{"id":18858,"date":"2021-05-12T13:17:23","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T13:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/?p=18858"},"modified":"2021-05-12T13:17:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T13:17:23","slug":"extreme-weather-causing-higher-utility-bills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anthonydidonato.net\/wordpress\/extreme-weather-causing-higher-utility-bills\/","title":{"rendered":"Extreme Weather Causing Higher Utility Bills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Extreme Weather Causing Higher Utility Bills<\/h1>\n
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Over the past 12 months, extreme weather\u2014which has ranged from heat waves to forest fires to unexpected frigid temperatures\u2014has caused not only caused damage to homes but also prompted higher electricity bills for a growing number of homeowners nationwide, according to a new study from Sense, a home energy management resource.<\/p>\n

In a survey of more than 1,100 homeowners, Sense researchers found that nearly half\u2014or 48%\u2014of owners are looking for ways to reduce electricity consumption to help cut those higher costs from climate change. For example, some homeowners are taking steps to better maintain or upgrade their HVAC system, adding insulation, or upgrading their windows.<\/p>\n

Weather disaster events in 2020 led to $95 billion in damages, more than double the 41-year average of $45.7 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2020 saw a record number of named Atlantic storms and large wildfires recorded in California. What\u2019s more, Tornado Alley residents in the Midwest and South saw a record-breaking number of storms along with frigid temperatures last year.<\/p>\n

Homeowners located in Tornado Alley\u2014an area that stretches from northern Texas to South Dakota\u2014reported the largest impact from extreme weather in 2020 compared to other regions in the U.S. Seventy-six percent of homeowners in that region reported personally experiencing extreme weather\u2014compared to 53% in other areas of the country. Also, 59% of homeowners reported seeing higher utility bills or their home’s damage compared to 36% of the rest of the country, according to the Sense study.<\/p>\n

As a result of such costly damages and high alert weather patterns, more than half\u201454%\u2014of all homeowners surveyed reported being concerned about climate change due to extreme weather.<\/p>\n

Looking for Ways to Reduce Energy Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nearly half of homeowners looked for ways to reduce their home\u2019s electricity consumption or took steps to improve the efficiency of their heating and cooling systems. But Sense researchers said that many homeowners also overlooked some more practical solutions, too. Here are a few retrofits that could make a difference, according to Sense:<\/p>\n