Rising temperatures are one result of climate change that many people in the US are feeling. A lot of Americans are having a hard time financially because their energy bills are so high because of the high temperatures.
More than half of the people who live in the United States can expect their electricity bills and other costs to go up because of the extreme heat. The Bank of America Institute found that the average American spends about $300 a year on these kinds of things. This is 25% more than they did five years ago.
The report’s writers said, “As climate events and conditions continue to get worse and happen more often, households will probably have to pay more.” For instance, homes that are near heat waves and higher average temperatures are more likely to use air cooling, which could lead to higher energy costs and use.
It looked like these changes were harder for low-income families, which put a lot of stress on their finances. There’s also the “urban heat island” effect, which means that families with less money tend to live in hotter areas and be subject to more heat.
Since prices are going up everywhere because of inflation, utility costs are one place where people are seeing price increases. A lot of people in the US have said they couldn’t pay their energy bill or could only pay part of it.
Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, says, “We know that some people won’t turn them on because they’re afraid of the bill.”
Wolfe also said that it’s harder to get ready for and “treat” these heat waves because they last longer and are hotter.
