Don’t miss out: How you could get $175 checks and cut at least $60 off your sky-high summer energy bills
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Summer is here, and while most of us welcome the warm weather, there’s a darker side to the season: soaring electricity bills.
This year, the average American household will spend around $784 from June through September, which is up 6.2% from last year.
Compared to 2015, that’s a 58% increase—staggering by any standard. With prices climbing and no clear end in sight, finding ways to cut costs is more important than ever.
Rising energy costs are being driven by a combination of inflation and extreme weather, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
As summers grow hotter, air conditioning usage spikes, leading to higher bills across the board. Infrastructure costs and fuel price hikes are passed directly to consumers.
For households already on tight budgets, these added expenses can push basic utility payments out of reach.
In New Jersey, a new initiative is already giving residents some breathing room with $60 in automatic summer bill deferrals.
That’s $30 off each month for July and August, the most power-hungry part of the year. Additionally, eligible low-income households will receive a one-time $175 credit.
These measures were approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and apply to all residential ratepayers without the need for enrollment.
“Sometimes, we don't have the opportunity to thank our utilities enough—they really stepped up to the plate very quickly,” said Commissioner Zenon Christodoulou.
“It wasn’t their doing, that these prices went up, but they really are taking a lot of the brunt of this and we really appreciate their efforts.”
Also read: Cut $235 off your energy bills with these 6 simple tricks—plus, the “layering” hack that saves $140 instantly!
Executive Director Bob Brabston added, “No customer will pay a penny more as a result of this, and all customers will benefit by having their typically high summer bills eased somewhat as part of this proposal.”
Under the deferred bill program, the balance will be repaid over six months with no interest or extra charges.
For customers using life-sustaining medical equipment, Linda’s Law offers an extra safeguard by requiring a 90-day delay before any service can be discontinued due to nonpayment.
This ensures essential care won’t be interrupted during the hottest and most dangerous part of the year. Protections like this are critical as more Americans report trouble paying energy bills.
Also read: Homeowners can save up to $83 a year with this simple “weather strip” trick—and it works year-round
According to the Census Household Pulse Survey, 36.8% of households couldn’t afford to pay their electricity bill for at least one month in 2024.
Seventeen states and Washington, D.C. are also stepping in to protect residents from utility shutoffs during the summer.
These include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Washington DC, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, where seasonal bills are expected to be among the highest—averaging $996 over four months.
New England states aren't far behind, with seasonal bills nearing $992. For low-income households, this level of expense can consume up to 8.6% of annual income, nearly three times what higher earners spend proportionally.
If you're in New Jersey or any of the 17 states offering summer relief, now’s the time to check your eligibility for credits, deferred billing, and shutoff protections.
These programs could ease your burden without costing you anything extra. Don’t leave free money and protection on the table.
Reach out to your utility provider or state energy office to see what’s available in your area.
Read next: Stop overpaying! AC experts reveal the costly mistake adding hundreds to your energy bill
What’s the biggest energy-saving trick that’s worked for you? Let us know in the comments—your insight might help someone else stay cool this summer without burning through their savings.
This year, the average American household will spend around $784 from June through September, which is up 6.2% from last year.
Compared to 2015, that’s a 58% increase—staggering by any standard. With prices climbing and no clear end in sight, finding ways to cut costs is more important than ever.
Rising energy costs are being driven by a combination of inflation and extreme weather, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
As summers grow hotter, air conditioning usage spikes, leading to higher bills across the board. Infrastructure costs and fuel price hikes are passed directly to consumers.
For households already on tight budgets, these added expenses can push basic utility payments out of reach.
In New Jersey, a new initiative is already giving residents some breathing room with $60 in automatic summer bill deferrals.
How you could get $175 checks and cut At least $60 off your sky-high summer energy bills. Image source: Jakub Żerdzicki / Unsplash
That’s $30 off each month for July and August, the most power-hungry part of the year. Additionally, eligible low-income households will receive a one-time $175 credit.
These measures were approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and apply to all residential ratepayers without the need for enrollment.
“Sometimes, we don't have the opportunity to thank our utilities enough—they really stepped up to the plate very quickly,” said Commissioner Zenon Christodoulou.
“It wasn’t their doing, that these prices went up, but they really are taking a lot of the brunt of this and we really appreciate their efforts.”
Also read: Cut $235 off your energy bills with these 6 simple tricks—plus, the “layering” hack that saves $140 instantly!
Executive Director Bob Brabston added, “No customer will pay a penny more as a result of this, and all customers will benefit by having their typically high summer bills eased somewhat as part of this proposal.”
Under the deferred bill program, the balance will be repaid over six months with no interest or extra charges.
For customers using life-sustaining medical equipment, Linda’s Law offers an extra safeguard by requiring a 90-day delay before any service can be discontinued due to nonpayment.
This ensures essential care won’t be interrupted during the hottest and most dangerous part of the year. Protections like this are critical as more Americans report trouble paying energy bills.
Also read: Homeowners can save up to $83 a year with this simple “weather strip” trick—and it works year-round
According to the Census Household Pulse Survey, 36.8% of households couldn’t afford to pay their electricity bill for at least one month in 2024.
Seventeen states and Washington, D.C. are also stepping in to protect residents from utility shutoffs during the summer.
These include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Washington DC, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, where seasonal bills are expected to be among the highest—averaging $996 over four months.
New England states aren't far behind, with seasonal bills nearing $992. For low-income households, this level of expense can consume up to 8.6% of annual income, nearly three times what higher earners spend proportionally.
If you're in New Jersey or any of the 17 states offering summer relief, now’s the time to check your eligibility for credits, deferred billing, and shutoff protections.
These programs could ease your burden without costing you anything extra. Don’t leave free money and protection on the table.
Reach out to your utility provider or state energy office to see what’s available in your area.
Read next: Stop overpaying! AC experts reveal the costly mistake adding hundreds to your energy bill
