The winter temperatures have dropped across the country and the extreme cold has increased monthly energy costs.
In December 40% of monthly inflation increase was attributed to an increase in total energy costs. An exclusive CNET survey showed that most households will pay for energy bills during the winter months (December to February) with $ 688.
This is not surprising for Wael KanjA senior research association for the re -wiring of America. Kanj has vigorously observed the energy costs of households and has determined an increase of 30% in the past four years.
With increasing energy costs, six out of 10 (62%) from US -Seren Winterergier calculation will press your finances. According to the survey, 11% of the US -growing people (which break out to around 28 million Americans) are already back in their energy costs.
“Winter energy costs could be a burden on households, especially depending on where they live,” said Kanj.
If you fight for it Do your energy billThere are steps that you can take to reduce your costs without affecting your comfort.
Here you will find a breakdown of how much people expect this winter, expert cost -saving solutions and resources to get help if you have difficulty paying high energy bills.
Average winter energy costs
Last summer that US -ENGIE INFORATION found that US -growing an average of $ 135 per month paid among the top 10 states with the highest electricity invoices. Winter energy costs increase monthly bills even more.
Depending on where you live, the costs could exceed this amount. The residents in the northeast expect that they pay almost 288 US dollars on average. Those who live in the southern part of the United States expect the lowest energy bills with almost 220 US dollars per month.
How the energy bills of this winter affect the finances of the adults of the United States
About 62% of the US -growing people expect the energy bills of this winter to burden their finances. Here is a breakdown of how you want to afford your energy bills:
What drives energy bills?
Several Factors can affect your winter energy calculationincluding the composition of your house, the type of fuel that you use and how much you pay for it.
Kanj said the majority of her energy bill were not from the execution of her devices or lights – it is how much it will cost to heat your home. It is too How You heat your house – like the devices and the fuel you use.
The climate of your region can also affect your thermostat temperature and the way in which you often operate your oven. Even if the weather is outside of your control, you can take steps that you can take Lower your energy costs.
How us -growing planning, stay warm and to reduce energy costs
Most of the following energy -saving efforts can help reduce your bill, but only to a certain extent, depending on the devices and the weather conditions of your house. There is also the possibility that you have to make other long -term efforts to reduce your bill. Here it is a breakdown of how us -growing people stay warm and hope to keep their energy costs low.
Some of these measures can help you reduce your energy bill, while others are not so effective, said Kanj. For example with A Smart thermostat And the temperature of your house during the absence can save energy and save your money. However, Reed said that you may still save considerably on your energy bill if you can carry out a lower temperature in winter, even for a few hours a day while you are at work.
“In winter there is the best way to keep your heating bill low, in keeping your thermostat at 70 degrees or lower,” said Reed.
You should not lower your thermostat to an unpleasant or uncertain point, Kanj warned.
“It is a limit for how low you should set your thermostat in winter. You want to ensure too cold for comfort,” said Reed. “Most thermostats don’t get much lower than 60. Remember that no energy saving is worth sacrificing your health, comfort or safety.”
Space heaters are usually heated with electrical resistanceAnd can heat a small room – like a room in your house without increasing your energy bill. “If you only have to keep some of your home warmer at the same time, you should use a room heater while keeping your main thermostat lower,” said Reed.
Space heaters are a great way to heat part of their house, As long as you use them safely. However, if you use several room heaters, you could increase your electricity bill, said Kanj.
Read more: We thought and found money savings with a room heater
Outside the lowering of your thermostat and the use of room heating, Kanj isolating and insulating and insulating and Use your home In order to keep the warmth inside and prevent cold air from entering into the greatest influence on their energy bill. Check how good your doors and windows are prevent the heat from drying out. And make sure that your attic, your basement and your walls.
Long -term energy -saving steps that you can take
It may not seem much to be much to reduce energy costs, but there are some steps that you can take to save you money in the future.
Long -term energy -saving steps that you can take
It may not seem much to be much to reduce energy costs, but there are some steps that you can take to save you money in the future.
Update your household appliances: If your devices are not energy -efficient, it may be time for an upgrade. If you are not sure whether your device is efficient, look for that Energy Star label. These products meet the efficiency requirements for state standards and can save money for your account.
Consider a heat pump: If your oven approaches the end of his lifespan, Kanj recommends installing A Heat pump As a heating and cooling system. A heat pump uses air and water to control the temperature of your house, and the savings can sum up to $ 1,000 annually, said Kanj.
Get a Home -energy audit: You can plan a Home Energy Audit with your supply provider. An assessor examines her home dream and checks previous energy bills to identify energy -saving upgrades. Energy tests can cost a few hundred dollars, but the costs can be claimed as a tax credit.
Take a look at the communities solar programs: You may have access to solar energy without installing panels on your roof. Some areas have a nearby solar energy low. You pay part of the electricity to use it, but you can save money for your monthly bill.
Some Energy efficiency Recommendations may seem expensive, but Kanj noticed that there are credits and discounts at the state level to reduce the costs for some energy -efficient devices. The Weatherization Assistance program uses the financing of the Energy Ministry to cover energy-efficient repairs and upgrades. New wiring America can create one Personalized electrification plan To show you your estimated savings by switching to energy -saving devices.
What to do if you can’t afford to pay your energy bill
If you cannot afford to pay your energy bill, programs are available. First of all, Kanj recommends checking whether your supply provider offers a program to support supply companies. For example, residents of South Carolina with Duke Energy for the help of the Share the Light Fund To cover restoring fees, deposits and energy bills. Your pension provider may also have payment plans and support, depending on your authorization.
Some energy suppliers also offer due date expenses, payment plans and service moratoriums to prevent separation in the colder months. For example, The Electric Service of Duke Energy Moratorium Can not be connected between December 1 and March 31 for 30 days – with an extension every 30 days – if they meet certain criteria.
Other programs for supporting federal uses can help, including the Energy aid program with low income with low incomesoffers support for energy bills, weather injuries and energy -related repairs and crises. The authorization depends on the state, income and household size.
methodology
Unless otherwise stated, all numbers come from YouGov. The total sample size was 2,531 adults, of which 1,777 pay their budget calculations. The field work was carried out between January 7 and 9, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The numbers have been weighted and are representative of all US -growing people (from 18 years).
