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If you have a question about the Chugach system or our services, please send e-mail to
Consumer Services at service@chugachelectric.com. We will
get you an answer. Frequently asked questions will be added to this FAQ.
Chugach Electric Association has 501.4 megawatts of installed generation capacity at its four
power plants in South-central Alaska. In addition to its own generation, Chugach takes power
from the former federal Eklutna hydroelectric project north of Anchorage (now jointly owned with
Anchorage Municipal Light & Power and Matanuska Electric Association), the state Bradley Lake
hydroelectric project near Homer, and purchases power from AEG&T's Soldotna No. 1 gas-fired
turbine-generator and occasionally Anchorage Municipal Light & Power.
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What is a kilowatt-hour?
A kilowatt-hour (kwh) is a unit of electrical energy equal to the energy delivered
by the flow of one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electrical power for one hour. For
example, a 100- watt bulb burning for 10 hours will use one kilowatt-hour of energy.
How do I know how much electricity I use?
The amount of electricity you use is measured by your meter. Meters are read at regular
monthly intervals by Chugach meter readers.
Can I track my electricity usage between meter reads?
You can easily read your own meter if you wish to check how much electricity you use.
Your meter has five dials. Three of the hand dials turn clockwise and two turn
counterclockwise. When the dial hand points between two numbers, write down the lower
of the two numbers.
How do I know my meter is accurate?
Customers frequently assume there must be something wrong with their meter if they get a larger-than-expected bill.
The fact is, meters are usually very reliable devices. Before a meter is installed, we test
the meter for accuracy. Upon request, Chugach will test a customer's meter for accuracy.
What if the meter test detects something wrong with my meter?
If a meter tests shows a meter is faulty, Chugach will adjust the bill. However,
if the meter is within the two percent tolerance allowed in our tariff, the bill will not be
adjusted and the customer will be charged $30 for the meter test. Of the thousands of meters
Chugach tested in a recent two-year period, the few meters found to be inaccurate by more than
two percent were actually under-registering use. Before you go to the expense of a meter test,
investigate all other reasons for a higher or lower bill.
What if my meter was read incorrectly?
If Chugach misreads your meter we will adjust your bill.
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Billing
For answers to billing questions, see the
Billing FAQs.
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Vacations & Seasonal Use
Will my electric hot water heater use electricity when I'm away?
If you have an electric hot water heater it will use less electricity than if you were
home using hot water. If an electric water heater is left energized during your vacation it
will continue to maintain the tank temperature, even if you're not using hot water. Heat is
lost through the insulation and copper pipes that come out the top. A natural convection of
heated water flows up the pipes, cools and returns to the water heater to be re-heated.
Won't my furnace use less electricity when I'm gone if I set the thermostat
lower?
If the temperature dropped while you were gone your furnace or electric heater ran longer
to maintain the preset temperature. Many people forget that energized lights and appliances
add heat to their homes. Your furnace or electric heater will run longer if these lights and
appliances are off while you are on vacation.
In all-electric homes, usage in the winter months is directly proportional to the outside
temperature. Using indoor equipment like televisions, lights, an oven, water bed heaters and
other appliances has almost no impact on your usage, because it just offsets the amount of
heat that would otherwise come from the electric heat.
How much will my refrigerator or freezer use when I'm gone?
If refrigerators and freezers were not emptied and turned off while you were gone they will
continue to operate to maintain preset temperatures. Other electrical appliances like clocks,
heat tapes, security lights and televisions with an "instant-on" feature will continue to use
electricity if they are not unplugged.
Can I eliminate electricity usage when my house is vacant?
If you are determined to use no electricity during your vacation, turn off the circuit breaker.
But remember, when you do this the automatic appliances and lighting will stop. Your refrigerator
and freezer will defrost, your water heater will not have hot water ready for use upon your return,
and your home may freeze or be very cold when you walk in the door.
Remember also that vacationers often bring home several days of dirty laundry. This laundry
will give your electric water heater and dryer a workout during the first day or two back home.
Only you can decide whether your electric meter gets a vacation or not while you are gone.
Can I install my own emergency generator?
The National Electric Code (NEC), Article 700-6 and Article 230-83 requires that for safety
reasons a "double-pole, double-throw transfer switch be installed."
It is Chugach's recommendation that the transfer switch be installed by a licensed electrician
for safety reasons as well as proper application. Call Chugach at (907) 762-4529 for more
information and advice.
How much does it cost to run a portable electric space heater?
