We’re Here to Answer Your Questions
We’ve heard your questions about increased energy costs and Florida Public Utilities’ (FPU) current rate case with the Florida Public Service Commission. This page provides answers to help you understand your bill and learn how FPU is improving electric service in your area.
FAQ’s
FPU has requested an increase in its base charges; however, you can expect your overall bill to go down – not up. FPU’s rate case with the Florida Public Service Commission, along with steps FPU has taken to lower energy costs, are expected to have the net effect of lowering bills for customers, while enabling us to make necessary investments in grid reliability and resiliency throughout our electric service territory in Florida. As a result, the average residential electric customer using 1000 kWh per month will see their electric bill decrease between December 2024 and January 2026 (see cost calculation below).
Understanding your bill:
(see figure below for more details on how rate adjustments affect the average monthly bill)
- The average FPU customer, using 1000 kWh per month, saw their bill decrease by $19.12 starting in January 2025 due to steps FPU has taken to reduce fuel rates – which have the largest impact on total cost for most customers.
- That same customer will see an increase of $14.91 on their April 2025 bill as we seek to recover investments FPU has made in local grid reliability, resiliency and safety.
- In January 2026, the average customer will see another decrease of $12.80, as we remove the Hurricane Michael storm charge
- Thanks to FPU’s efforts to lower energy costs and enhance grid reliability, the average customer will see their monthly bill decrease by $17.01 between 2024 and 2026—all while benefiting from a stronger, more resilient energy system.
Record low temperatures, bringing unprecedented snowfall, have led to significant increases in energy use for residents and businesses across northern Florida. Customers who heat their homes with electricity are likely seeing significant increases in their monthly electric bills compared to prior years. No matter what the season, the biggest impact on your monthly bill comes from how much electricity you use.
Keep in mind, your electric bill has two main components:
- fixed charges (listed on your bill as “customer charge”) and
- variable charges [listed on your bill as “base energy,*” “PPA,” and “Storm Charge (Hurricane Michael).”]
*Please note: the base energy charge line item listed on your bill also includes an energy conservation cost recovery charge and a storm protection plan cost recovery charge.
The customer charge is a fixed amount that does not change based on how much electricity you use. For the average residential customer using 1000kWh per month, the customer charge is approximately 8.5% of the total bill.
The variable charges are calculated based on how much electricity you use each month, measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). It is also important to note that FPU uses a tiered pricing structure. This means that the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) increases once you use more than 1,000kWh in a month. Thus, the more electricity you use, the more it costs per unit. The variable charges, for a customer using 1000kWh per month, make up 91.5% of the total bill.
Variable charges are the largest part of the bill — and the part that you control. When electricity usage spikes due to cold weather or other consumption trends, consumers will see a significant increase in their monthly bills.
The best way to lower your monthly bill is to use less electricity. For ideas on how to lower your monthly usage, please visit our energy savings page.
For customers having difficulty affording their bills, FPU is here to help set up a payment plan and connect you with assistance programs. Please visit our energy assistance page.
Yes, FPU partners with Authorized Walk-In Payment Centers to offer customers the convenience of paying a Florida Public Utilities bill in person and/or with cash.
Simply walk into any location of the following brands to make a payment today.
FPU continues to invest in infrastructure across the state to ensure power is there when you need it. We’re upgrading substations across our service territories and installing distribution automation equipment, which will help isolate outages and minimize the impact to customers. We’re also continuing our ongoing Storm Protection Plan, which hardens the distribution system with more robust poles and wire, and continuous vegetation management.
Over the last year, our system improvements have reduced the frequency and duration of outages by 30%.
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There are many assistance programs available as well as payment extension programs to assist customers who are having difficulties paying their electric bill.
Learn about your energy use and find smart ways to save when you sign up for a free energy checkup. Just check the signup block below.
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