What factors influence natural gas use?
Several factors can influence your monthly natural gas use. These factors can be
measured by WPS, and we
summarize them on your monthly bill.
- Billing days
- WPS makes every effort
to read your meter once a month. The number of days between the monthly meter readings
may vary slightly — it won't be exactly 30 or 31 days each time. Your bill shows
the number of billing days included and how that compares with the same month last year.
- Average daily temperature
- Weather can play a significant role in how
much natural gas you use. During a cold winter when more heating is required, your
use is typically higher. During a mild winter, your use may be down. The average daily
temperature shown on your bill compares this month with the same month last year.
- Cooling degree days
- A measure of the need for air conditioning (cooling) based on temperature. Cooling
degree days are calculated by subtracting 65 degrees Fahrenheit from the average daily
temperature.
- Heating degree days
- A measure of the need for heating based on temperature. Heating degree days are
calculated by subtracting the average daily temperature from 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Percent warmer or cooler
- Your bill shows what percent warmer or cooler
it was this month compared with the same month last year. This percentage is
calculated based on the number of degree days this year compared with last year.
- Therms used and average therms/day
- Therms are a measure of the heat
content of the gas you use. Your bill shows how many therms were used this year
compared with last year — and the average number of therms used each day.
