POUGHKEEPSIE – This summer’s hot weather resulted in higher than average use of electricity as more and more air conditions were in use, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation officials said Friday. That drove up costs of the power.

Cooling degree days, a measure of temperature, from June, July and August, were more than double that of the same period last year for residential customers and 34 percent higher than normal. And, as a result, electricity use by customers increased on average by about 25 percent during those months as compared to 2009 as air conditioners, refrigerators and other appliances worked harder to keep up with the warmer weather.

As demand increased the market supply price of electricity also increased by almost 20 percent over the summer months this year.            

“Electricity prices, like gasoline and other commodity prices are set on the wholesale market according to the laws of supply and demand,” said Central Hudson President James Laurito. “Higher demands lead to higher commodity prices, and higher temperatures this summer not only increased usage by our customers, but also raised energy prices as demand peaked.”