"I almost had a heart attack," said Rosalie Cicgona upon receiving a $664 utility bill.
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Cicogna is one of many residents in Westchester County's Heritage Hills condominium complex who have seen a dramatic spike in heating costs.
Alex Roth, another resident, said his bill increased 40 percent compared to a year ago, even though his energy use has remained the same.
"I don't touch the thermostats in my house. They stay at 67," he said. "It's a major difference."
But prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures in December and January have resulted in overall high demand. A New York State Electric and Gas spokesperson said it is passing along the higher cost of supplying electricity.
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"The bill increase is a direct result of wholesale price increases due to an increase in demand as a result of recent low temperatures," said NYSEG spokesperson Kevin Ortiz. "NYSEG does not profit on the supply charges that appear on customers' bills."
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Residents like Roth are counting the days until warmer spring temperatures.
"I'm leaving the thermostat where it is and hoping for the best," he said.
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