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Massachusetts residents concerned over price hike in electric bills

Residents across the state have been noticing a recent hike in their electric bill this winter, despite attempts at conserving energy.

Many have been reaching out to Boston 25 and writing on community pages about electric bills going through the roof - and when they call their provider, they get the same answer.

"It's been a cold winter, that was their response," said Wanessa Mendes, of Weymouth. "They couldn't really explain the reason."

Wanessa lives with her mother in a condo in Weymouth and she tells us her bill this month came at a staggering $761 for single month's charge.

When they opened the bill, they thought it was a typo.

"761 dollars for a month - it broke the bank," said Mendes.

Mendes says her balance was completely paid off on January 5, and that both her and her mother work all day and keep the electric heat at 50 degrees when they're out and 60 when they're home.

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National Grid and Eversource told Boston 25 News the historic cold has prompted people to use more energy to keep their homes warm.

From the day after Christmas throughout the first week of January, our meteorologists say there were 13 consecutive days below freezing in Boston with a seven-day stretch below 20, making it one of the top three cold stretches.

Both utility companies are also telling us that supply rates have been higher due to the cold. National Grid went from 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour last winter to 12.7 cents this year. Eversource went from 10.3 to 12.9 cents per kilowatt hour.

Utility companies are telling customers to take a closer look at their bills and to make sure it shows an actual reading, not an estimate. That being said, National Grid tells us they did have estimates for storm reasons but it shouldn't be that much of a difference.

National Grid also tells us they always update the account after doing an actual reading.

Wanessa's bill, for example, was an actual reading, and she's now working with National Grid to do a budget plan where she pays a consistent amount throughout the year.

Utilities companies are also urging people to sign up for energy efficiency programs.

You can find more information on Eversource's energy efficiency program here. They also offer programs and information for those who are having difficulty paying their bills which you can find here.

National Grid wants its customers to know they have options to both manage their bills and reduce energy usage during the winter - all information can be found by clicking here. 

Residents can also sign up for home energy assessments provided by Mass Save, where any and all information can be found here. 

The state also offers information regarding basic service and service rates which can be found by accessing their website here.

They also say that, should customer find their bill is incorrect, they should first contact their utility provider. If they cannot resolve the issue with the provider, they should then contact the DPU.

If you're a resident looking to reduce the energy costs for your home, be wary of scams that promise a drastic cut on your energy bill.

Make sure to always check with your utility provider which options they can offer you that best suit your financial situation. The state has provided a comprehensive list of ways you can arrange to pay your bill if you're having issues paying your utility bill which you can find here.