Loading...

Processing your request

Thank you for your patience.

Skip to main content
Aep Ohio
  • My Account
    • Account Summary
    • Bills & Payments
      • Bills & Payments Overview
      • View Your Bills
        • Billing History
        • View Bill
        • Understanding Your Bill
      • Pay Your Bill
        • Make a Payment
        • Payment Activity
        • Payment Assistance
          • Payment Assistance Overview
          • Payment Assistance Programs
          • Bill Assistance Options
          • Payment Arrangement
          • Payment Extension
          • Winter Bill Help
        • Manage Payment Methods
        • AutoPay
        • Average Monthly Payments
      • Paperless Billing
      • Billing & Payment Programs
        • Programs Overview
        • Paperless Billing
        • AutoPay
        • Average Monthly Payments
        • Neighbor To Neighbor
        • Time of Use
      • Payment Assistance
      • Billing Alerts
    • Service Requests
      • Service Requests Overview
      • Start, Stop or Transfer Your Service
        • Overview
        • Start Service
        • Stop Service
        • Transfer Service
      • Modify Service
        • Change or Upgrade Your Service
        • Modify Home Service
        • Modify Business Service
      • Security Deposits
      • Meter Reading Schedule
      • Request a Letter of Credit
      • Electric Choice
    • Your Energy Usage
      • Energy Usage Summary
      • Ways To Save
      • Compare Rates
        • Compare Rates Overview
        • Your Energy Usage
      • Energy Tools FAQ
    • Account Settings
      • Account Settings Overview
      • Notifications
        • Notifications Overview
        • Usage Notifications
      • Manage Multiple Accounts
        • View Your Accounts
        • Add Account
        • Remove Account
        • Change Default Login Account
      • Change Account Password
      • Change Email Address
      • Change Mailing Address
      • Change Phone Number
      • Change Profile Name
    • Business Accounts
  • Outages
    • Outages Overview
    • Report Power Outage
    • Check Outage Status
    • View Outage Map
    • Outage Alerts
    • Report Other Problem
      • Report Safety Hazard
      • Report Tree Problem
      • Report Streetlight Problem
      • Report Leased Light Problem
      • Report Power Theft
    • Outages FAQ
    • Outage Verification Letter
  • Savings
    • Savings Overview
    • Money and Energy Savings for Your Home
      • Home Savings Overview
      • Money Saving Programs
      • HELP Program
      • Save Energy
        • Save Energy Overview
        • Appliances & Electronics
        • Heating & Cooling
        • Landscaping
        • Lighting
        • Water Heating
    • Money and Energy Savings for Your Business
      • Money and Energy Savings for Your Business Overview
      • Save Energy
        • Save Energy Overview
        • Heating & Cooling (HVAC)
        • Lighting
        • Motors & Drives
        • Refrigeration
      • AEP Ohio Newsletter
      • Temperature Tracker
      • Savings Toolkit
    • Your Energy Usage
    • Payment Assistance
    • Electrification
      • Electrification Overview
      • Find a Solution Provider
      • Technology Library
  • Community
    • Community Overview
    • Linden Community
    • Caring For Our Community
      • Caring For Our Community Overview
      • Volunteering
      • Neighbor to Neighbor
      • Featured Stories
    • Growing Our Community
      • Growing Our Community Overview
      • Community & Customer Experience/External Affairs
    • Power Projects & Plans
      • Power Projects & Plans Overview
      • Electric Security Plan
      • Smart Grid
        • Smart Grid Overview
        • Smart Meters
      • Reliability & Tree Trimming
        • Reliability & Tree Trimming Overview
        • Plan Before You Plant
        • Danger Tree Program
        • Trees and Power Lines FAQ
        • Trim to Treat
        • Right Tree, Right Place
      • Trim to Treat
      • Underground Cable Project
      • Central
      • Eastern
      • Far South
      • Northeast
      • Northwest
      • Southeast
      • Southern
      • Italian Village
      • South Side
    • Energy Education
      • Energy Education Overview
      • Kids & Teachers
      • Recreation
      • Electric & Magnetic Fields
    • Clean Energy
    • Economic Development
    • Electric Cars
    • Electrification for Your Business
    • Featured Stories
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Update Account Settings
    • Pay Bill
    • Get Payment Assistance
    • Report an Outage
    • Start, Stop & Transfer
    • Aepril Digital Assistant
  • Safety
    • Safety Overview
    • Order Safety DVD
    • Power Line Safety
    • Staying Safe at Home
    • Contractor Safety
    • Emergency Responders
    • Generator Safety for Businesses
  • Company
    • Company Overview
    • About Us
      • About Us Overview
      • AEP Ohio Electric Choice
        • AEP Ohio Electric Choice Overview
        • Choice for Business Customers
          • Choice for Business Customers Overview
          • Glossary for Business Customers
          • Lists of Active Providers
          • Notification & Metering Point
          • Questions to Ask a Potential Provider
          • Resources
          • Manage Usage History Access
          • Business FAQs
        • CRES Providers
          • CRES Providers Overview
          • Aggregator Registration
          • Business Partner Portal
