Kansas City’s in for a hot summer. Here’s what it could mean for your power bill
Kansas and Missouri are expected to see an electricity bill increase of around 7% this summer compared to last year — and the true cost could be even higher if extreme heat passes through the metro.
A new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate projects that electric bills will reach their highest level in 10 years across the country this summer, with an average increase of 7.9% since last year.
The part of the Midwest that includes Kansas and Missouri is expected to see a 7.1% increase on bills this summer, totaling around $44 extra per household. But electric bills could be even higher depending on the weather.
“Due to the unprecedented rise in summer temperatures and higher rates of extreme heat events over the last ten years, the cost of summer cooling has risen from $476 in 2014 to a predicted $719 in 2024,” the report states.
That’s bad news for Kansas Citians, since experts predict a hotter-than-usual summer in the metro this year. Here’s a closer look at what factors will impact energy bills in Kansas City this summer.
Energy costs rising nationwide
The cost of electricity is rising nationwide, imposing a financial burden on low-income families. The groups behind the new report partially credit high electricity costs to severe weather.
“While the cost of winter heating is falling back to pre-pandemic levels, cooling costs continue to increase as summer temperatures continue to break national records,” the utility industry think tanks state in their April 2024 Energy Hardship Report.
The overall cost per kilowatt-hour, the standard unit used to measure individual electricity usage, has also increased in recent years. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price per kWh has risen by around 32% in the past 10 years, from 13.1 cents in 2014 to 17.3 cents in 2024.
This price increase has been especially pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
A hot summer on the way
The summer of 2023 was the hottest in at least 2,000 years. Summer 2022 also set records for punishing heat — at the time, August 2022 was the hottest August on record in North America and Europe. And experts expect this summer to break records again.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there’s a 61% chance that 2024 will beat 2023 as the hottest year on record globally. And some of this extreme heat is likely to reach Kansas City.
Over the coming three months, the National Weather Service predicts a 33%-40% chance that the metro will see above-average temperatures. That trend may continue into the early fall: For the three-month period of August, September and October, the chance of above-average temperatures jumps to 40%-50%.
Average temperatures are calculated based on monthly averages recorded between 1981 and 2010.
The broadening time frame for heat waves in the U.S. has caused NEADA to classify September as a “cooling month,” when many households still use large amounts of electricity on cooling. This definition is at odds with some state or utility-specific summer bill relief programs, which don’t extend beyond the end of August.
Summer time-based plan rates
Evergy’s summer rates on its four time-based rate plans went into effect on June 1, boosting rates for all customers during certain times of the day.
Customers on the Summer Peak Time-Based Plan aren’t the only ones who will see an increase on their electric bills during the peak hours of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. In fact, with a few exceptions, in the Summer Peak Time-Based Plan, the price of one kWh of electricity is higher in the summer than in the winter during every time of day on every rate plan.
Switching to a different time-based rate plan may save you money depending on when in the day you use the most electricity — and it’s as easy as clicking a few buttons on Evergy’s website.
To compare and switch, navigate to the Manage Account tab on Evergy’s website and choose “Compare My Rate” under the Rate Information subheading. Then select the rate that will cost you the lowest amount annually and choose “Change my Plan.” Your selection should go into effect on the next business day.
What can I do to combat high electricity bills this summer?
Low and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle with energy bills and to keep their homes at unsafe temperatures in order to avoid high electricity costs, the 2024 Summer Outlook states. And when customers fall behind on their bills, help is more difficult to find than in past years.
The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is the largest source of energy bill assistance in the U.S. You can apply for assistance from this program through the Missouri Department of Social Services. Eligibility is based on your income, savings and residency in Missouri.
Last year, Congress authorized a total of $6.1 billion in funds to help families pay overdue energy bills. This year, they only authorized around $4.1 billion, representing an end to supplemental funding approved during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Missouri allows residents to apply for LIHEAP assistance year-round, Kansas only distributes these funds during the winter months. In response, Evergy spokesperson Courtney Lewis told The Star that the company has launched a fund called Evergy Cares to assist low-income Kansas customers with overdue bills.
You can receive up to $200 toward your overdue bills if you make under 200% of the federal poverty limit, and up to $400 if you are also a senior or receive Social Security income due to a disability.
Missouri has a “Hot Weather Law” that prohibits utility companies from shutting off service when daytime temperatures the following day are projected to reach 95 degrees or above. While Kansas has no such law, Lewis added that Evergy voluntarily follows this same rule for its Kansas customers.
Here are a few other ways you can get help paying your electricity bill:
Switch your Evergy time-based rate plan to a cheaper option
See if you qualify for Evergy’s Economic Relief Pilot Program in partnership with the Salvation Army
Evergy’s website also recommends applying for an Earned Income Tax Credit through the IRS
You can get help navigating assistance through Evergy by emailing evergyconnect@evergy.com or visiting the company’s financial assistance department at 1700 Paseo in Kansas City.
Evergy also offers an Average Payment Plan, which evens out your bills over the course of the year, as well as adjustable due dates on bills for those who receive Social Security benefits. These programs may make paying your bill easier, although they do not decrease the amount you owe.
Do you have more questions about utility costs in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
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