By Sudan Britton

Citing rising natural gas costs — which are three times higher than in April of 2020 — and lingering expenses from multiple hurricanes, a flood and an unexpected ice storm, Entergy has announced a rise in rates for many of its Louisiana customers.

Entergy Customer Service Vice President Yovanka Daniel said the higher-than-normal costs will be reflected in customer’s bills as increases to the fuel adjustment fee  throughout the summer and “until there is some relief on commodity prices.”

“On average, a typical customer using 1,000 kWh can expect to see roughly a $9-$10 increase on their Entergy bill beginning in June to go towards those restoration costs,” Daniel said.

Daniel said the company is doing everything it can to accommodate the needs of customers who are facing these increases.

For customers struggling to make payments, Entergy said it offers payment assistance plans, which include deferred payment arrangements for up to 12 months, and payment extensions with waived late fees, level-billing, auto-pay, LIHEAP, pick-a-date and more.

The company also offered do-it-yourself energy efficiency tips:

• Change air filters. Air filters on some air conditioning units require monthly cleaning or replacing.

• Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature. Every degree lower than 78 can raise a bill as much as 3 percent.

• Buy a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can help manage costs, is controllable, and can help monitor usage.

• Use fans to cool off. Ceiling fans, box fans, and oscillating fans use very little electricity to circulate the air. Make sure ceiling fans are rotating in the right direction — counter-clockwise during summer — to push cooler air down into the room. Be sure to turn all fans off in unused rooms.

• Close blinds, shades, and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.

• Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows, and ductwork. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air in and the hot air out.

“Thank you for your patience, understanding, and sense of community during what was a difficult time,” Daniel said.