Electric bills hit $50,000 for California mansion owners amid heat waves and high supply costs for power companies

• Mega mansions cost their owners between $10,000 and $50,000 in electric bills, reports say.
• Residents across the country report higher electricity rates due to supply cost issues.

Record-breaking heat waves mean California residents are spending more to keep homes cool – and some are paying thousands to do so.

Multi-million dollar mansions require more electricity to power their sprawling layouts than the average home, and owners are shelling out more than $10,000 each month to cover the bill, the LA Times reports.

A record-breaking $141 million mansion known as "the costliest house sold at auction," has monthly electric bills estimated at around $50,000. According to the LA Times, mega mansions like this one may have up to 50 HVAC systems compared to one system for a regular-sized home.

"In theory, a 100,000-square-foot home would have the same energy bill as 40 2,500-square-foot homes," A/C expert Lawrence Castillo told the LA Times. "That's two city blocks' worth of houses to cool one property."

Although heat waves don't help, there could be more to why power is more expensive than before.

California's San Diego Gas & Electric raised its rates due to higher supply costs, and the new bills cost residents nearly 12% more than last year on average, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Energy company Consolidated Edison reported the same issue to explain a 23% increase on customers' bills in January.

A New York City resident told the Journal his utility bill "literally doubled overnight," having to spend $1,000 on electricity for the month.

Castillo said those hoping to cut down on electricity bills should focus more on their A/C units instead of turning off lights and appliances. In the LA Times report, he said that makes up 70% of electric bills during the summer.

"People think that leaving appliances running or turning off lights will make a big difference, but the main difference-maker is the age and usage of the A/C unit," he said.