Today's Article

"When it's extremely cold out, you're going to have to run your 4furnace or your gas fireplace."

According to recent data, Americans paid about 7% more for electricity this past November than last November.

Slocum says one reason energy costs are up is higher delivery costs.

Let's look at this Con Edison bill for a home in the New York area. The total bill is just under $500. The delivery fee is more than half the total.

So what is a delivery fee?

According to Con Ed, those fees help cover the costs to build, 5maintain and 6operate infrastructure.

"You've got to be able to deliver that electricity from the 7power plant, across 8transmission lines, the 9distribution lines on your street."

All of that costs money to maintain.

And across the country, artificial intelligence data centers are also 10fueling rising costs.

"The problem is all of the computers that run these chips in this AI are incredibly electricity hungry."

Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy says many AI data centers use natural gas 11generated electricity because it's cheap.

"That is hitting all of us because of the huge 12demand now for natural gas."

De Haan says lowering your 13thermostat by even a few degrees can make a big difference on your bill.

Slocum suggests upgrading your windows and doors to keep cold air out.

He also says if you're concerned about rising costs, you can contact your local leaders. He says distribution fees are approved by state 14regulators.