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‘My highest bill ever’: Readers share how expensive their energy bills were this winter
“We have never, ever paid that much. It’s completely ridiculous,” one of more than 550 respondents said.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) sent a letter on Thursday directing the state’s five major gas providers to lower customers’ gas bills by at least 5% starting next month, after sky-high bills for gas and electricity left customers reeling from sticker shock.
In the letter, the DPU asked gas companies like Eversource and National Grid to start reducing residential customers’ bills in March and April. However, the department noted it could not mandate a reduction in delivery charges for February bills.
The letter attributed the spike to the sharp increase in supply costs, high programming-related expenses being recovered through delivery charges, and a particularly cold winter, which “has driven customer bills to unsustainable levels.”
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The call for lower energy costs follows recent pressure from Gov. Maura Healey and state lawmakers, who have been vocal about the “skyrocketing energy costs” affecting residents this winter.
“While energy prices fluctuate, utility companies should not have free rein to impose unpredictable and excessive financial burdens on ratepayers,” the letter said.
The gas companies have until Feb. 24 to file their proposals for adjustments, which will take effect on March 1.
Until then, Boston.com readers say they are struggling with the sharp increases to their bills. When we asked Boston.com readers if their gas and electric bills went up in recent months, we heard from over 550 readers who overwhelmingly (97%) said they experienced hikes.
Have your electric and/or heating bills gone up this winter?
Yes, they are higher than normal
97%
No, they've stayed the same
2%
No, they've been lower than normal
1%
Other
1%
“My bill varies from around $200-300 normally, but the last two months my electric bill has gone up to $600. The bill doubled!” reader Michael from East Boston said. And he’s not alone.
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Below, readers share just how much they had to pay on heating costs over the last few months, and explain their frustration with the state’s utility providers.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Have your electric and/or heating bills gone up this winter?
‘My highest bill ever’
“I have electric heat and live in a ~600 sq foot apartment and my heating bill was over $350 for January and February. This is almost twice as much as I have ever paid for my utilities in any previous January or February. I think this is price gouging – especially seeing that my delivery costs are more than the actual energy I am using. I no longer qualify for heating assistance, but my gains in salary have been canceled out by inflation, and now with the cost of utilities. And with tariffs on the horizon, I see no light at the end of the tunnel.” – Melissa M., East Boston
“I have a 2,000 sq ft single family house. In the daytime the temperature is set at 64 degrees. Drops to 62 overnight. My gas bill from National Grid for last month was $705. $457 delivery cost and $248 supply cost. My highest bill ever.” – Jamie M., Lowell
“I’ve lived in the same home since 2000. Although we have had colder Januarys in that time, my bill was just short of $100 more than the previous highest gas heating bill I’ve ever had to pay. My house is 175 years old and a bit drafty so I expected a high bill but not this high. And the average daily temp in the house has been about 65 degrees this winter.” – Mike D., Melrose
“The delivery fees are excessively high. Ours was over $700 for the month of January. The total heating bill is $1,116! We have never, ever paid that much. It’s completely ridiculous.” – Lal, Shrewsbury
‘I am frustrated by our elected officials’
“My heating bills, which include both gas and electricity, are significantly higher this year. This has been a cold winter for sure, but I noticed both the cost of energy and the delivery costs have gone up significantly. I am frustrated by our elected officials, as they seem to always place blame on energy companies and not acknowledge that government policies have resulted in higher prices as well.
“The state has taken extreme steps in an effort to move away from fossil fuels, but us consumers are not ready or able to shoulder the burden of these policies at the present time. I feel forgotten, as I am not eligible for any cost adjustments due to making a decent income, but I also don’t have multi-generational wealth sitting in trusts like many of my neighbors do here in the Boston suburbs. I’m feeling the pain.” – Alan B., Bedford
“My heating expenses continue to climb. The increase is out of line; the company needs to find a way to negotiate pricing contracts better, or they will find they don’t have any customers who can afford their product.” – Laura, South Hadley
‘It’s a shame that Eversource and National Grid are taking advantage of customers who are already struggling to pay their bills. I need to know why these two companies charge so much for their delivery fees for gas and electricity. This is unacceptable.” – Ava L., Millbury
“Both electric as well as gas bills have gone up. At around 27% more, it is greatly above the rate of inflation. The state needs to look at how this happened and bring wholesale change to the members of the utility rate commission. My sense of faith in the state is at an all time low.” – L.W., Falmouth
“Delivery charges doubled in two months. Our state government and utilities have clearly failed us in their ability to manage. This is ridiculous.” – Lawrence R., Norfolk
‘I have to wear a hat and jacket inside’
“I set the thermostat to 60 degrees. I have to wear a hat and jacket inside my home.” – Robert P., Dorchester
“I have had to turn the thermostat to no higher than 60 and learn to dress in lots of layers indoors. All this effort and sacrifice to still have a gas bill that is substantially higher than last year.” – Stu M., Salem
“My heat bill went from $50 over the past several months, to $121 in January and $325 in February. I rent a 2 bed/1 bath and do not turn the heat up above 63 degrees because I can no longer afford to.” – Bridget N., Quincy
“My January gas bill was $507 and I keep my house at 60 degrees. That is much higher than previous years. I’ve had Mass Save add insulation and I’ve sealed up everything I can. I signed up for Solar Farm usage for my electric and even with that, it’s over $200. I live by myself. I’ve replaced all the lights with LEDs, have smart power strips etc. and it seems to make no difference.” – Francine M., Wenham
‘Our gas heating bill skyrocketed’
“My gas bill was $781 and electricity $301. It was a total of $450 the prior month. I live alone in a tiny house with the thermostat set at 67. There is no way it should have cost over a thousand dollars for one month. That’s insane.” – Michelle, Beverly
“Our gas heating bill skyrocketed to over $760. Yes, this winter has been colder than last winter, but to put it into context, I went back to in-office 3 days a week, my daughter moved out and my wife only heats the upstairs where her office is. Our bill says usage increased 15.7% but the bill was $250 higher this month than last year. Delivery fees made up 64% of my bill. We used Mass Save two years ago to add insulation to the attic, but that now feels like it didn’t make a difference. Can’t wait for next month’s bill.” – Mark, Canton
“My monthly gas bills are 30%+ higher than the previous year.” – Jonathan H., Sandwich
“Natural Gas delivery charges went way up. Usage was only slightly higher, but the overall bill was up 40% compared to a year ago.” – Mike, Hopkinton
“My National Grid bill went from $400 to $695!” – Chris B., Dorchester
“Sticker shock. $400 for gas last month and almost as much the previous month.” – Michelle P., Marion
“My gas bill was $725 last month – for a 1,500 square foot house. Insanity.” – MaryAnn, Haverhill
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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