An icy, snowy winter left many Arkansans with dents in their wallets in the form of higher energy bills, according to a local electric company.
Due to one of the coldest arctic outbreaks in two decades, the bitter cold and well-below normal temperatures have heating and electric costs at a three-year high, according to Ozarks Electric Cooperative in Fayetteville.
"I have noticed my energy bill go up, especially for my business," said Pat Wheeler, a Fayetteville man, although he wasn't sure the cold was to blame.
Penny Storms, an electric company spokeswoman, said the additional energy consumption this winter has led to more expensive heating bills, as people crank up their thermostats to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Storms said some people are seeing bills that are at least 50 percent higher this year than in 2013. To save on an energy bill, consumers should either retrofit or build for energy efficiency.
For information on how to save energy, visit www.smartenergytips.org