January was the coldest in eight years and for many households, electricity bills reflected the increase in the energy needed to stay warm.
The season's coldest temperature (-44.3 degrees Celsius) was measured last month in Enontekiö, Lapland. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the country experiences this level of cold in January on average every five to ten years. The last time was in January 2016.
Last month also saw higher-than-average hourly spot prices as well as major dips and peaks in prices from nearly nothing or more than two euros per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Exchange electricity costs more
How much the cold weather will cost households varies, depending on what kind of contracts they have, how much electricity they use and when they use it.
For example, an old detached house can consume a lot more than a new energy-efficient house.
Fortum's account manager, Tuomas Yrttiaho, acknowledged that the January cold is reflected in pricier electricity bills but on the other hand, he said people have learned to save.
"Many households are equipped with various devices that help reduce the cost of electricity bills, such as apps that schedule consumption, air heat pumps and other automated appliances around the home," he said.
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Electricity companies also grant customers extended payment times.
"The number of people who heat their homes with electricity has risen more than for those who live in apartment buildings, which may have created the need for an additional payment period. However, there is not much change in the number of payment reminders or need for debt collectors compared to last year," said Yrttiaho.
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