Northwest Florida customers brace for higher power bills as winter heating costs rise

PENSACOLA, Fla. — As the colder temps seem to be going away for now in Northwest Florida, the concern for many energy customers across the state is the higher bills expected in the coming weeks.

This is a typical trend anytime temperatures fluctuate.

There are ways businesses and homeowners can minimize the impact on their pockets.

“Built in the 1880s, they are not the most energy efficient buildings in the world,” said Buck Mitchell, Seville Quarter marketing director.

Mitchell says the venue is the size of a full city block.

Keeping the building temperature controlled costs anywhere between $18,000 to $25,000 per month.

“Takes a lot of beers to pay the electric bill that Seville Quarter puts out,” Mitchell said. “It’s just part of doing business.”

When the temps go low, the energy bills go up — not only commercial consumers, but also residential customers.

Sarah Gatewood with Florida Power and Light says the recent cold front put a higher demand on the company’s energy grid.

“Heating actually draws a larger energy demand than air conditioning on the system,” she said.

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates a 9.2% rise in heating costs this winter compared to last year.

NEADA says families are expected to pay an average of $995 on heating this season. That’s up $84 from last year.

Gatewood says there are ways to save when heating your space.

“Make incremental changes to bump it up over a length of time, rather than all at once, so that he can prevent that big draw in the system, which can lead to a higher cost,” she said.

FPL also offers budget billing. The program calculates a 12-month average of your usage.

This gives consumers a consistent rate — even with spikes in temperatures.

“If you get a bill and you are surprised with that dollar amount, definitely reach out to us, because it can help prevent in the future,” Gatewood said.

For more resources on how to save on your power bill, click here or click here.