17-05-2025
Utilities expected to hit 12-year record high this summer
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Summer months are just around the corner, and the higher temperatures that come with it could take a toll on household budgets by driving up the price of keeping homes cool.
According to the National Energy Assistance Director's Association (NEADA), home electricity bills are expected to hit a 12-year-high this summer.
'It's definitely concerning with the price of everything anymore going up,' says Sara Barry, a City Utilities of Springfield customer.
In the United States, home electricity bills are expected to rise to an average of $784 this summer. That's more than a 6% increase from 2024 according to the NEADA, marking a 12-year record.
'A lot of people are already budgeting pretty tightly. So, for there to be a big swing normally and then possibly the highest rates in 12 years, that's rough,' says Barry.
The NEADA director says the summer price hike is due to high temperatures and electricity prices rising faster than inflation.
Joel Alexander with City Utilities says they are prepared to meet the demand.
'We prepare everything we can to make sure we've got adequate fuel supplies, adequate natural gas delivery, that everything's up and working properly. But really, those are things we do on a daily routine basis anyway,' says Alexander.
Yesterday, City Utilities announced a rewards program aimed at rewarding customers that choose to save energy during extreme cold and hot temperatures. Alexander says this is a win-win for both city utilities and its customers.
'Anything you can do to lessen the demand that you're putting on your system is going to lessen the demand that is putting on the overall utility power grid system,' says Alexander.
Participants will be awarded $50 for enrolling their smart thermostats, then $25 annually for staying in the program. Another CU customer who Ozarks First spoke with says the extra cash could help their budget.
'You have to relinquish a little bit of control, but you get a little bit of money back that is appealing,' says Hewson Battie.
You can find our previous coverage of the CU Peak Rewards program here.
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