Massachusetts ranks third nationally in utility costs

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – A new study found that Massachusetts residents pay the third highest utility bills in the country.

It’s no secret that our energy costs are high but Massachusetts residents have to pay extra close attention to their energy output.

A study by ‘This Old House Reviews’ says the average Massachusetts household pays close to $700 in utilities each month; only lower than Connecticut and Hawaii. Bill Stack, an energy efficiency expert with Eversource, told 22News one area of the home that highly contributes to wasted energy.

“Insulation levels, people aren’t aware of the fact that some of these homes in Massachusetts are older, and if they’re not aware that their walls may not have been insulated because they were built before codes required insulation. certain levels of insulation in your attic as well,” stated Stack.

Inflation has played a role in some of those numbers but not everything is up over the last year. Electricity costs have grown by five percent nationwide over the last 12 months, and natural gas and fuel, oil, though, have dropped by more than three. But, the numbers indicate that the burden is significantly lower for the average Bay Stater thanks to the state’s second-highest mean income.

On average, people spend just over six percent of their income on utilities. If you want to save money on your utility bill, make sure to always shut off appliances and electronics when not in use as well keeping a tight seal on all your doorways.