Your Tampa Bay Electric Bill Is Changing in 2026: What TECO and Duke Energy Customers Need to Know

What’s Changing and When

Tampa Bay utility customers are navigating a split picture in 2026, and the details matter for your household budget.

Tampa Electric (TECO) customers are seeing a base rate increase of $8.88 per 1,000 kWh. On top of that, the storm cost recovery surcharge — currently $19.95 per month — remains in effect through July 2026. The good news: that surcharge is scheduled to drop off in August 2026, which will provide meaningful relief on bills during the peak summer cooling season.

Duke Energy Florida customers are getting better news. A rate decrease of $44.16 per month takes effect in March 2026, providing immediate relief as spring cooling season ramps up.

If you’re unsure which utility serves your area, TECO generally covers Tampa and surrounding Hillsborough County communities, while Duke Energy serves portions of Pasco, Pinellas, and surrounding areas.

Why Rates Are Moving

The story behind TECO’s increase comes down to two back-to-back major hurricanes. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread damage to TECO’s transmission and distribution infrastructure, and the utility is recovering approximately $464 million in storm-related restoration costs. That recovery is being spread across the customer base through the storm surcharge.

TECO is also investing in grid hardening — underground lines, stronger poles, and infrastructure upgrades designed to reduce the damage and restoration time from future storms. These investments improve long-term reliability but add to near-term rate pressure.

Duke Energy’s decrease reflects a different set of factors, including the ongoing expansion of its solar generation portfolio and favorable fuel cost adjustments that the utility is passing through to customers.

How Your HVAC System Affects Your Bill

Here’s something worth understanding clearly: in Florida, your HVAC system accounts for 40–60% of your total electric bill. That’s not a typo. Our climate demands more cooling hours per year than nearly anywhere else in the continental United States, and heating needs — while modest — add to that load in winter months.

This means your HVAC system is, by far, the biggest lever you have for controlling your energy costs.

SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measure how efficiently an air conditioner converts electricity into cooling. An older 10 SEER system might be doing the same cooling work as a new 18 SEER system — but using nearly twice the electricity. With TECO’s rates increasing, that efficiency gap costs real money every month.

A rough rule of thumb: every 1 SEER point of improvement reduces cooling energy use by about 7%. Moving from a 10 SEER to a 16 SEER system can cut your cooling costs by roughly 40%.

Strategies to Offset Rate Increases

You don’t have to absorb utility increases passively. These strategies give you control:

• Smart thermostat — Setting your home to 78°F when occupied and 82°F when away can reduce cooling costs by 10–15%. A programmable thermostat makes this effortless
• Air sealing — Gaps around doors, windows, and duct connections let conditioned air escape. Sealing these leaks is one of the highest-ROI home improvements available
• Annual AC maintenance — A well-tuned system runs up to 25% more efficiently than a neglected one. Dirty coils, low refrigerant, and worn components all cost you money every month they go unaddressed — see our AC maintenance service page for what’s included
• Filter discipline — Replace your air filter every 1–3 months. A clogged filter forces the system to work harder and longer, driving up your bill
• High-SEER upgrade — If your system is 10–15 years old, the math often favors replacement. Monthly energy savings can substantially offset equipment and installation costs

The Long View: August and Beyond

For TECO customers, August 2026 is worth circling on the calendar. When the storm surcharge expires, you’ll see an immediate reduction in your monthly bill — right during the most expensive cooling months of the year. Combined with any efficiency improvements you make now, the timing sets up well for more manageable summer bills.

It’s also a good time to look at available rebates and tax credits. The federal Inflation Reduction Act extended tax credits for high-efficiency HVAC equipment through 2032, covering up to 30% of the cost of qualifying systems. Florida utilities periodically offer rebates as well — ask us about current programs when you call.

At Bart DePury Air Conditioning, we’ve been helping Tampa Bay homeowners get the most from their HVAC systems since 1982. Whether you’re looking to tune up what you have or make a strategic upgrade before summer, we’re here to help you make the right call for your home and budget.

Call (813) 247-2278 to schedule a consultation.