With inflation at its peak, worrying about high electric bills is common. In fact, a recent study claims that about 78% of Americans are plagued by the same difficulties. However, the recent price hikes have exacerbated the situation even further for Floridians, who were already paying above the national average for their electricity bills.
This could be counterintuitive, but electric prices in Florida are below the national average. It's their energy consumption that results in high bills.
This article will be an effort in the same direction, understanding average electric bills in Florida, what affects them, and whether going solar can be a possible way out.
What Is the Average Electric Bill in Florida?
In July 2024, an average household in Florida pays approximately $265 for their electric bills, higher than the national average of $165. Despite the lower per kWh electricity prices, the main reason for these high bills is Florida’s unbearable heat, leading to long operations of the cooling system, the primary drainer of any household's electricity. This takes Florida's average monthly consumption to 1835 kWh, way higher than the nation's average of 893 kWh.
However, the given price number is not only for the power you consume, but it also includes taxes and maintenance fees for electric infrastructure, sharing 27% of the total bill you receive.
What Is The Average Electricity Prices In Florida?
As per the details of the US Energy Information Administration, the current average electricity price in Florida for residential customers is 14.79 ¢/ kWh. The initial increase of 10.1% was in the years 2021-2022, which further increased after the onset of multiple global conflicts that disrupted fossil fuel supply chains.
However, the rates are not the same for commercial and industrial connections. They enjoy lower rates of 11.83 ¢/ kWh and 9.16 ¢/ kWh respectively.
Why Energy Bills In Florida Became High?
It is evident that Floridians pay high electric bills compared to other US states. Initially, it was due to their high consumption patterns, which later on coupled with electricity price hikes, that the situation deteriorated further. However, the high electric prices in Florida are due to a number of factors, as explained below.
Climate Change
One primary reason is the prolonged and more severe heat season as a result of climate change, which has made the use of cooling systems more prevalent. This, combined with extreme weather events like hurricanes and storms, which were already a norm in Florida, has boosted their intensity and, eventually, the infrastructure damages, making consumers pay more for those losses, too.
Global Supply Chain Disruptions
Florida’s power production mainly depends on natural gas. It accounts for approximately 74% of the total power produced in Florida. While gas prices are subject to global political economy, firstly, at the start of this decade, the COVID-19 pandemic paused the fossil fuel supply, which was later perpetuated as a result of the Ukraine war. So supply and demand gap is another major reason for electricity price hikes in Florida.
Government Taxes
In recent years, inflation has become a common phenomenon worldwide, forcing governments to use energy price hikes. Florida is no exception. The extra tax imposed upticks electric bills.
What Factors Affect The Electricity Bills In Florida?
There are a number of other reasons that impact your bill in Florida. However, the primary reasons include your choice of electricity provider and, of course, your personal power consumption patterns. How they affect your bills is explained next.
Electricity Company
Florida’s energy market is deregulated. This means you are independent in choosing your power suppliers based on their offerings and your personal preferences. There is a slew of such companies, and some common names include Duke Energy and Florida Power & Lights.
These companies have different plans, such as time of use (ToU), fixed rates, renewable energy, etc. Each price has its own specifications. For example, for ToU, your per kWh rates will be different throughout the day depending on peak and off-peak hours. Similarly, for Fixed-rate plans, your per kWh rates will be slightly high but independent of market power price fluctuations. In Renewable, the energy provided to you will be clean, green, and sustainable, so its price will be accordingly. Conveniently, what plan you choose will impact your monthly bills.
Consumption Patterns
It's simple, the more power you will use, the more electric bill you will receive. However, one important point here is your appliance usage. In Florida, cooling systems have over half a share of your total bill.
If your cooling unit is not properly managed and your home insulation is poor, you will end up running your air conditioner for more time to achieve the same cooling that a well-managed AC with a proper thermostat setting can produce in less time.
What Are Energy Assistance Programs In Florida?
Energy price hikes mustered with the overall rise in the cost of living are tolling heavily on common citizens across the US. In this regard, some states, with the help of NGOs and charities, have initiated specific programs to serve the needy. Similarly, in the Sunshine State, there are a number of such plans available that offer energy assistance.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is at the top of the list. This helps below-average households keep their cooling units running in scorching heat by paying their HVAC costs. Other domains of the program include bill assistance, insulation repairs, weatherization, and crisis management.
