If you’re like me, there are aspects of your life that become a daily routine. I get ready for work, get in my car and go for a biscuit on the way to the office. At lunchtime, I drive to the nearest fast-food location and get lunch. Once I finally end the day at home, I play with the kids and stream an episode or two of my favorite show before bed.
As we all look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, I began to think about my daily routine and how much value it provided me compared to the money I spent. My morning biscuit and drink was costing me about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries and a drink was setting me back $10, and my Netflix subscription is about $16 each month. All these daily expenses totaled around $84 a week, or about $336 monthly. And what was the real value — short-term satisfaction and a larger waistline? Even as I started packing my own lunch, my morning biscuit and drink was still costing me about $120 a month. This got me thinking — is this the best value for my money?
The average daily cost of electricity is about $3.87, and the average monthly electric bill for members of Powell Valley Electric Cooperative is $116. You could power your entire home every day for the price of a biscuit and drink. I could cook my own meals, binge a series and walk on a treadmill for less than the cost of my breakfast. Now to me, that’s real value.
Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has also remained relatively cost-stable, even amidst rising inflation.
As a member-owned cooperative, Powell Valley Electric Cooperative does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as there are several factors beyond inflation that impact the price of electricity — some within our control but most beyond it.
The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting both demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we consider the impact of those costs on our members as well.
As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything
in our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. Rest assured, Powell Valley Electric Cooperative always places our members at the forefront of our thoughts and works each day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
— Brad Coppock
