Photo: Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Some Bay Staters are mentally and financially preparing for summer — if it ever arrives. After experiencing soaring electric costs during the winter months, residents are considering what the warmer weather might bring.
"Between the heat and everything, I was spending $500, $600 a month," said one Bostonian.
Electricity bills are comprised of several components, including supply rate, delivery rate, transmission rate, transition rate, and distribution rate. As the base price of electricity continues to increase, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Boston households paid 73% higher than the national average for electricity in December 2024.
"The electric rates are horrible. They just keep going up and up and up," said one resident.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Massachusetts consumes 25 times more energy than it produces and has one of the highest average monthly electric rates in the U.S. With the soaring rates, energy experts offered suggestions on ways to save as the unofficial start of summer commences:
- Clean AC units
- Keep track of the temperature setting
- Make sure your units are properly maintained
- Check your home installation
- Replace your AC with a new energy-efficient model
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.