A Summer Break for the Air Conditioner

I don't believe I have ever gone this far into July without turning on the air conditioning. I did resort to running it over some humid days in June. But a full week in July with no AC? That's inconceivable for Washington. And it it's a welcome break for my household budget.

(I've chosen not to use the electric company's budget plan, which averages out your estimated yearly bills into uniform monthly chunks. I used the budget plans when I was younger and my monthly budget was tighter, but now I prefer to pay as I go. If I cut back and nudge the thermostat warmer, I like to see the results on my bill quickly.)

Nationwide, residential electricity prices are forecast to be about 5 percent higher this year than last, according to the Energy Information Administration. The EIA, part of the Department of Energy, will update that information later today when it releases its latest monthly forecast for all residential fuels. I'll have the details here this afternoon.