Floridians can expect higher electricity bills following last week’s cold weather, according to Duke Energy Florida. The company said that as temperatures dropped, heating systems used more energy, leading to increased power usage.
Despite the recent spike in consumption, Duke Energy noted that residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity will see a $33 reduction on their February bills compared to January. Another $11 decrease is expected in March.
The company also warned about an increase in scam activity after cold snaps. In February 2025, nearly 800 scam reports were made to Duke Energy following similar weather conditions. The utility expects a comparable rise this month and urges customers to be cautious and learn how to identify common scams.
To assist those facing higher bills, Duke Energy offers payment plans, due date extensions, and access to assistance programs such as the Share the Light Fund. Customers are encouraged to use the payment assistance finder and consider energy-efficiency solutions like free home assessments and rebates for improvement projects.
Duke Energy advises anyone who suspects fraudulent activity to report it to law enforcement, the company itself, and the Better Business Bureau.
“Duke Energy has a dedicated team ready to provide our customers with the individualized support they need,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s my hope they will come directly to us so we can help them get back on track as quickly as possible and avoid opportunistic, increasingly sophisticated scams.”
Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida and serves about 2 million customers. Its parent company operates electric utilities serving over 8 million customers across several states and is investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources such as natural gas, nuclear power, renewables, and storage technologies.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and through the company’s social media channels.
