ABILENE, Texas — Abilene residents are facing some of the highest energy costs in Texas, according to a new study by the Home Energy Club.
The study ranked 57 Texas cities, placing Abilene and San Angelo in a tie for the second-highest energy bills, with residents paying an average of 16.2 cents per kWh.
That means the average Abilene resident will spend around $226 on their electric bill every month.
“The estimated average monthly electricity bill in Texas ranges from $165 to $179, which is higher than the national average of $137,” said author Frank Eakin in the study.
In comparison, Lubbock holds the top spot for the most expensive energy rates, with residents paying 17.3 cents per kWh. Houston ranks as the most affordable, with residents paying nearly $30 less per month than those in Abilene.
The Home Energy Club said Abilene’s low affordability ranking could be due to a couple of things. ‘
The extreme temperatures in the Big Country during both winter and summer can significantly increase heating and cooling costs.
Many of these areas are also more rural and may lack the infrastructure to get energy out there.
There are also fewer energy companies in Abilene and San Angelo, as compared to bigger cities like Houston and Dallas. This can result in less competitive energy rates.
At the end of the study, Eakins noted, “For individual Texans, the key to affordable electricity lies in understanding your usage patterns, shopping carefully for plans that match those patterns, and implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce consumption.”
If you’re looking to lower your electric bill as summer approaches, the Texas Public Utility Commission recommends setting your thermostat to seventy-eight degrees or higher, closing your blinds and curtains to keep the sun out, and doing your research to see which electric company and plan is right for you.