Houston braces for the most expensive summer, with energy costs surging as triple-digit temperatures persist.
HOUSTON — With triple-digit temperatures baking Houston this week, energy usage — and bills — are soaring across the region. Experts say Texans should brace for the most expensive summer yet when it comes to staying cool.
A newly released report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates that the average household will pay $784 to keep their home cool from June through September. That’s a 6.2% increase from last year, when the average was $737 during the same period.
Houston households are facing the highest energy costs in the country, with the average climbing to a staggering $996 over the three-month stretch.
What’s driving the spike?
Experts say the rising costs come down to two key factors:
- Electricity prices are rising faster than the rate of inflation.
- Soaring temperatures are increasing the need for air conditioning, and more people are moving to Houston, further boosting demand.
Energy experts in Houston say the rising costs come as no surprise, with more people moving to the area and driving up demand and, ultimately, energy prices.
What you can do now to save
There are simple steps families can take now to reduce energy usage and lower bills, according to Wayne Morrison, Emerging Technologies expert with Reliant Energy.
“We don’t recommend a specific temperature because every home’s different,” Morrison said. “You set it for what’s comfortable for you. But things you want to do is make sure that you check your air filter, make sure that you get the proper airflow to keep your home comfortable.”
Morrison also shared the “4-by-4” rule to help save energy when you’re away from home:
“If you’re gonna be gone more than 4 hours, adjust the temperature 4 degrees,” he said. “That saves on your energy costs while you’re gone, but it is easy for your home to recover to your desired temperature once you return.”
Another easy trick? Use a dollar bill to test for air leaks.
“The dollar bill should be firm in there,” Morrison said about checking door seals. “So when you pull it, it’s kind of a firm pull. If it falls to the ground, you know you have a bigger gap and air is leaking. You want to either weather strip or caulk around those areas to stop that air flow.”
- Set your fan to “auto” instead of “on” to prevent it from running constantly.
- Schedule an AC tune-up to make sure your system is operating efficiently.
- Inspect and replace filters to improve airflow and reduce strain on your system.
Looking ahead
With weeks of extreme heat still ahead, now is the time to make these small adjustments. They could make a big difference, especially in a region where energy costs are outpacing the rest of the country.