We know energy bills can be stressful, but you’re not alone. Whether you need help understanding your bill, support managing payments, or ways to help lower energy use over time, SMECO has designed solutions for real homes, real budgets, and real life.
About My Bill
Have questions about your bill? From understanding each section to learning what influences your energy costs, these tools and resources can help you make sense of your monthly bill.
What’s Included
Understand what is included in your bill and what each section means by reviewing a sample bill.
Calculate a Bill
Use this tool to understand how your energy usage affects your residential electric bill.
Why Is My Bill High?
It’s normal to wonder why your bill feels higher sometimes. We can help you understand your charges, identify what’s affecting your costs, and share ways to take control of your energy use.
If you didn’t pay last month’s bill on time, the amount due will be included in your current bill under Account Summary.
Bills are based on the amount of electricity you use. When you use more energy, especially during extreme summer or winter temperatures, your bill goes up. A broken heat pump or other HVAC issues can also increase energy use. To better understand how you’re using energy, log in to Account Manager and view your electricity consumption in 15-minute intervals.
Energy use changes seasonally. When it’s cold in the winter and your heating system runs, or when it’s hot in the summer and your air conditioning runs, your bill will likely be higher. Your bill is typically lower in May and October because you tend to use less energy in those milder months.
We recommend setting your thermostat to 68ºF (or lower) in winter and 78ºF in summer to help balance comfort and energy savings year-round.
Your electricity supply rate may be higher if you are enrolled with an alternate energy supplier, and your energy supply rate may be different from SMECO’s Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate. Check your bill for the “Alternate Supplier Charges” section, which includes an energy cost comparison. If your supplier’s rate is higher than expected, review your supplier agreement and contact the supplier for information about your options.
SMECO does not markup energy costs. SMECO’s Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate, which can be found on our Customer Choice page, for energy is made up of an energy charge and a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). The total is the SOS rate members pay on their monthly bill. The SOS rate reflects the price that SMECO pays on the wholesale market.
Your heat pump has different heating modes. The normal mode is the most efficient. The auxiliary or emergency mode is less efficient (more expensive to run). If it is very cold and your heat pump runs continuously, it may still be more efficient than running it in the auxiliary or emergency heating mode.
- Schedule a Home Energy Analysis: An expert will evaluate your home to identify energy-saving opportunities and potential improvements.
- Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up: Heating and cooling can be a significant part of your home’s energy use. A tune-up can help identify efficiency or performance issues with your system.
Whether you use a heat pump, gas furnace, oil furnace, electric furnace, or electric strip heating, get to know how to use your system efficiently.
If you can control you heating and cooling costs, along with your water heating costs, you can control your energy bills. For more information, download our Control Your Electric Bill brochure, SMECO’s self-help guide to managing your bill.
Budgeting and Payment Support
We’re here to help you feel confident about managing your bills. Whether it’s flexible payment plans, automatic payments, or assistance programs, there are options designed to help ease the pressure and fit your needs.
Sign up for SMECO’s Budget Plan to make your monthly bills more consistent, or log into Account Manager to enroll. The Budget Plan is a fixed amount that levels out the effect weather has on your electric bills.
Making smaller weekly payments throughout the month may make your bill easier to manage. For example, instead of waiting to make one $200 payment, you could make four $50 payments leading up to your due date. Remember that your full balance must still be paid by the due date to avoid a late payment fee.
If you need additional help with your bills, SMECO offers different bill assistance plans depending on your situation to help you spread out payments, avoid falling behind, or reduce your energy costs.
SMECO offers multiple ways to pay your bill so can find one that works best for you and your needs.
Programs and Tips to Help You Save Energy
Over time, small changes and affordable upgrades can help your energy costs feel easier to manage. From easy DIY improvements to professional energy-saving solutions, there are a lot of ways to save energy, stay comfortable, and reduce your bills—one step at a time.
Where small changes can make a big impact
HVAC and water heating are among the largest contributors to your energy bill, accounting for about 33% and 14% of your home’s energy use, respectively. Here are a few tips you can use to start cutting costs:
- Have your heating system serviced annually
- Clean or replace filters monthly
- Find the coolest comfortable setting (We recommend 68°F in winter)
- Take advantage of sunlight to help heat your home
- Weatherize doors and windows
- Ensure duct work is sealed and insulated
- Insulate your attic, walls, and crawlspace
- Use blinds or curtains to block the sun’s heat
- Turn on a fan to create a wind chill effect and feel cooler
- Use a microwave, crockpot, or instant cooker instead of an oven
- Ensure your thermostat is set to “AUTO” so it only runs when needed
- Use caulk or weatherstripping to fill any cracks or gaps and prevent cool air from escaping
- Set your water heater thermostat between 120°F and 125°F
- Use cold water whenever possible, such as when washing clothes, and only run full loads
- Insulate your water heater (check manufacturer recommendations)
- Take shorter showers when possible
Bill Credits and Incentives
Want to get rewarded for lowering your bill each month? SMECO offers programs that let you earn bill credits and more while making smart energy choices that can help your home and our community.
SmartTemp
Earn bill credits for helping us save during times of peak demand in the summer months. Get $100 for enrolling and earn up to $50 in bill credits annually.
Switch2Earn
Schedule a thermostat upgrade and earn up to $100 in your first year. Plus, when you stay enrolled, you will continue to get up to $50 in bill credits each year.
FlexHome Pilot
Get up to $96 in annual bill credits + an enrollment bonus for enrolling your water heater and letting SMECO make small, brief adjustments to the temperature when energy demand is high.
What’s demand response? It’s a simple way for members to support a more reliable power grid by temporarily reducing their energy use when demand is high. Learn how it works.
Questions?
We have answers. Call 877-818-4094 for more information.
EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate.