Energy Prices
City Electric Rates Decrease Again!
Smart energy use can help customers save even more
City of Tallahassee electric utility customers will see lower utility bills starting Oct. 1. Customers can expect a cost reduction of about eight percent, resulting in an overall 18 percent decrease over the last six months, due to the decreased cost of natural gas. With this reduction, Tallahassee's electric rates will drop below the average for all Florida electric utility providers.
Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, and the City uses gas to produce more than 95 percent of its electricity. When the price of natural gas declines, the City passes that savings along to its customers. The total 18 percent reduction will result in a combined savings of more than $65 million for our community and $335 in savings per year for an average household. The City also has established contracts for lower natural gas prices over the next 24 months to keep costs low.
To lower utility bills even more, Your Own Utilities encourages residents to conserve energy and take advantage of the City's comprehensive Energy Smart Plus (e+) initiative. Programs designed to improve residential energy efficiency include:
- free home energy audits
- rebates for new natural gas appliances and Energy Star electric appliances
- ceiling insulation grants
- low-interest energy conservation loans
- solar water heater rebates and photovoltaic net-metering
Fall is a great time for homeowners to make energy-efficiency improvements as contractors typically can work with customers on installations faster than during summer months. With cooler weather on the horizon, this is also a good time for residents to have their home heating systems examined for efficient use.