These days, when I open the window in the morning, the air feels completely different. The moment I reach for the heater button, I remember last January's Pepco bill.

I remember sitting there in shock after opening that bill. I can still vividly recall grabbing a handful of frozen blueberries to help me recover mentally.

So this winter, I decided to do some research ahead of time. If you're a Pepco customer in Montgomery County, including Gaithersburg, let's check this together.

First, let's look at why last year's bill was so high. According to Pepco, December 2025 and January 2026 were among the coldest months in the last decade.

It's natural for usage to increase when it's cold because we run the heating more. But it wasn't just the weather.

According to data from the Maryland Office of People's Counsel (OPC), the Pepco electric supply rate in winter 2026 was 13.6 cents per kWh. In winter 2025, it was 12.2 cents, so the rate itself had gone up.

The EmPOWER energy efficiency program charge also jumped from $0.013790 per kWh to $0.020618 in January 2026. According to OPC calculations, for a household using 900 kWh a month, this means an increase of $6.15, bringing the total to $18.56 per month.

Honestly, I had never really noticed this item on my bill. It's a bit frustrating to see how one small line can grow so large.

The distribution charges, which cover the costs of wires and poles, have also continued to rise. According to OPC, since 2020, distribution rates have increased from 4.6 cents per kWh to 6.2 cents, a 33% increase.

So what about this winter? So far, a rate increase decision has been made.

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a Pepco rate increase of $50.9 million for August 2026. This is less than half of the $119.9 million Pepco initially requested.

Reports indicate that this translates to an increase of $3.94 per month for the average residential customer. This is definitely lower than the $10.24 per month Pepco initially requested. The impact on residential customers in Montgomery County is projected to be 2.25%.

Pepco originally planned to raise distribution rates by 15% in summer and 33% in winter. However, I couldn't find information on how the final approved amounts were divided by season.

For reference, Pepco Maryland's winter rates apply for 7 months of the year, while summer rates apply for 5 months. So winter is actually longer than you might expect.

I also looked at the rates set by OPC as of November 2026. The distribution rate is $0.04667 per kWh, supply is $0.12681 per kWh, transmission is $0.02101 per kWh, and the basic customer charge is $8.67 per month.

If you simply add EmPOWER, it comes out to 21.5 cents per kWh. However, OPC also noted that actual bills may vary due to weather and usage adjustments.

There are also variables on the supply side. OPC explains that Pepco customers began seeing increases starting with the August bill due to a significant rise in auction prices in the capacity market.

Ultimately, the rate is something I can't control. So I've put together a list of things I can do.

The first is budget billing. This method averages your usage over the past 12 months so you pay the same amount each month.

This helps prevent a sudden spike in winter, which is definitely good for mental health. However, you should know that once a year, your actual usage will be reconciled, and any difference will be billed.

The second is a free energy audit. According to OPC, you can call Pepco and request a free home energy audit through the EmPOWER program.

During the audit, you might receive energy-saving products for free. Since we're already paying for this program, it's beneficial to take advantage of it.

The third is sealing gaps. Weather stripping and window sealing are easy to find at local stores, making it perfect weekend projects. If your front door lets in drafts, you'll feel the difference right away.

The fourth is usage alerts. You can check your usage on the Pepco My Account and set alerts, so you can catch it before the bill arrives.

If finances are tight, be sure to look into state energy assistance. Maryland's OHEP allows you to apply for heating assistance MEAP and electric bill assistance EUSP at the same time.

According to 211 Maryland, assistance for the 2026-2027 season is expected to increase by up to 32%. OHEP also plans to launch a new fuel assistance program on January 1, 2027.

Applications for Montgomery County can be made at the Rockville office at 1301 Piccard Drive, or by calling 240-777-4450. Income guidelines change every year, so be sure to check before applying.

If I were you, I would apply for budget billing this week and schedule the energy audit date. Weather stripping can be the homework for the following weekend.

While it's frustrating that rates are going up, knowing in advance makes it less scary. This winter, I hope that instead of blueberries, a warm cup of tea will be enough when I open the bill.