Besides this, a number of other similar plans like those offered by Tampa Electric and The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, are more prominent.
Is Solar Systems Worth It In Florida?
Yes! Florida is among the few states considered best for harnessing the benefits of solar energy. Solar systems help you save on your eclectic bills, whether by completely cutting them or by serving as backup, partially reducing them.
So, ultimately, your savings will depend on your monthly energy budget and how much you can cut off with the help of a solar system.
In Florida, the sun shines at its maximum. As per stats, an average household needs a 13kW solar system to completely lay off their electric bills. A solar system of such capacity in Florida normally costs $ 32,000, though with BLUETTI solar systems, this number becomes significantly low. However, assuming them as standard, you can save around $ 37,000 in ten years.
Also, retrospectively, the electricity price increases by 3.1% annually, so if Florida’s net metering option allows for reverse sale to the grid, the upfront costs can be repaid in less time. Still, if upfront costs seem too high, most BLUETTI products, with their inherent PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE, qualify for a 30% Federal Tax credit, further decreasing your initial investment.
Solar systems have a normal life span of 15 years, with some exceptions like BLUETTI, which has an average life span of 20-25 years. It will pay back your upfront costs in less than 10 years, and the remaining years are totally free.
So, in summary, solar systems, especially powered by BLUETTI, are totally worth it in Florida, and thus below reviewed are our top-tier units that can help you go off the grid completely or partially, depending on your personal preferences.
BLUETTI AC200P+3*PV200 | Solar Generator Kit
If you want to reap the benefits of peak and off-peak hours, AC200P is here to help. This solar generator kit combines a 2kW inverter with a surge power of 4.8kW, a 2kWh LiFePO4 battery, and PV200 solar panels to harness solar power.
The system stores solar power into batteries, which can later be used during peak hours, helping you cut your energy bills as much as possible. Its output capacity, annexed with its battery, is enough to support the power requirements of multiple devices simultaneously for hours.
The battery has 3,500 charge cycles. This simply means that with one charge cycle per day, you can expect its lifespan to be more than 10 years. The integrated 17 outlet ports make it compatible with all your home devices, whether an AC, fridge, electric grill or any other home appliance.
So whatever your aim, whether you want to ensure a reliable power backup during outages or need something to cut your energy bills, AC200 will surely be your reliable partner.
BLUETTI EP500+3*PV200D | Solar Generator Kit
This moveable power station has wheels, making it equally good for use at home or during off-the-grid trips. Its integrated 5120Wh battery capacity does not need separate carrying and is powerful enough to run your appliance for hours.
The system is a pure sine wave inverter with a 2kW output capacity, enough to run multiple devices simultaneously. The units also support multiple charging streams, such as AC, solar, car batteries, and generators, so your power supply will remain available regardless of your location.
Smartness is the hallmark of BLUETTI gadgets, and EP500 is a glaring testament to this. The unit can be operated through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for smooth operations. Additionally, its battery management system and dual-core microcomputer ensure a reliable power supply for your voltage-sensitive appliances and guarantee safety during all temperatures, whether it's too cold or too hot.
Lastly, its 5-year hassle-free warranty with lifetime customer support makes the system not only good but also the best choice.
BLUETTI AC500 + 2*B300S | Home Battery Backup
AC500 has all the capabilities to help you go off the grid completely. Its 5kW output capacity with surge of 10kW is ideal for running almost all your home applinace simultaneously.
Next comes battery capacity. The system is modular in this regard. Its pre-built capacity is 3072Wh that can expandable upto whooping 18432Wh with additonal B300 batteires.
Talking about its operational smoothness, you can chrage the sytem through 6 different means. Its 16 output ports make it compatible with all of your home applinace and touch-less control through wifi and Bluetooth including power sharing, running of devices, etc, makes it more than your conventional battery backup.
While pricing is a primary concern for every consumer, AC500 ensures the best price through its PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE, which means if you find any similar system low-priced than this, you can claim the extra amount within 30 days of your purchase.
Final Words
Florida has enjoyed very reasonable electric prices compared to the national average. But recent year’s heat waves and increase in electric prices have significantly ratcheted up their bills. While relinquishing colling systems is not feasible, operating them through solar systems could be a prudent investment. BLUETTI battery backups are designed specifically to run HVAC effortlessly. You can explore a vast variety of products to choose what aligns best with your needs.