          • CRES Calculations Processes
          • CRES Provider Handbook
          • CRES Provider Registration
          • CRES Provider Workshops
          • CRES Unaccounted For Energy
          • EDI Test Schedules
          • EDI Testing & Certification
          • Enroll From Your Wallet
          • Load Profiles
          • Meter Reading Schedule & Codes
          • Metering & Usage History
          • Power Broker Registration
          • Provider Support
          • Proxy Day Selection
          • PUCO Certification
          • Rate Ready
          • Service Territory Maps
          • Tariff & Revenue Class Codes
          • Time of Use (TOU) Rates Transition Plan
          • Transmission
        • CRES Letter of Authorization
          • CRES Letter of Authorization Overview
          • Add New Letter of Authorization
          • Letter of Authorization FAQs
        • Choice for Residential Customers
          • Choice for Residential Customers Overview
          • Glossary
          • Lists of Active Providers
          • Manage Usage History Access
          • Other Resources
          • Residential FAQs
      • AEP Ohio Leadership
      • AEP Ohio Electric Rates
        • AEP Ohio Electric Rates Overview
        • 2024 Residential Bill Updates
        • Generation Supply
        • Compare Rates
    • Economic Development
      • Economic Development Overview
      • AEP Economic Development
      • Rate Stabilization Plan Grants
      • Shale Oil and Gas Location
    • News Releases
      • News Releases Overview
      • AEP Ohio Media Contacts
    • Careers
    • Legal Notices
    • Media Gallery
  • Clean Energy
    • Clean Energy Overview
    • Electric Cars
      • Electric Cars Overview
      • Programs & Offers to Help You Drive Electric
      • Plug-In Electric Vehicle Rate
      • Electric Vehicles for Your Business
        • Electric Vehicles for Your Business Overview
        • Electrification for Business
        • Public Charging Plug-In Electric Vehicle Rate
    • Electrification for Your Business
      • Electrification for Your Business Overview
      • Electric Forklifts
    • Environment
    • Renewable Energy
      • Renewable Energy Overview
      • Solar
        • Solar Overview
        • Do's and Don'ts of Hiring a Contractor
        • How Residential Solar Panels Work
      • Wind
  • Business Customers
    • Business Summary
    • Business To Business
      • Business To Business Overview
      • Energy Provider RFPs
      • Pole Attachment Policy
      • Fuel Provider RFPs
    • Industry Solutions
      • Industry Solutions Overview
      • Economic & Business Development
      • Sustainability
      • Electrification
    • Builders & Contractors
      • Builders & Contractors Overview
      • Installing Generating Equipment
      • New Business Service
      • New Home Service
      • Requirements For Electrical Service
      • Temporary Service
    • Federal Tax Credits | Explore Grants & Incentives for Your Business
    • ESP V Customer Portal
Register Contact us
Give feedback
  • My Account(current)
    Account Summary
    Bills & Payments
    • View Bills
    • Pay Bill
    • Payment Activity
    • Payment Assistance
    • Billing Alerts
    • Security Deposits
    • Electric Rates
    Service Requests
    • Start, Stop & Transfer Service
    • Modify Service
    • Meter Reading
    • Letter of Credit
    Billing & Payment Programs
    • Paperless Billing
    • AutoPay
    • Average Monthly Payments
    Energy Usage
    • View Usage
    • Energy Saving Tips
    Business Accounts
    • Business Summary
    • Industry Solutions
    • Builders & Contractors
    • Business to Business
    Register
    Account Settings
    Change your email, phone number, and other settings on your profile
    Notification Preferences
    Get bill and outage alerts, or manage how we contact you
  • Outages(current)
    Outages Overview
    • Report an Outage
    • Check Outage Status
    • Outage Alerts
    • View Outage Map
    • Power Restoration FAQs
    • Outage Verification Letter
    Safety
    • Power Line Safety
    Report Other Problems
    • Safety Hazard
    • Tree Problem
    • Streetlight Problem
    • Leased Light Problem
    • Power Theft
  • Savings(current)
    Savings Overview
    Electrification
    Home Savings
    • Money Saving Programs
    • Energy Usage Dashboard
    • Energy Savings Tips
    Business Savings
    • Energy Saving Tips
    • Newsletter
    • Industry Solutions
    Payment Assistance
  • Community(current)
    Community Overview
    Caring for Our Community
    • Featured Stories
    • Volunteering
    • Neighbor to Neighbor Program
    Projects & Plans
    • Smart Meters
    • Reliability & Tree Trimming
    Economic Development
    Clean Energy
    • Environment
    • Recreation
    • Renewable Energy
    • Electric Cars
    • Solar
    Our Company
    • News Releases
    • About Us
    • Careers
  • Contact(current)
    Contact Overview
    Contact by Phone:
    • 1.800.672.2231
    Power out?
    • Report an Outage
    • Check Outage Status
    • View Outage Map
    Call 811 Before You Dig
    Careers
    Account Maintenance
    • Update Account Settings
    • Pay Bill
    • Get Payment Assistance
    • Start, Stop & Transfer
    • Notification Preferences
    Other Contacts:
    • Media Contacts
    Social Media:
    • Facebook
    • X
×
  1. Home
  2. My Account
  3. Bills & Payments
  4. Pay Your Bill
  5. Payment Assistance
  6. Winter Bill Help

