Residents of Heritage Hills in Somers say they have been receiving record-high NYSEG bills.

Homeowner Barbara Kitaeff has lived in the community for 27 years.

To keep her bills affordable, she says she has made a habit of energy efficient routines that she adheres to throughout the day.

It includes keeping her lights off prior to sunset and keeping her home's temperature within the 60s.

Even with her energy efficient methods, her most recent NYSEG bill totaled almost $1,000.

"I had to refinance my mortgage this year because I was running out of cash...So, I refinanced, and that's what I'm living off on now, along with my pension and security," said Kitaeff.

Lisa Spicciati-Garcia says she follows NYSEG's own recommendations for keeping bills low, but her bill last month totaled over $1,100.

"I don't know what else I can humanely possibly do to remedy the situation...and I don't think it's my job to do that, I think it's on NYSEG," she says.

A spokesperson with NYSEG issued the following statement:

"As a utility company, NYSEG is responsible for delivering gas and electricity to customers and issuing bills that

include the cost of delivery and supply. We are only responsible for the cost associated with the delivery of energy

to customers that is noted in every bill, which has not increased. However, the costs of gas and electricity supply

have drastically increased, almost doubling compared to last year, and is a pass-through cost set by energy

generators and suppliers that NYSEG must collect but has no control over. We do not profit from supply charges.

This drastic increase in supply costs combined with households using more energy to heat their homes to the

same temperature during periods of prolonged winter weather, results in a higher customer bill.

NYSEG encourages customers who have questions about their bill to contact us immediately so we can explain

these reasons and find ways they can save on energy usage and costs. We also have a number of resources that

people can take advantage of to help with their bills, budget billing, payment plans, HEAP and other assistance

programs."