Summer energy costs put pressure on Texas homeowners

Texas summers can lead to more than sunburns for homeowners as utility costs rise exponentially during July and August, which are typically the hottest months of the year.

Caroline Tinsley Porter, media relations specialist for Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), said Texas residents pay an average of 11.17 cents per Kilowatt hour (kwh), which is below the U.S. average of 13.02 cents per kwh.

Porter said that there are several factors involved when calculating energy costs, which include the capital costs to build power plants, operation costs to operate the plant and the cost of fuel to run the facility.