Your energy use: the more you know, the more you can save.
Learn about the ways weather and billing cycles impact your energy bill and how rates are determined. You’ll also find insightful information that will help you:
Just like the seasons change, so do your energy needs. When temperatures rise during the summer, for example, the increase in energy needed to cool your home can increase your energy bills.
This is where energy efficiency comes into play. If you adjust your thermostat 7° to 10° from your normal settings for eight hours each day—regardless of the season—you can save as much as 10% on energy costs over the course of a year!
As temperatures rise and fall, your energy bills will vary.
The above chart demonstrates how changes in the weather impact the amount of energy a typical household uses throughout the year. You’ll notice when average temperatures are at their peak in July and August (98°), energy consumption is also at a high point (800KWh). Conversely, when average temperatures fall during cooler months like April (50°), energy usage is also reduced (600 KWh).
Since billing cycles can range from 26 to 35 days, comparing one month’s bill to another may not help you fully understand your usage. For a handy way to evaluate your bills, check out our Understand Your Bill feature. We also offer helpful payment programs such as Flexible Due Date and BudgetWise Billing, which can help you manage your energy payments—and find a payment solution that works best for your budget.
Making energy-saving changes that fit your lifestyle can be easy. Start with simple things, like turning off lights and the TV when no one is in the room and using energy efficient LED light bulbs.
You may also want to consider replacing inefficient appliances. To help you spot and prevent inefficient energy use, visit our wide-ranging Save Money & Energy section, where you can explore our interactive, energy efficient home, get tips and rebate information, download the DTE Insight App to pinpoint possible savings and schedule a free Home Energy Consultation.
Your bill reflects the total amount of energy used (kWh), measured by a meter reading at the end of each of your billing cycles. The rates you pay are set by the Michigan Public Service Commission—an independent third party that conducts a public process known as a regulatory rate review. To learn about this process, watch this short video and visit electric rate information in the Quick Links section.
Check out our Ways to Save, download the DTE Insight App and visit our Save Money & Energy section.
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My UsageLearn about the ways weather and billing cycles impact your natural gas bill and how rates are determined. You’ll also find insightful information that will help you:
Just like the seasons change, so do your natural gas needs. During the summer months, for example, it’s likely that your furnace is rarely used, and natural gas consumption is minimal. The opposite is true for the cold months of winter. It’s no surprise that natural gas usage is at a yearly high in January and February—when your furnace is used most often to keep your home warm.
This is where energy efficiency comes into play. If you adjust your thermostat 7° to 10° from your normal settings for eight hours each day—regardless of the season—you can save as much as 10% on energy costs over the course of a year!
Residential Natural Gas Usage Pattern
Since billing cycles can range from 26 to 35 days, comparing one month’s bill to another may not help you fully understand your natural gas usage. For a convenient way to evaluate your bills, check out our Understand Your Bill feature. We also offer helpful payment programs such as Flexible Due Date and BudgetWise Billing, which can help you manage your natural gas payments—and find a payment solution that works best for your budget.
Making natural gas-saving changes that fit your lifestyle can be easy. Start with simple things, like lowering your thermostat a few degrees at bedtime during the colder months and installing low-cost, clear plastic window sheeting over leaking windows to keep cold air out.
To learn more about weatherizing your home, and to help spot and prevent inefficient natural gas use, visit our wide-ranging Save Money & Energy section, where you can explore our interactive, energy efficient home, get tips and schedule a free Home Energy Consultation.
Your bill reflects the total amount of natural gas used (Ccf), measured by a meter reading at the end of each of your billing cycles. The rates you pay are set by the Michigan Public Service Commission—an independent third party that conducts a public process known as a regulatory rate review. To learn about this process, watch this short video and visit natural gas rate information in the Quick Links section.
The DTE natural gas team’s buying and storage strategy, substantial increases in natural gas supply, and energy-efficiency practices by customers like you have led to big reductions in the average bill. How big? Natural gas bills have fallen by 30 percent over the past 10 years!
DTE purchases natural gas well in advance of winter and stores it until it’s needed. In fact, we utilize underground storage for approximately 50% of the natural gas we need for the colder months. This strategy helps us stabilize the price of natural gas and results in greater reliability of supply for when it’s needed the most. It also lowers the cost we pay for natural gas — which we pass along to customers like you.
Check out our Ways to Save, and visit our Save Money & Energy section.
Fast answers to all your questions
My Usage
