Why Electric Bills Have Increased For Many Floridians

Are you like many Floridians who have opened their electric bills during these recent months and experienced sticker shock?

Some folks are seeing their monthly bills almost double. When it's disgustingly hot outside, it can be expected that electric bills will rise. But some of this seems outrageous.

So what's going. Our friends at WFLA News Channel 8 spoke with TECO spokesperson, Cheri Jacobs. She explained, "If you think about it, you know, in a typical summer, if it's 90 degrees, and you're setting your thermostat at, say 70, 72, you're lowering that temperature about 20 degrees. But right now, it feels like it's over 100. And so at that same thermostat setting, your air conditioning has to work extra hard to bring it down to the temperature that you want."

TECO users can also go into their accounts and see which appliances are pulling the most energy. That can help people determine appropriate usage.

If you're interested in finding out how you can save costs, look into TECO's energy-saving programs, including Prime Time
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This is a good time to evaluate your home's energy efficiency. And you can rest assured you are not alone if you are a Floridian receiving higher than usual electric bills.

If you're Floridian and electric bills are getting you down, you might be interested in places around the Tampa Bay area where rents are more affordable.

Trying to rent an affordable apartment or home in the Tampa Bay area can be rough, especially if you're on a budget. It's no secret that the cost of living in Tampa Bay has skyrocketed over the past few years. Thankfully, we found this list from Zumper.com of the most affordable places to rent in the Tampa Bay area. Note these are for 1 bedroom apartments. Prices get a little higher when searching for 2 bedroom places.

According to Zumper, the one bedroom median rent in Florida for the month of July was $1,674. The monthly national median rent is $1,702 (according to RentCafe). So we guess it could be slightly worse. One would normally guess the most expensive city for rentals is in the Miami area. But actually, the most expensive city to rent a one bedroom apartment in Florida is Venice. You'll have to cough up $2,260 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.  Don't expect these prices to stay "affordable" for long. Zumper predicts that these rental prices will increase 27.6% increase year-over-year.

You may be asking, if it's so expensive, why would someone even move to Florida? Well the year-round sunshine sure does beat shoveling snow for 6 months of the year. Plus you never really get tired of all the water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, or just tanning in the hot sun at our gorgeous beaches. We also love to root for our champion winning sports teams and dining at some of the country's best restaurants. Not to mention that no state income tax comes in handy when your rent is almost on par/more than the national average.

The median price for a 1 bedroom apartment in Bradenton is $1,570. Prices in this city usually stay around this average (at least for now). There's plenty to see and do in this area, including checking out the clear blue waters at Anna Maria Island, or trying some new brews at Motorworks Brewery.

Expect Largo to be another fast growing Florida city. With it's central location to Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete, it makes it a great location for newcomers. Plus, they'll have the first drive-thru Wawa in Florida! Not that that should be the highest priority on your list, but it is a bonus! The median rent for a one bedroom apartment in Largo is $1,560. Two bedrooms are only about $300 more.

That's right, the home to the best beach in the south is also one of the more affordable Tampa Bay area cities for rental. That is, if you don't plan on living directly on the beach. The median one bedroom rental price in Clearwater is $1,510. But expect to pay over $600 more for a two bedroom place.

Same perks as Bradenton, just a little more inland. This means that the one bedroom rental prices are about $200 cheaper. The median price according to Zumper is $1,380.

We wish Tarpon Springs would get more love when talking about the best cities in Tampa Bay. There's so much culture in the area that leaves you with countless of things to do. Check out Fred Howard park, the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, or enjoy some authentic Greek food! The median one-bedroom cost here is $1,340.

Lakeland is also one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. With it being in the middle of Tampa and Orlando, many see the best of both worlds in that city. Plus there are some great shopping and dining options in Downtown Lakeland! The median one bedroom rental here is $1,320 and only $100 more for a two bedroom!

The number 1 city in the Tampa Bay area with the cheapest rent is Winter Haven. This area has 50 lakes within its borders, including its famous Chain of Lakes. It's also super close to some other popular fresh-water springs. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment here is $1,250 and is $1,460 for a two bedroom!