Floridians can expect higher electricity bills following a recent cold snap, according to Duke Energy Florida. The company said that colder temperatures led to increased energy use as heating systems worked harder to keep homes warm.
Despite the anticipated rise in energy usage, Duke Energy noted that rates are set to decrease. Residential customers using 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.
The utility also warned about a possible increase in scam activity targeting customers. After a similar weather event in February 2025, nearly 800 scam reports were made to Duke Energy. The company expects another uptick this month and is encouraging customers to be cautious and learn how to recognize common scams.
To help those facing higher bills or potential financial difficulties, Duke Energy is offering several forms of assistance. Customers can request installment plans and due date extensions, use the payment assistance finder tool, and access programs such as the Share the Light Fund. The company also provides free home energy assessments and rebates for improvement projects aimed at reducing long-term energy consumption.
Duke Energy urges anyone who encounters suspected fraud attempts to report them 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 with an energy capacity of 12,300 megawatts serving approximately 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Parent company Duke Energy is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and serves more than 8 million electric utility customers across six states. It owns over 54 gigawatts of energy capacity nationwide and is investing in grid upgrades as well as cleaner power sources including renewables and energy storage.
More information about customer resources and ongoing initiatives can be found at duke-energy.com or through the company’s official social media channels.
