Floridians can expect higher electricity bills following last week’s cold snap, according to Duke Energy Florida. The company reports that as temperatures dropped, heating systems required more energy to keep homes warm.
Despite the anticipated increase in energy use, Duke Energy says that rates are still on a downward trend. Residential customers who use 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity will see a $33 reduction on their February bills compared to January, with an additional $11 decrease expected in March.
Duke Energy is also warning customers about the potential for increased scam activity. After a similar cold snap in February 2025, nearly 800 scam reports were made to the company. A comparable rise in scams is expected this month. Customers are advised to be cautious and familiarize themselves with common scam tactics.
To help those struggling with higher bills, Duke Energy offers several resources. Customers can request installment plans and due date extensions, utilize a payment assistance finder, and access programs such as the Share the Light Fund. The company also provides free home assessments and rebates for energy-efficiency improvements.
If customers encounter scams, they are encouraged to report them to law enforcement, Duke Energy, 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 serves 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida and owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity.
The parent company, Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It serves 8.4 million electric utility customers across six states and owns 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity nationwide. Its natural gas utilities reach 1.7 million customers in four states.
Duke Energy continues its transition toward cleaner energy sources while investing in grid upgrades and reliability improvements.
More information about services and updates can be found at duke-energy.com or through the company’s social media channels.
