Did you notice your latest bill from FPL hit you a bit harder in the pocketbook? Effective January 2, 2014, FPL raised rates for residential customers by about 5%, caused mostly by increased fuel charges. This change, approved by the Public Service Commission, also increased the non-fuel base electricity charge slightly. The fixed customer charge remained the same.

Bills with the higher charges are arriving in mailboxes now. Want to fight back? Fuel and non-fuel consumption is reduced by conserving energy or by producing your own energy with solar energy or other renewable energy sources. The best part about solar energy is that you shave off the most expensive energy first (your consumption above 1,000 kWh per month).

At my home, I’m not concerned much because, while I have the same rates as everyone else, my consumption is almost completely offset by solar energy production.

If you’re tired of ever-increasing energy rates and want to hedge against energy inflation, solar is the way to go!