A typical (1500 watt) electric space heater will cost approximately 13¢ per hour to operate.
Are fireplaces good energy savers?
Not really. In most fireplaces all the energy from the burning wood, plus some from the house,
is lost up the flue stack. Unless you have a vent to bring outside air right to the fireplace, and
house (most homes don't have this vent), cool air being sucked in from the outside will flow past,
and turn on, the gas furnace or electric baseboard heater thermostats. Your electric costs could rise.
What will it cost if I use heat tapes on water pipes?
The monthly cost for each 18-foot length of heat tape used is approximately $6.50.
What does it cost to use an engine heater for my car?
There are three common sizes of electric engine heaters. Larger vehicle engines have higher
wattage electric heaters. Electricity costs approximately 4¢ per hour for a compact car, 7¢
per hour for a mid or full-size car, and 13¢ an hour for a full-size truck. Note: car engine
heaters (except for diesel engines) do as much good when left plugged in for two to three hours just
before starting as they do when plugged in all night. You can buy a timer for about $19 that in most
cases will pay for itself in a little more than one month.
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Lighting
When should I turn off standard fluorescent fixtures?
It is a myth that it costs more to turn off fluorescent lights than to leave them on. This was true
in the 1940s when fluorescent lamps first became popular because turning them off and on again greatly
shortened the lamp life. Today's lamps are not as affected by start-up damage and the energy surge to
start them up is so small that it's cheaper to switch them off when they're not needed.
What is the most efficient lighting source available today?
The most efficient lighting sources available today are high intensity discharge (HID) and low
pressure sodium (LPS) lamps. HID and LPS lamps produce the most light per watt of any light source.
They create up to one-third less heat and last as much as 24 times longer than incandescence. Most
parking lots and shopping centers use HID lamps, called High Pressure Sodium, since they are especially
useful for outdoor security lighting.
Despite their advantages, these lamps do have some special characteristics. Like fluorescent, they
need special ballast and have a warm-up time of three to seven minutes, making them unsuitable for some
situations.
Can I do anything to reduce my lighting costs?
Use only the amount of light you need - compact fluorescent lights and 3-way incandescent bulbs let
you choose.
For maximum lighting efficiency use a higher lumens-per-watt bulb. Watts measure the amount of
energy going into a bulb. Lumens measure the light output or brightness of a bulb. This information
is printed on bulb packages. To determine efficiency, divide the lumens by the watts of electricity
used. For example, the efficiency of a 100-watt bulb measuring 1710 lumens would be 17.1
lumens-per-watt.
Any advantage to using fluorescent lighting?
Fluorescent lighting delivers three to four times the light of incandescent bulbs of the same
wattage and lasts up to 10 times longer.
Are long-life bulbs more economical?
Long-life bulbs are less efficient, so use them only in hard-to-reach places where it's difficult
to change bulbs.
Why do some lightbulbs burn out more frequently than others?
The filament in light bulbs is sensitive to vibration and voltage. Where regular incandescent
bulbs regularly burn out prematurely, try replacing them with 130-volt incandescent bulbs or halogen
bulbs.
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Appliances
Will I save on my electric bill if I replace my old refrigerator with a new one?
A 20-year old refrigerator will cost from $15-$18 per month to operate. A new refrigerator of the
same size will cost approximately $7 per month for electricity.
How do I calculate the electricity costs for my appliances?
To find your monthly cost to operate each appliance, multiply the total
kilowatt-hours used by the current energy rate (approximately 9¢). For example, if you
have a VCR that uses 3 kwh per month and an energy rate of 9¢ per kwh the cost would be
27¢ per month.
I've been told to check the flapper valve on my toilet if my electric bill increases.
Why?
The water in Alaska is extremely cold, approximately 38 degrees when it comes out of the ground.
Because of this, most homes have "mixing" valves which mix warm water with the cold water before it goes
into the toilet tank. With only cold water in the tank condensation from the warm and humid air forms
water droplets on the outside of the toilet tank.
If you have to "jiggle" the handle on your toilet to stop the water flow after flushing, or if you hear
water running in your toilet when it hasn't been flushed, you should check the flapper valve in the tank
and replace it if it is faulty.
If you have an electric water heater and a mixing valve you are paying to heat approximately half
of the water in your toilet tank. If the flapper valve (a $10 part) is worn out or faulty and the water
is running excessively your electric bill could double or even triple because the water heater is working
constantly to replace the hot water running down the drain.
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