Why Is My FPL Bill So High In 2022?
If you live in the Greater Orlando area, you likely have Florida Power & Light as your utility provider. As utility companies around Florida struggle to deal with the increased costs of natural gas, you may notice that your FPL bill is higher than normal.
What can you do? Our team at Solar Bear Orlando explains why energy costs are so high and what you can do to combat them!
Why is My Energy Bill So High?
There are many reasons why electric bills are on the rise these days. We are still dealing with supply chain issues that began during the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts that are affecting prices, and extreme weather events, like Hurricane Ian, which are becoming more frequent. All have an impact on your energy bill, whether with an increased price or increased consumption.
Like many industries, energy companies are struggling to source materials and the labor necessary to meet demands, therefore they are pushing up prices.
But there is another unexpected reason for these higher electricity bills—higher rates from extra consumption. It’s simple. The more electricity you use, the more you will pay for your electricity usage. Makes sense, right? So, if your energy costs are twice as high as usual, it isn’t simply that you used twice as much electricity. It is more likely that your utility company is charging you more per kilowatt hour than the extra energy you are using beyond your typical base rate.
Utility Company Petitions
In early September 2022, Florida Power & Light, Tampa Electric Co. (TECO), and Duke Energy Florida, filed petitions to raise energy prices at the state Public Service Commission. If these petitions are passed, customers throughout Florida will see higher bills starting in January 2023.
Of the proposed increases for 2023, it is estimated that customers who use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity will see a 13% increase. That would make a monthly bill from FPL increase from $120.67 to $130.23.
While future rates could change depending on the costs of fossil fuel, FPL estimates that based on 1,000 kilowatt houses a month of usage that average bills will be:
- $117.92 in 2023
- $118.12 in 2024
- $118.38 in 2025
What You Can Do
Though there aren’t many consumers can do about these rising prices, there are a few things that they can do around the house to adjust. Of course, we recommend installing a solar panel system to offset these rising costs!
Why? Because if you are stuck using only grid-supplied power, there is nothing you can do to lower your rates. So, you are left with trying to change your thermostat habits, or unplugging appliances to help offset energy costs.
But if you install solar panels, you can lower your electric bill significantly, especially if you take advantage of net metering.
Essentially, the idea is that the power you generate with your solar panels will replace or offset the power that you need to buy from FPL. If you break down the monthly costs of your solar panels and compare that to how much power they produce, the cost per kWh for electricity from your solar system is lower than the electricity rates from your utility company.
Further Electricity Savings Tips
Here are a few more tips to help you save on energy costs when you install a solar panel system.
#1. Use Less Electricity
The less energy you use overall, the more likely it is that you can depend more on your solar panels and not your utility. Go room by room and find ways to be more energy efficient. This could mean:
- Upgrading to Energy Star appliances
- Running your HVAC less or turning up the thermostat
- Replacing traditional light bulbs with LEDs
- Unplugging small appliances when you aren’t using them
- Running only full loads of dirty dishes or clothing
- Using heavy curtains to block the sun
- Keeping your fridge three-quarters full
- Turning down your water heater to 120° F
#2. Battery Storage
You can also invest in solar battery storage, which will store any excess electricity that your panels generate that isn’t used immediately by your home. Then, if there is a cloudy day, you can use the reserved power instead of using power from the grid.
#3. Sign Up for Net Metering
Net metering allows you to take the excess electricity from your solar panels and add it to the grid. You then will receive a credit from your utility company for the extra electricity, which can in turn lower your monthly electricity payments.
#4. Optimize Time-of-Use
A time-of-use plan means that you will get lower rates if you use energy in off-peak hours.
You can:
- Run devices that use ample energy, like washing machines during non-peak hours.
- Invest in a smart thermostat that allows you to set specific times to run your air.
- Turn off unnecessary power during peak hours.
- Charge your electric vehicle in non-peak hours.
Peak and off-peak hours will vary based on where you live, the season, your electrical company, and other factors. Peak hours are usually when electricity demand is at its highest, and off-peak is when it is at its lowest.
Related > Top Cities for Solar Energy in Florida
Save With Solar
Combat rising energy costs by going solar! Our team at Solar Bear Orlando is ready to help you decide the best system for you so you can gain energy independence today.
Ready to get started? Call Solar Bear Orlando today at (727) 471-7442!