CNET Survey: Winter Energy Bills Are Straining 62% of US Adults’ Finances
Winter temperatures in all parts of the country have fallen, and extreme cold has been promoting monthly energy costs.
December, 40 % Inflation rate increases monthly Due to the rise in overall energy costs. An exclusive survey of CNET found that most families are expected to pay $ 688 in energy bills in the process of winter (December to February), and families in the northeast are expected to pay an average of $ 804 in the season.
This is not surprising WAEL KANJA senior research assistant to the United States. Kanj has been paying close attention to family energy costs, and he noticed that it has increased by 30 % over the past four years.
With the rise of energy costs, one -tenth of the American adults (62 %) expectations Winter Energy Act Will squeeze in their financial state. The survey shows that at present, 11 % of the American adults (about 28 million Americans) are already behind their energy costs.
Kanjie said: “Winter energy costs may be the burden of family, especially on their place of residence.”
If you are working hard Affect your energy billYou can take some steps to reduce cost without sacrificing comfort.
This is a subdivision of people’s expectations for this winter. Experts saving cost solutions and resources to obtain help. If you are trying to pay high energy bills to get help.
Average winter energy bill cost
Last summer, US Energy Information Management It was found that the US adults paid the highest electricity bills with an average of $ 135 per month. Energy costs in winter are increasing monthly bills.
According to your residence, the cost may exceed this amount. Residents in the Northeast are expected to pay an average of nearly $ 288. People living in southern United States are expected to cost nearly $ 220 a month.
How does energy cost this winter affect the finances of adults in the United States?
About 62 % of adults in the United States are expected to damage their financial conditions this winter. This is the subdivision of how they plan to afford the energy bill:
What promoted the energy bill?
Some Factors may affect your winter energy billingIncluding the composition of the house, the type of fuel used, and how much you pay for it.
Kanjie said that most of your energy bills are not used by running your electrical appliances or lights-how much it costs about heating houses. Too how You are heating houses-such as electrical and fuels used.
The climate in your area will also affect your thermostat temperature and the frequency of your often running the stove. Even if the weather cannot be controlled, you can take some steps Reduce your energy costEssence
How to keep warm and reduce energy costs
Most of the energy -saving jobs below can help you reduce your bills, but to a certain extent, it depends on the equipment and climate of the house. You also need to make other long -term efforts to reduce your bill. This is the segment of how our adults maintain a warm way, and at the same time we hope to reduce energy costs.
Kanj said that some of these measures can help you reduce energy bills, while others are not so effective. For example, use one Intelligent constant temperature device And reducing the temperature of the house when it is not there can save energy and save your money. However, Reed said that if you can be low in winter, even if you go to work a few hours a day, you can still save a lot of energy costs.
“In winter, the best way to keep the heating cost is to keep the thermostat at 70 degrees or lower.”
However, you should not reduce the thermostat to a uncomfortable or unsafe point, but Kanj warned.
“You should set the low point of setting the thermostat in winter. You want to ensure that your house is still warm enough, so that the water pipe will not freeze, which will cause huge headache and expensive maintenance costs, or you will be too cold “Can’t comfort” Reed said. “Most constant thermostats will not be far below 60. Please remember that the ability that can not be saved is worth sacrificing your health, comfort or safety.”
Space heater is usually heated resistanceAnd can heat a smaller space-just like a room in your home without increasing your energy bill. “If you only need to keep the warmth of a part of the house at a time, please consider the use of space heater while keeping the host settings low.”
Space heater is a good way to warm the house, As long as you use them safelyEssence However, if you use multiple space heater, you may eventually increase electricity.
Read more: We have done mathematics
At the outside of reducing the thermostat and using the space heater, KANJ recommends insulation and Environment your house In order to prevent heat and prevent cold air leakage, it has the greatest impact on your energy bill. Check the degree of sealing of the door and window Prevent heat exudationEssence And make sure your attic, basement and walls.
You can take long -term energy -saving steps
Now, you don’t seem to do a lot of things to greatly reduce energy costs, but you can take some steps to help you save money.
You can take long -term energy -saving steps
Now, you don’t seem to do a lot of things to greatly reduce energy costs, but you can take some steps to help you save money.
Upgrade your home appliances: If your electrical appliances are not energy efficiency, then it may be time to upgrade. If you are not sure if the device is valid, please find Energy Star TagEssence These products meet the requirements of government standards and save your bills.
Consider a heat pump: If your stove is almost at the end of its life, Kanj is recommended to install Heat pump As your heating and cooling system. Kanjie said that the heat pump uses air and water to control the temperature of the house, and savings can increase $ 1,000 a year.
Home energy review: You can arrange Family Energy Audit With your public business provider. The appraiser will check your family room and check the past energy bills to identify the energy -saving upgrade. The cost of energy review may cost hundreds of dollars, but the cost can be called tax credit.
Study community solar plan: You may not need to install panels on the roof to use solar energy. There is a nearby solar power farm near some areas. You will pay some electricity to use it, but you can save money on the monthly bill.
Some Energy efficiency It is recommended that it seems expensive, but KANJ pointed out that there are credit and state -level discounts to reduce the early cost of certain energy -saving appliances. The climate assistance plan uses the funds of the Ministry of Energy to cover energy -saving maintenance and upgrades. Re -wiring the United States can create one Personalized electrification plan To show you the savings of estimates by switching to energy -saving appliances.
What should I do if you can’t afford to pay the energy bill
If you can’t afford the payment of the energy bill, you can help. First of all, KANJ recommends checking whether your public business provider provides a public utilities assistance plan. For example, the residents of South Carolina, which own Duke Energy, may be qualified Sharing Light Fund Pay re -connection costs, deposits and energy costs. Your public business provider can also formulate payment plans and help based on your qualifications.
Some energy providers also provide extension dates of the deadline, payment plan and service suspension services to prevent disconnecting connections during the cold month. For example, Duke Energy’s Electricity Services Purchase If you meet certain conditions, you can stop the service from December 1st to March 31st (extended every 30 days).
Other federal public business assistance plans can help, including Low -income family energy assistance planProvide the help of energy billing, climate, and energy -related maintenance and crisis. Eligibility depends on the country, income and family size.
Methodology
Unless otherwise explained, all numbers come from YOUGOV. The total sample volume is 2,531 adults, of which 1,777 people pay their family energy bills. A field survey was conducted between January 7 and 9, 2025. The survey was conducted online. These numbers have been weighted and represent all American adults (age 18 and above).
