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Major Factors

What Factors Influence Electricity Use in Michigan?

Several factors can influence your monthly electric use. These factors can be measured by Public Service, and we summarize them on your monthly bill.

• Billing Days. Public Service makes every effort to read your meter once a month. The number of days between the monthly meter readings may vary slightly — it won't be exactly 30 or 31 days each time. Your bill shows the number of billing days included and how that compares with the same month last year. If fewer than 26 days or more than 35 days are included between meter reads, your bill is prorated to reflect the length of the billing period.
• Average Daily Temperature. Weather can play a significant role in how much energy you use. During a cold winter when more heating is required, energy use may be higher. During a mild winter, energy use may be down. The average daily temperature is shown on your bill for easy reference to how temperatures this month compare with the same month last year.
• Degree Days. Degree days measure how much higher or lower the average daily temperature is compared with a base of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The average daily temperature is subtracted from 65 degrees. The higher the Heating Degree Days, the more likely your heating system needed to run to warm your home. In summer, your bill reports Cooling Degree Days. It reflects how much temperatures during the month were above 65 degrees. The higher the Cooling Degree Days, the more likely air conditioning was needed.
• % Warmer or % Cooler. Your bill shows what percentage warmer or cooler it was this month compared with the same month last year. This percentage is calculated based on the number of degree days this year compared with last year.
• KWH Used and Average KWH/Day. Kilowatt-hours (KWH) are a measure of how much electricity you've used. Your bill shows how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you used this year compared with last year — and the average number of kilowatt-hours used each day.