.
“It’s too much,” said Kennedy. “Especially with the prices of everything nowadays. Nothing is cheap, you can’t even have lights on.”
On social media, Kennedy isn’t alone.
There are folks posting about their high bills and even giving each other tips to get them lower.
Recently, Virginia senator Travis Hackworth filed the AEP Accountability Act to help people find other electrical options.
For Kennedy, she just wants to be able to keep her lights on.
On Appalachian Power’s website, there are payment options and tips to help keep your bill lower.
You can find them here.