AES Ohio says they are working to address customer concerns over unusually high electric bills, with reports from customers who have experienced discrepancies on their recent bills.
They claim the issue was “isolated” and said it affected certain areas within the company’s service area.
The company explained that the high bills resulted from estimated readings due to issues with the meters.
They say that some Smart Meters hadn’t yet been connected to the AES billing system, therefor estimates were applied to the bills.
AES Ohio says they are working to link these meters to their system and adjust any incorrect estimates.
For the affected customers who do not have Smart Meters, AES claims that cold weather prevented accurate meter readings.
Again, AES says they are working to ensure proper readings and accurate billing.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is investigating the matter after hearing from several affected customers.
In addition to the billing problems, AES Ohio is reminding customers about the impact of cold weather on utility bills.
January brought the coldest temperatures Ohio has seen in the past decade, leading to higher heating costs and say expect higher bills as more cold weather is expected in the coming weeks.
To help manage winter energy costs, they recommend setting thermostats back at least 8 degrees when away from home or sleeping, keeping airflow clear around heating units, and using natural sunlight for warmth during the day.
AES Ohio also offers assistance programs for those struggling with their utility bills, including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Winter Crisis Program (WCP), and the Gift of Power program for customers facing financial hardship.
For more information on payment assistance programs, visit HERE.
