Weather goes in cycles, and chances are it will change later in the summer to allow more characteristic heat and humidity, Miner said. Baltimore's daily record highs for August tend to be 100 degrees or more, he added. Metro area records show that the temperature has hit 105 degrees three times in August, most recently in 1983.
"You can't count summer out yet. You can only count it out come November," Miner said.
Wayne Harbaugh, BGE's vice president for regulatory affairs, said electricity consumption has decreased due to favorable weather.
"The weather has been cooler. The humidity has not been as high this year," he said, making it easier for more customers to turn on fans or open windows to keep cool.
On average, about 50 percent of an energy bill is driven by air conditioning and heating, Harbaugh said. "Weather is the biggest driver," he said.
The economy could be another factor, with more consumers doing more to cut back and increase efficiency, Harbaugh said. Even when using their air conditioners, consumers could raise the thermostat to 70, 72 or even 74 degrees to eliminate humidity but still feel comfortable, he said.
Schramke, the Ellicott City resident, was forced to use central air conditioning some nights to avoid aggravating her allergies. But her family's utility bills are down about 10 percent, she said.
"You hate to say anything - you don't want to jinx it," the Wyoming native said. "I get up and say, 'Oh, it's still beautiful. Thank you, God.' "
But after last winter's sky-high bills, low-income customers are still struggling, said Bill McLennan, executive director of Paul's Place, which provides emergency services to residents of Baltimore's Pigtown and Poppleton neighborhoods. The number of people seeking assistance started to spike in April when a temporary ban on utility shut-offs was lifted. McLennan said consumers' bills continued to accrue during that time.
"The results of winter are now coming to a head on the bills," he said. "It is a blessing to have better weather now through the summer so there won't be a large accumulation."
June energy usage
Average residential consumption by BGE customers in June for the past five years.
Year Avg. consumption
2005 1,077 kwh
2006 970 kwh
2007 1,023 kwh
2008 1,012 kwh
2009 906 kwh
Source: BGE