Winter Bill Help

Extremely cold, winter weather can send your furnace into overtime — causing your energy usage and electric bill to go up. That's especially the case if you heat your home with electric, even if your thermostat setting remains the same. We know it's difficult when your amount due is more than you're expecting. We have ways to help, and want to make sure you're aware of them.

Please contact our Customer Solutions Center at 800.672.2231. Here's how we could help:

  • Enroll you in AMP (Average Monthly Payment) Plan. AMP evens out payments throughout the year to account for seasonal spikes in usage. Bills adjust on a 12-month rolling average and change only slightly each month, making bills more predictable. More information is also available here.
  • Set up a payment plan. In cases where bill payments have fallen behind, it may make sense to consider setting up a payment arrangement. Phone representatives can describe specifics based on each situation.
  • Learn how AEP Ohio partners with government agencies and non-profits to help low income households with utility bills. Ohio PIPP Plus and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are options available to those who qualify. Learn more here.
  • Prevent Disconnection of a Friend or Relative. You can help someone avoid electric service disconnection with our Third-Party Notification program. This free service is often used on accounts of those who are elderly or ill, but it can be used for any customer. Learn more about Preventing Disconnection.
  • Income Eligible Weatherization Services. Customers living on low or fixed incomes may be eligible to receive weatherization assistance or repair services through federal and state programs. Please contact your local community action agency. Find one here.

Why is my bill so high this winter?

The simple answer is that it's been colder than normal lately, but there are also other factors that can make a difference in your bill. Below are a few to take into consideration.

Mother Nature

Your energy usage can creep up quickly when heating your home in the winter, which means higher than usual electric bills. There are a lot of factors at play—from how well your home is insulated to your furnace working overtime to combat the frigid weather we've experienced in Ohio lately. Homes with electric heating systems can see especially large jumps.

Extra Billing Days

It's normal for the number of days in each billing cycle to change from month to month. More days per cycle will cause your bill to be higher. You can see the number of days in your billing cycle on the front page of your bill.

Energy Supply Rates

AEP Ohio delivers energy to your home and maintains power lines and equipment. Customers who select another company to supply their power through our lines may have different rates. See page three of your bill to learn about choosing who generates your power and visit http://www.energychoice.ohio.gov for energy providers and their rates.

