Solve the mystery.

The best way to determine the cause of high energy usage is to look at the total picture.

Start by looking at your history of energy usage. When you make comparisons, make sure they're accurate. A comparison of 28 days of electric usage last year to a 36-day usage this year will not be helpful. Instead, you may want to look at the number of kilowatt hours used per day. Take daily readings at the same time of day for a week. Note changes in your routine. Dawson PPD keeps monthly weather data for comparison.

Once you have determined that you are indeed using more electricity than normal, Dawson Public Power District suggests that you investigate the following possible causes:

• Electric water heater -- a bad element
• Submersible well pump -- a water logged pressure tank or a control problem that makes the pump run more than usual
• Faulty underground wire -- between the meter and your home or outbuildings. This wire is the customer's responsibility.
• Tank and block heaters -- these may have been left plugged in when they aren't needed
• Heat pump failure -- a failed heat pump will turn on the backup resistance heat
• Auto controls on appliances -- a thermostat on an appliance, a photocell on a yard light or a timer that has failed can cause an appliance to use more electricity

Please keep in mind that an increase in usage is rarely caused by a mechanical problem in the meter. However, Dawson PPD does have a procedure for testing meters at the customer's request.