The cost of keeping the lights on is rising – and this week’s extreme heat will make that affordability crisis even worse. According to a survey we conducted this winter of over 550 Marylanders, 75% said their utility bill increased in the last year. Nearly 20% said their bills increased by over $250.

As temperatures skyrocket and households struggle to stay cool, July utility bills may break as many records as the heat index. Read on for tips to stay cool – and ways you can join the fight to reduce surging energy prices.

Know How to Stay Cool

Fans, which circulate the air without additional cooling, can actually be dangerous in temperatures over 90 degrees. Cool or cold water is the best way to beat the heat if your air conditioning isn’t doing enough. You can put ice in front of a fan, apply cooling wraps or towels soaked in cold water to your neck, or take a shower in cold water. If you have to be outside, wear light clothing and a hat, apply sunscreen, and stay in the shade as much as possible. Whether you are inside or outside, stay hydrated! Drink 8-10 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes when active. If you are outside or sweating heavily, drink coconut water or sports drinks, or electrolyte tablets to replenish sodium and potassium.

Know Your Rights

Bad news for BGE customers: BGE can resume residential shut-offs for non-payment starting on July 15th. However, utility companies may not shut off your energy when the temperatures are projected to hit at least 95 degrees. That means your electricity cannot be shut off during this heat wave.

Know How to Get Help Today

The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) energy assistance program helps low-income households with home energy bills. For more information and instructions to apply, go here

OHEP also manages a critical medical needs program. If someone in your house has a chronic health condition or relies on electricity for medical devices, you may qualify for faster energy assistance including assistance paying your bill. Baltimore City and County residents can call 443-222-1221 between 9am and 3pm for help applying for this program.

There is more relief on the horizon. Starting January 1, 2027, if you qualify for energy assistance you will automatically be enrolled in a program to offer low-income households discounted rates on their utility bills. The program will cap utility bills at 6% of annual income. Apply for energy assistance today or look for more information from your energy provider!

Looking to lower your energy bill ASAP? Sign up for community solar! Subscribe to receive energy from a local solar farm, and the cost-savings will be automatically applied to your bill. Subscribers typically save 5-10% on their annual energy costs. Find out more – and see if your energy provider participates in the program – here.

Join the Fight for Affordable Energy

Our skyrocketing bills are only partly due to extreme weather and increased household energy use. Energy hogs, particularly data centers, are driving up supply costs. Energy companies are driving up ‘delivery costs’, or the costs you pay to bring the energy to your home – pocketing massive profits at OUR expense.

Over the last two years Economic Action Maryland Fund has been proud to support reforms that will reduce corporate profiteering. We have fought to make sure utility companies can’t charge you for private jets or excessive CEO salaries. And we supported reforms that would curtail shell-games like multi-year rate setting, which lock in higher rates for customers based on industry projections.

Our advocacy work is far from over!

This summer we will be working to:

• Ensure the new rates that BGE requests put customers, not corporate profits, first;
• Require the Public Service Commission to aggressively implement legislative reforms that seek to lower corporate rate-gouging;
• Educate legislators on the importance of bold reforms that would provide meaningful rate relief to all Marylanders.

Tenants should download our Air Conditioning Fact Sheet if your air conditioning isn’t working, and your landlord is refusing to fix it in a timely manner. You have rights!