Electric Heat/Heat Pumps

Even if you have lowered your thermostat, extremely cold weather can require your heat pump to change how it operates. When the temperature outside falls below a certain degree, supplemental heat may kick in to help your system run. In extreme cold periods, when heating needs are the highest, most of the heat provided comes from the less efficient supplemental heat. This is how your bill can increase, even if it seems you haven't done anything differently.

If you have used the emergency heat option on your heat pump, you will most likely need to manually change your thermostat back to normal or you will continue to use resistance heat.

This video will help you better understand your heat pump and how it works in cold temperatures:

Gas Furnaces

Even if you rely on your natural gas furnace as your home's main heat source, your electricity bill can still increase. Your natural gas furnace most likely relies on an electricity-powered blower to help move hot air through your home's ductwork. That electricity-powered blower is operating longer and harder to keep the same temperatures in your home when the outside temperature plummets.

Portable Space Heaters

In extreme cold periods, many people supplement their normal heating system with portable electric space heaters. Electricity to run just one 1,500 watt space heater can cost more than $4 a day, or $30 a week and $130 a month.

Wood or Pellet-burning Stoves

These heat sources may also indirectly impact your electricity bill. While there are higher-efficiency stoves now available, they still require venting and blower fans to exhaust fumes and smoke from your house.

* This information is meant to give you an overview of your heating source's operation. Consult your system's manufacturer for specific information.

How Do I Know My Bill is Accurate?

Bills include important details, look for these items on yours:

  • Check whether the bill is estimated or based on an actual reading under "Meter Read Details" at the top of page 2 of the bill. Most bills are based on actual usage. Within the last 10 years, AEP Ohio switched to radio frequency meters and began collecting meter readings remotely by vehicle in some areas. The practice is more efficient, safer and ensures almost everyone with a radio meter receives a bill that reflects an actual reading. Customers with new smart meters have their usage sent constantly throughout the day back to AEP Ohio.
  • Check the number of days being billed by looking at the "Current bill summary" on the first page. Billing periods can vary between 28 and 35 days, which can affect the overall bill amount.
  • Compare the average daily cost to the previous month or to the same billing period the previous year by looking at "Usage Details."
  • Compare the average temperature for the current billing period to the month before and to the same period the previous year by looking at "Usage Details."

If I Have a Smart Meter, How Can It Help?

Help on managing your bills is right at your fingertips. You can learn how much electricity you use throughout the day. With that information, you can make money-saving choices without sacrificing comfort.

Energy Dashboard:

AEP Ohio also offers you a personalized Energy Dashboard, located here. This page shows you the recent energy usage in your home.

There are several other reports available to you to help monitor your usage and control spending, including High Bill Alerts. When costs do creep up, this alert serves as a heads up so that you could modify your usage. All of these are available as options by going to www.AEPOhio.com/account/usage. Use your account credentials to login, and update your preferences on your Energy Dashboard.

High Bill Alert — Projected electricity bill and usage breakdown.

Weekly Energy Breakdown — week to week energy comparisons and projected electric bill.

Customer Engagement Report — Information and benefits of your smart meter.


Related information...
Payment Assistance Programs
Bill Assistance Options
Payment Arrangement
Payment Extension

  • Safety
  • Company
  • Clean Energy
  • Business
Need help? Call us.
800.672.2231
Customer Handbook
Visit AEP.com | Investors | AEP Careers | Electric Rates | Customer Choice | Requirements for Service
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of the AEP Terms and Conditions. Privacy Policy © 1996-2025 American Electric Power. All Rights Reserved.

Select your state handbook


  • Indiana Customer Handbook

  • Michigan Customer Handbook
  • Texas Customer Handbook

  • Arkansas: Your Rights as a Customer

  • Arkansas: "Arkansas Commercial/Industrial Price Options"

Loading video...


What Does "Remember User ID” Mean?

“Remember User ID” helps you log in without having to memorize your ID or look it up every time. When you opt in, we automatically fill in your ID from then on. To avoid unauthorized access, you’ll still have to enter your password.

Security Code

Your security code is a short word or phrase you set up with our customer service associates to provide extra protection for your online account.

If you have forgotten your security code, please call 800.672.2231.

Welcome back!

Please login to manage your account.

Forgot User ID or Password?
Register