How much will US household energy costs rise in the summer of 2024, according to experts?
It won’t just be thermometers rising this summer as experts are predicting that US households’ energy bills will also jump as Americans try to stay cool.
With heat waves already hitting several states in the United States and a sizzling summer ahead this year, authorities advise avoiding outdoor activities, staying hydrated and staying indoors, preferably with air conditioning. However, keeping temperatures cool at home will be a luxury for many residents, as the average cost of the electric bill is expected to increase during the summer.
According to projections from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center on Energy, Poverty and Climate (CEPC), American households could see an increase of 8% in their electricity bills, going from an estimated $661 dollars in June to $719 dollars in August.
How much your bill rises will depend on one determining factor in addition to the cost of energy: how much of it is used to keep electrical systems running, in other words, how long the air conditioning is left on, explained the director of CEPC, Mark Wolfe, during a press conference.
The most affected regions
As reported CBS News, the highest increase is expected in the Mid-Atlantic, Central, Southern, Eastern and Pacific regions of the United States, where increases in energy prices of up to 12% are expected, compared to the figures recorded a year ago.
The rise in energy prices comes in what is expected to be the hottest year “ever” in history, according to projections from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. So far, states such as Texas, Florida, California and Arizona have begun to suffer the ravages of heat waves, registering temperatures in the triple digits.
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How to cool your home if you don't have air conditioning?
If you do not have air conditioning or simply want to keep your electricity bill low, there are various recommendations to keep your home cool, such as closing the curtains so that light does not filter into your home, leaving the windows open during at night, use exhaust fans in hot areas, such as the kitchen, or install awnings over the windows.