Air conditioning bill high? State’s energy third ‘least expensive’

July tends to be the hottest month of the year but consumers in Washington energy costs are not as steep as most other states.

According to the website WalletHub, Washington has the third “least expensive energy” in the country behind Colorado and the District of Columbia. The website compared the total monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, examining the consumption rates and prices of four energy types: electricity, natural gas, motor fuel and home heating oil.

WalletHub estimated 7.3 percent of the average consumer’s total annual income goes to energy costs. So if you’re planning to relocate this summer, perhaps to start a new job, you may want to consider the disparity in energy costs among the candidate states on your short list.

Keep in mind that lower prices don’t always equate with lower costs, as consumption is a key determinant in the total amount of an energy bill. In areas such as Southern Louisiana, with scorching summer weather but cheap electricity, households still end up with higher out-of-pocket costs than those in energy-expensive Northern California, where the temperate climate keeps heating and cooling units idle most of the year.