Bluewater Power says overall hydro usage was up 10 to 15% this summer, compared to 2015.
President and CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis says it's definitely temperature driven.
"Electricity demand is very sensitive to cooling appliances and they draw significant power," she says.
McMichael-Dennis says it's not uncommon, if you are cooling your house significantly, for a summer time bill to be double a bill of any other time.
"The good news is you can control that somewhat, as long as you're willing to live with the comfort implications. There's no rate change over the summer. But, certainly, as your consumption goes up your bill goes up and with by-monthly billing you often separate the time you receive your bill from the time that you've actually consumed that power. So it's easy to forget those days that you had your central air running around the clock for several days at a time."
She encourages residents to save power by keeping blinds closed, setting the thermostat a degree higher and avoid using the oven.
McMichael-Dennis says hydro usage peaked this summer at 198 MW July 21.
The utility's all-time peak high is 230 MW, set in the early 2000's.
McMichael Dennis says they always have coupons available on their website if you want to upgrade your lighting.
The province also runs a program to assist low income residents with their bills.
McMichael-Dennis says this is the last summer customers will get bi-monthly bills. The utility switches to monthly billing in 2017.
