Watching TV, working on a computer, washing and drying clothes, and doing anything that uses electricity is now more expensive for homeowners in part of Columbiana County.

As of April 1, American Energy Power, or AEP has increased the transmission rate for residential customers. The average customer will see their bill go up $10 a month. 

AEP provides energy to homes in southeastern Columbiana County including Calcutta, East Liverpool, Gavers, Glenmoor, La Croft, Salineville, Summitville, Wellsville, and Westpoint.

According to AEP, the increase covers the cost of improvements to prevent power outages and protect against threats to the electrical grid.

For those who get their power supplied through AEP Ohio's Standard Service Offer and don't shop around to buy power from other suppliers, the generation portion of their monthly electric bill will go down by approximately 30% (or $35) beginning on June 1st.

At a recent auction for generation supply, AEP Ohio saw a decrease in the price of electricity which is passed on to customers.

Customers who are part of a municipal aggregation or choose to receive electricity from another generation supplier will not see this same change in their electric bills.