Harold Brothers Blog | Harold Brothers Mechanical Contractors

Why Commercial Energy Bills Are So High in Weymouth, MA This Year

Written by Mike MacDonald | Oct 6, 2025 4:00:01 AM

If you run a business in Weymouth, you may have noticed something troubling: your energy bill is much higher this year. Whether you're operating a restaurant, managing an office, or overseeing a retail space, Weymouth commercial energy bills are rising faster than expected, and many local business owners are asking: Why are our business energy costs so high right now?

At Harold Brothers, we’ve been helping Massachusetts businesses uncover the hidden causes behind rising energy costs and find lasting solutions. As a trusted mechanical contractor, we’ve seen firsthand how this year’s price spikes are affecting our commercial clients in Weymouth.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the five main reasons your commercial energy bill is higher this year in Weymouth. We’ll also show you what you can do right now to reduce those costs and keep more money in your business.

National Energy Prices Have Increased, And You're Feeling It

The first thing to understand is that this isn’t just a Weymouth problem; it’s a national one. Across the country, the cost of electricity and natural gas has gone up. That’s because of a few different things happening at once. There’s more demand for power during extreme weather. Natural gas, which is used to generate a significant portion of our electricity, is more expensive. And some supply chains are still struggling to catch up after the pandemic and recent global events.

When those prices go up, your utility company pays more to buy energy, and they pass that cost directly to you. That’s why even if your energy use hasn’t changed, your bill probably has.

Weymouth Businesses Are Mostly on Variable-Rate Plans

In Weymouth, many commercial customers are on what's called variable-rate energy plans. This means your rate can change depending on the time of day, the season, and the amount of energy being used by those around you.

For example, running your HVAC system during a hot summer afternoon can cost more per kilowatt than doing the same thing early in the morning. And if you use a lot of power during these peak times, your utility might charge you extra fees called demand charges.

You may not see these changes listed clearly on your bill, but they’re there, and they’re costing you money.

Hidden Fees Are Higher This Year

Even if your energy rate stays the same, other parts of your bill may have gone up. In 2025, many utility companies in Massachusetts added or raised delivery fees, capacity charges, and reliability fees. These are charges for getting power to your building and keeping the grid stable, not for the electricity itself.

This means that you could be using the same amount of energy but still paying 15% to 30% more simply because of added fees.

You Might Be Using More Energy Without Realizing It

Have your hours changed this year? Did you add new equipment or start using electric heating outside? Are more employees back in the office full-time now?

All of these things can increase how much energy your business uses. And when you combine higher usage with higher rates and added fees, the cost jump can feel sudden and overwhelming.

Older buildings in Weymouth also play a role. Many have poor insulation, outdated lighting, or aging HVAC systems that aren’t efficient. That means you have to use more energy to get the same result, which drives up your monthly bill.

 

Aging Buildings Are Driving Up Energy Waste

Weymouth is a historic area, and many commercial spaces are decades old. While these buildings have charm, they often lack energy-efficient materials and systems. If your building hasn’t had a major upgrade in 10 or 20 years, you’re likely spending more on heating, cooling, and lighting than necessary.

Poor insulation lets warm or cool air escape, older lighting uses more electricity, and outdated thermostats don’t manage temperature well. Over time, these small inefficiencies become big costs.

What Can You Do to Lower Energy Bills for Your Business?

Now that we’ve explained why your Weymouth commercial energy bills are higher, let’s talk about how to lower them. The good news is that you do have options.

The first step we always recommend is to get a professional energy audit. An energy audit looks at every part of your building, from how air flows through your windows to how your machines use power, and finds the areas where you’re losing money. Many business owners are surprised to learn that one piece of equipment or one poorly sealed door is costing them thousands each year.

Once you know where the problems are, it’s easier to fix them.

Start Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Equipment

You don’t have to change your whole system overnight, but switching to LED lighting, smart thermostats, and ENERGY STAR-rated appliances can make a big impact. In some cases, businesses have cut their electricity costs by 30% or more with just a few upgrades.

Through the Mass Save program, you may be eligible for rebates or low-cost financing. There are also special incentives for small businesses in Massachusetts that make it easier to get started.

Explore Different Solar Energy Options

More Weymouth businesses are turning to solar panels as a way to take control of their energy bills. With a solar power system, you can lower or even eliminate your electric bill.

You don’t have to pay up front, either. With solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), you simply pay a lower monthly rate for electricity without owning the system. It’s a powerful way to stabilize your costs, even as utility rates continue to go up.

Review Your Rate Plan

Most business owners don’t realize they’re on the wrong rate plan for their usage. A commercial energy advisor can look at your historical energy data and recommend a better plan. Sometimes switching from a variable to a fixed rate, or simply negotiating a new contract, can lead to big savings.

Are High Business Energy Costs the New Normal?

Energy prices may indeed stay higher than they were a few years ago, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. Rates will eventually adjust, but utility fees and building inefficiencies won’t fix themselves. The sooner you make changes, the more you’ll save.

Waiting could cost you thousands in unnecessary expenses over the next few years.

Don’t Settle for a High Utility Bill

If you’ve been wondering why your energy bill is so high this year in Weymouth, now you know the answer: it’s a mix of rising rates, added fees, outdated systems, and inefficient buildings. The good news is, you can do something about it.

At Harold Brothers, we help businesses like yours every day. You don’t have to solve this alone, and you don’t have to keep paying more than you should.

If you’re exploring energy-efficient upgrades for your building, check out our article, “What’s the Most Energy-Efficient Commercial HVAC System?” It breaks down the top options and helps you choose the system that’s right for your business.