Cold weather often brings higher electric bills. Many homes and small businesses use more power in winter. At the same time, community solar credits are usually smaller.

Why winter bills often spike

When temperatures swing, energy use changes. Heating and cooling needs rise and fall with the weather. In winter, colder days can increase electric use if you heat with electricity or run more fans and blowers. Shorter days also mean lights stay on longer. [S1]

If your home or business uses electric space heat, space heaters, or heat pump heating, your meter can move faster. Even homes that do not heat with electricity may see higher use from lighting and devices that run more in dark, cold months.

Why your solar credits look smaller in winter

Solar projects make more power in summer and less in winter. That follows the pattern of daylight hours across the year. Community solar credits follow the same pattern. In many areas, credits tend to be higher in sunny months and lower when days are short. [S2]

This seasonal swing is normal. It does not mean your subscription stopped working. It reflects the sun your local project gets each month.

What solar credits can and can’t do

Community solar helps you support local solar energy. It also adds bill credits to help cover part of your electric charges.

What credits can do:

  • Apply to a portion of your utility bill each month
  • Vary by season, with more in sunny months and fewer in winter [S2]
  • Lower your costs when you pay less for your subscription than the credits are worth

What credits cannot do:

  • Cover your entire bill
  • Remove normal changes in your usage from weather or habits [S1]
  • Work the same every month, since solar output changes by season [S2]

How savings work: you pay less for the subscription than the credits are worth. The discount applies to the credits, not your whole bill. Actual results depend on your state, utility, and project.

If you want a refresher on where credits show up and what each line means, see our guide: Your Electric Bill, Explained.

How billing works with credits

Depending on your utility and project, you may see credits in one of two ways:

  • One combined bill, where your subscription charge and your credit appear together. People sometimes call this net crediting or consolidated billing.
  • Two bills, where your utility shows the solar credit on your electric bill, and the solar company sends a separate subscription bill.

Either setup is normal. The format depends on the rules for your utility and project. If you are not sure which you have, review a recent bill and look for a solar credit line. Our pinned guide on Your Electric Bill, Explained can help you read the details.

If you are checking whether your home or business can join a local project, you can use our quick form: Check your eligibility. Availability varies by utility area and project.

Simple winter steps to use less electricity

While credits help, using less energy can also lower your costs. Small moves add up over a season.

Thermostat tips from the U.S. Department of Energy:

  • Set your winter thermostat around 68–70°F while you are awake. Lower it when you sleep or are away. [S3]
  • Turning it back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling. Results vary by home. [S3]
  • If you heat with a heat pump, programmable setback is generally not recommended in heating mode. [S3]

Draft control:

  • Seal cracks and openings to cut drafts and cold spots. [S4]
  • Use caulk for fixed gaps, like where trim meets walls. [S4]
  • Use weatherstripping around doors and windows that move. [S4]

You can also turn off unused lights, wash clothes with cold water when possible, and check that vents are open and not blocked. These steps are simple and often quick to try.

Every home is different. Try one change at a time and see what works for you. If you want help reading your winter bill, start with Your Electric Bill, Explained and compare it to a summer bill.

Bringing it all together

Winter often means higher use and smaller solar credits at the same time. That is normal and tied to weather and daylight. Credits help cover part of your bill, and smart habits can help too. If you need more detail on how your charges and credits show up, our Your Electric Bill, Explained guide is a good place to start.