Americans are facing a brutal reality this summer as they prepare to pay an average of $784 just to keep the AC running.
The projected jump in energy bills is making this one of the most expensive summers in the past 12 years. According to a new report by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the energy bill hike this summer is unavoidable for most people, up a worrying 6.2% from last year’s $737 average.
That steep energy bill hike this summer is a direct result of skyrocketing natural gas prices, which are expected to jump 50% compared to 2024. Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that natural gas deliveries to power plants will cost utility companies much more this season. Add to that the billions they’re pouring into electric grid upgrades and data center power usage, and you have all the ingredients for surging utility bills across the U.S.
To put this in perspective, back in 2015 the average summer energy bill was just $497, a full $287 cheaper than what people will pay this year. Even after adjusting for inflation, this energy bill hike this summer feels like a punch to the gut. Energy costs are outpacing most other living expenses, including food prices, which rose by only 2.4% in May 2025. Energy bills, by contrast, jumped more than 4.2% after inflation.
And it’s hitting low-income families especially hard. According to NEADA, these households spend roughly 8.6% of their income just on energy, that’s three times the percentage wealthier families pay. Worse still, millions of Americans already owe past-due utility bills. The Census Household Pulse Survey found that $24 billion is owed collectively as of March 2025, up a shocking $6.5 billion from last year.
States like Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma will feel this energy bill hike this summer the most. Average energy bills in those states will hit $996, forcing people to make tough choices between electricity and other essentials. While some states and Washington, D.C. have protections that prevent utility companies from cutting off electricity during extreme heat, most states offer no such guarantee. That puts vulnerable people, especially seniors and those with health problems, at serious risk if they lose power during a heatwave.
The NTSB and health agencies have repeatedly warned that heat waves can quickly cause respiratory failure, heart attacks, and other life-threatening problems. That’s why shutting off utilities in the middle of summer is especially dangerous. Yet many states, including Louisiana and Texas, still allow shut-offs if people can’t pay their bills.
The energy bill hike this summer is projected to last at least until 2026, according to the EIA. This ongoing spike means households will need to plan ahead. Energy-saving habits like turning up the thermostat a few degrees or sealing drafty windows can save money. Some experts say small fixes like weather-stripping doors and windows can shave at least $83 off your bill. Others recommend investing in a smart thermostat or drawing blinds during the day to reduce cooling costs.
With utility debt skyrocketing and 21.2 million households already behind on payments, this energy bill hike this summer could spell disaster for millions. Finding relief will mean making tough choices, and preparing for summers to come.
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