New study by Climate Power shows energy bills have increased 13% nationally; NY homeowners feel the pain

VALHALLA, New York (WABC) -- A new report is shedding light on rising utility costs, finding that energy bills have increased by 13% nationwide.

Ryan Carlon, a homeowner in Westchester County, offered a blunt assessment of what he pays for electricity and natural gas.

"Middle of the wintertime I'm paying over a thousand dollars a month in the winter for my Con Ed bill," he said. "Moved here from New Jersey and I was never paying more than a few hundred dollars."

A report released on Thursday by Climate Power, a climate advocacy organization, shows energy prices have risen 13% nationwide since January.

Recently retired Susan Blair tries to blunt the impact of seasonal spikes by averaging out her bill to a fixed amount each month.

"Even from our level billing, it went up $100," Blair