Frigid winter brings high utility costs to Philly customers

Driving the news: PECO, the Philly region's largest energy provider, and Philadelphia Gas Works both saw significant increases in energy usage this winter, spokespeople for the companies tell Axios.

By the numbers: PECO residential customers used 12% more electricity and 19% more natural gas in January compared to typical winter averages over the past 10 years, per a company spokesperson.

• Plus: On Feb. 7, PECO recorded its highest demand ever for natural gas.

Meanwhile, PGW customers used roughly 40% more gas during a cold snap between Jan. 24 and Feb. 9, per the utility.

• In January, the average PGW residential bill was nearly $237, up from $198 last year.

Worth noting: Customer bills will vary on usage and several other factors, like the size of a space and the efficiency of a home's appliances.

Context: Philly is coming off its snowiest and coldest winter in at least 10 years, per a social media post from the National Weather Service's Mount Holly outpost.

• Total snowfall hit 30.1 inches (measured at Philadelphia International Airport).

• And average temps were 33.3 degrees — 2.8 degrees lower than the 1991–2020 average.

Flashback: Both PECO and PGW raised their rates last year.

Follow the money: PECO, an investor-owned utility, hauled in $814 million in net profits last year, up a whopping 47.7%, per WHYY.

What they're saying: PECO spokesperson Candice Womer tells Axios that fluctuations in supply costs are also driving up bills.

• She added that supply costs have risen by as much as 80% over the past few years, and supply has not kept pace with demand.

What else: Demands on the region's electrical power grid are also growing, fueled in part by energy-hungry data centers that power artificial intelligence.