For Florida retirees, the air conditioning bill is often the second-largest expense after housing. In 2026, that bill became a source of confusion and frustration. While usage naturally dips in the cooler months of January and February, many seniors opening their statements this winter are finding that their total amount due has not dropped as expected.
The reason lies in a series of rate cases and “pass-through” charges approved by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) late last year. These are not simple rate hikes; they are specific line-item fees designed to pay for last year’s hurricane season, grid hardening, and volatile natural gas prices. For seniors on fixed incomes, these charges feel hidden because they appear even if you use minimal power. Here are the six specific utility charges that Florida seniors are reporting on their bills right now.
1. The “Storm Recovery” Hangover (TECO & Duke)
The 2024 and 2025 hurricane seasons were expensive, and utilities are now collecting the tab. If you are a Tampa Electric (TECO) customer, you are currently paying a “Storm Surcharge” that runs through August 2026.
For a typical home using 1,000 kWh, this adds approximately $20 per month to the bill. This is not for current electricity; it is a debt payment for the poles and wires fixed after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Duke Energy customers are also seeing a similar charge, though Duke recently announced plans to end their storm charge early in February/March 2026. Until that drop-off happens, however, January and February bills remain inflated by this massive cleanup debt.
2. The FPL “Base Rate” Step-Up
Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers entered 2026 under a new four-year rate settlement. While the utility touts its rates as being below the national average, a new “base rate” increase kicked in on January 1, 2026.
For the typical customer in Peninsular Florida, this added roughly $2.50 to $3.00 to the monthly base charge. While small in isolation, this hike is permanent and compounds with other fees. It is part of a larger multi-year plan to generate nearly $1 billion in new revenue for solar expansion and grid hardening. Seniors who budgeted for a flat bill are seeing this “creep” slowly eat into their COLA.
3. The “Minimum Bill” Trap (Duke Energy)
Many “snowbirds” and frugal seniors try to save money by turning off their AC and using almost no power during the winter months. For Duke Energy customers, this strategy no longer works as well due to the $30 Minimum Bill.
Instituted to ensure everyone pays for the grid, this rule means that even if you use $5 worth of electricity while visiting grandkids up north, your bill will automatically round up to $30. For seniors who pride themselves on extreme conservation, this mandatory floor feels like a penalty for being efficient. You cannot conserve your way below this number.
4. The “Fuel Adjustment” Spike (GRU & Lakeland)
While base rates are set for years, the “fuel adjustment” can change rapidly. Municipal utilities like Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) and Lakeland Electric had to raise their fuel charges in response to a winter spike in natural gas prices.
GRU increased its fuel adjustment from 40 to 45 mills effective February 1, 2026. This is a direct pass-through cost. Because natural gas is the primary fuel for Florida power plants, a cold snap in the rest of the country drives up the price of gas, which instantly drives up the electric bill in Gainesville. This volatile surcharge catches seniors off guard because it fluctuates independently of their local weather.
5. The “Outside City Limits” Surcharge
A contentious issue in 2026 involves municipal utilities charging extra fees to customers who live just outside the city limits. Under Florida law, cities can add a surcharge of up to 25% (and in some cases proposed up to 50%) to the water and electric bills of non-residents.
Seniors living in unincorporated areas of counties served by city utilities are seeing these surcharges itemized more clearly due to new transparency bills (like SB 1420) moving through the legislature. While the transparency is good, it highlights a painful reality: you are paying a “tax” to a city government you cannot vote for, simply because you live one street over from the boundary.
6. The “Grid Modernization” Rider
Finally, almost all Florida seniors are seeing a rise in the “Storm Protection Plan” (SPP) cost recovery clause. This is a separate line item from the “Storm Recovery” charge mentioned above.
- Storm Recovery: Pays for damage that already happened.
- Storm Protection (SPP): Pays for future hardening (burying power lines, strengthening poles).
In 2026, utilities have ramped up spending on these undergrounding projects. While it increases reliability during hurricanes, it adds a monthly fee that acts like an insurance premium. You are effectively pre-paying for the next storm every single month.
Read the Line Items
In 2026, looking at the “Total Due” is not enough. You must look at the breakdown. If you see a “Storm Surcharge” or “Fuel Adjustment” that seems high, know that these are state-approved variances. You can’t negotiate them, but understanding them prevents the panic that you accidentally left the oven on.
Did your Duke Energy bill drop yet, or is the storm charge still there? Leave a comment below—tell us your zip code!
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