Whether you live in the East Coast or West Coast, no one likes receiving a high electricity bill. But in which season is electricity most expensive? Is it summer? Well, this article looks at reasons why rates in summer months are higher than winter.
What Causes High Electricity Bills in Summer?
There are many reasons why electricity bills in summer are higher than normal, with the common culprit being the HVAC units. Most homeowners will use their cooling systems to regulate temperature levels in their homes. And since they account for about 46% of your average energy consumption, you can expect the figure to be higher in summer.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), residential customers will pay $173 per month this summer. This is a slight increase from last year’s $168. This is because this year’s summer temperatures will be higher than last year’s. As such, HVAC systems will run for extended periods leading to increased energy costs.
It is no doubt that most households in the United States use more electricity in summer (June, July, August) than in other months since they rely on air conditioning rather than other methods such as natural ventilation.
That said, electricity bills vary depending on your location. For example, if you live along the Gulf Coast, you can expect to pay more this summer due to hot and humid weather. However, if you live along the Pacific Coast, expect to pay less since the weather is more conducive in summer.
Cooling Degree Days
Cooling degree days is the measure of how temperature affects the need for air conditioning. According to the EIA, this year’s summer temperatures are expected to be higher, leading to a 5% increase in cooling degree days. This means the average electricity consumption will increase by 3% this summer.
That said, summer energy consumption in 2024 is expected to be lower than was used in 2010. This is thanks to the energy efficient air conditioning systems households have installed.
How High Will My State Electricity Bill Be In Summer?
While most electricity prices will remain relatively similar to last year, households in New England and along the Pacific Coast will see an increase in their electricity prices. If you live in California, Oregon, or Washington states, you can expect a 7% increase in electricity prices this summer.
This is because utilities in these states faced higher costs to supply electricity in 2023. For example, there was less production of hydroelectric power and gas prices were the highest in the country.
If you live in New England states such as Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, you can expect a 7% drop in electricity prices during the 2024 summer months. This is thanks to declining wholesale electricity and natural gas prices. That said, the average summer retail electricity price will be 26 cents/kWh. The highest in the nation.
Middle Atlantic states will also experience an increase in power prices this summer. If you live in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey states, expect a higher price of $14/month. It is as a result of increased electricity use and increasing electricity prices.
According to EIA, most households in the United States will experience higher electricity bills during the summer months of 2024 due to increased temperatures, increased electricity use, and higher electricity prices.
What Uses Most Energy In Summer?
There is no doubt that air conditioning uses the most energy in summer. And as the EIA forecasts higher temperatures during this year’s summer, you can expect your system to work harder, leading to increased electricity bills.
Ideally, when outside temperatures are higher than 35 degrees Celsius, your air conditioner will use maximum power to keep your home cool. As it operates at its maximum, the system may struggle to maintain optimal temperature in your home.
As such, it will run for extended periods and work harder. Eventually, your monthly electricity bill during the summer months will increase significantly.
Water heaters also consume excess electricity in summer. Regardless of how hot it is outside, you’ll still need a water heater for comfortable living. Energy costs increase significantly especially if you have a large family.
And since most people spend more of their time inside, you can expect appliances such as TVs, laptops, coffee machines, and similar to consume more electricity.
As you can see electricity bills will increase regardless of the appliances you have in your home. But your HVAC system will consume the most electricity. Consider complementing cooling of your home using other methods such as using window treatment and adding ventilations.
How Can You Identify Appliances Using Most Electricity?
There’s no one-fits-all answer on how to identify which appliances are using the most electricity. However, if you have a smart meter installed, you can easily tell when consumption is high as it turns red.
For example, if it turns red when running your washing machine, you can be confident it is among the appliances causing an increase in energy costs.
Another option is to use smart plugs. They allow you to monitor electricity usage from the comfort of your couch. It will send you daily alerts on the amount of electricity each plugged in appliance has used, allowing you to identify what appliance is using the most electricity.
Installing a monitor attached to the electrical panel can also help you monitor electricity usage, enabling you to identify which appliances are using the most electricity. The best part is that you receive real time alerts on your phone.
What Time of Day is Electricity Cheapest in Summer?
Generally, electricity rates during the day vary depending on demand. High demand increases electricity rates while low demand leads to lower rates. But this is changing as utilities adopt time-of-use plans. They allow you to pay less for electricity used during off-peak hours.
During summer months, peak and off-peak hours vary depending on your timezone. If you live in the Easter time zone, peak hours range between 2 and 6 p.m. while off-peak hours are between 6 and 2 p.m. If you live in the Central time zone, peak hours are between 1 and 5 p.m. off-peak hours are between 1 and 5 p.m.
Aim to run power-hungry appliances like washing machines during off-peak hours to avoid increased electricity bills.
How Do I Reduce Electricity Bill in Summer?
One of the most practical ways to reduce your electricity bill in summer is to use a solar system. It allows you to light your home, power appliances, and charge devices without drawing power from the grid. Furthermore, you can draw electricity from the grid during off-peak hours and switch to your solar system during peak hours.
All you need are robust solar panels and a high capacity solar backup system and you are good to go. And since peak sun hours are longer in summer, you can rest assured your solar batteries will always be fully charged.
For example, you can use the BLUETTI AC500 + B300/B300S Home Battery Backup. This portable workhorse has a 3072Wh capacity. And thanks to the modular design, it can be expanded to 18432Wh. With such capacity, you can run small to large appliances during peak hours and still get similar results.
Thanks to the 5000W rated and 10000W surge power, it is ideal for powering most devices. Whether you need to run your air conditioner, washing machine, or lighting system, this unit got you sorted.
It also comes with other features that increase its convenience. For example, it has multiple ports for connecting many devices, 6 recharging methods, and an app for remote control and monitoring.
Another option is the BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Battery Backup. This is an ideal option if you live within New England where air conditioning is rarely used in summer. It has a 3072Wh capacity ideal to run popular medium-sized appliances. However, you can expand its capacity to 12288Wh by adding four B300 batteries.
With a 3000W rated and 6000W surge power it can start and run small and medium-sized appliances such as coffee makers and refrigerators. The best part is that you can recharge it using solar panels, taking advantage of the long peak sun hours in summer.
Besides using a solar system, you can raise your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent your HVAC system from running at maximum power. It also ensures temperature levels remain constant during the day.
Final Thoughts
So, is electricity more expensive in summer? Yes, it is higher than other months due to increased electricity use and higher temperatures. You tend to use more electricity to cool your home during the summer months. Consider installing a solar system to reduce your electricity bills in summer.
