Bold statement: Utility bills can spike dramatically in severe weather, threatening households’ stability and safety. But here’s where it gets controversial: some customers feel the impact is disproportionate and worry about long-term affordability as cold snaps return. And this is the part most people miss—insight into why weather-driven usage spikes happen and what can be done to mitigate them.
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) — Dominion Energy customers are reporting substantially higher-than-usual bills this month. For a number of households, costs have doubled or even tripled compared with typical winter charges.
Amanda Simpson, a single mother of two who works six days a week, received a January bill from Dominion Energy totaling $797. She notes this is about three times her usual winter bill of around $250.
“This is almost as much as my rent,” she said. “I work hard to keep a roof over our heads, and if we lose electricity, we can’t stay in our home.”
Dominion Energy spokesperson Craig Carper attributed the spike to last month’s freezing, sustained cold weather. He explained that January was the coldest in more than 15 years, and the three-week stretch of extreme cold was the longest since the 1940s in this region. He noted that cold conditions force utilities to operate more intensively, even if residents don’t touch their thermostats, because equipment must run to maintain service in frigid temps.
“The teens will stress your system,” Carper said.
Simpson said she is taking every possible step to limit costs.
“Every light goes out at night. We’re not home during the day,” she said.
Jeff Labrecque, owner of Koala Insulation of Richmond, reports a surge in inquiries from homeowners seeking energy-efficiency improvements. His team focuses first on crawl space issues—moisture, pests, old insulation—and then turns to the attic, where significant heat loss often occurs.
Homeowners can save by swapping to LED lighting and applying weather stripping to doors, Labrecque said. However, a professional assessment can yield a more comprehensive fix that pays off over time.
“I’d estimate savings of roughly 40% to 60% on your energy bill, depending on when your home was built and how severe the inefficiencies are,” he stated.
Simpson emphasized her determination to keep the lights on for her children.
“My children are my top priority. Our home is where they feel safe—their bed is there. If we don’t have heat or electricity, we risk becoming homeless,” she said.
Dominion officials voiced optimism that February bills will be lower, citing warmer weather.
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