08/28/2026
“Watts” Driving Up Your Electric Bill?
Has your electric bill increased, or even doubled? While a typical Ohio household uses 750 to 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, many homes use much more depending on appliances, electronics, heating and cooling systems, and devices that continuously draw power.
Understanding what uses the most electricity is the first step toward managing energy use and avoiding higher bills, especially during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Every additional kWh increases your electric bill by raising:
Generation (supply) costs – the cost of electricity used each month
Delivery costs - transmission and distribution charges that may increase based on electricity usage.
To learn more about charges on your electric bill, see the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel’s (OCC’s) Electric Bill Made Easy fact sheet at www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/electric-bill-made-easy.
IF you are a veteran, surviving spouse, or raising children of a veteran, and in need of emergency financial assistance to help with one-time utility assistance to get you caught up, please contact our office at 419-782-6861 to apply for financial assistance.
For monthly utility assistance and energy efficiency cost reductions:
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a benefit directly applied once per heating season to the main heat source (electric, natural gas) or bulk fuel bill (fuel oil, propane, wood, coal). Consumers must be income eligible.
HEAP Summer Crisis Program (SCP) assists income-eligible Ohioans with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, an air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases. SCP is available from July–Sept. annually.
HEAP Winter Crisis Program (WCP) assists income-eligible Ohioans: maintain or restore service; establish new or transfer service; with a PIPP default; or first PIPP payment. WCP is available Nov.–March annually.
Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) is a year-round extended payment plan allowing eligible customers to pay electric and/or natural gas bills based on a percentage of household income, so service is more affordable. Debt can be forgiven with on-time and in-full payments.
Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) assists income-eligible Ohioans to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.
Call Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) for more information about the above programs: 419-784-5136
