Written by

Kristen Cramer

September 11, 2024

Edited by

Tamatha Hazen

Fact-checked by

Tara Farmer

Average electric bill

The average electric bill in the U.S. is $137 per month, with most bills falling between $115 and $160 per month. However, monthly electricity bills range from $60 to $300+, depending on the location, number of people in the household, home size, and the efficiency of the home's appliances, insulation, and heating and cooling systems.

Average electricity bill by state

Electricity bills and power usage vary significantly by state. Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado have the lowest average electric bills, while Hawaii and Connecticut have the highest. Prices per kilowatt-hour (kWh) range from 10.97 to 42.36 cents per kWh.

Why is my electric bill so high?

If your electric bill is higher than expected, consider these factors that impact your household electricity usage and monthly utility costs:

• Home & household size: Electric bills are higher for larger homes and households. While bills for a 3-bedroom house average $115 to $160 per month, the average electric bill for a 1-bedroom apartment is $60 to $75 per month, and bills for a 2-bedroom apartment average $75 to $100+ per month.

• Local weather & temperatures: Your location, climate, and seasonal changes all affect your home's heating and cooling needs, which have a major impact on electricity usage. Running the air conditioner on hot days or the furnace on cold winter days consumes more electricity.

• Heating & cooling system: Your HVAC system will consume more energy if it is old, oversized, undersized, or needs maintenance.

• Insulation & windows: Inadequate insulation makes it harder for your home to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter, increasing your energy costs. Old single-pane windows also contribute to higher energy usage.

• Appliances: Old, inefficient appliances use much more electricity than newer models. The refrigerator and clothes dryer are two of the biggest energy hogs.

• Water heating: The water heater accounts for about 18% of a typical home's energy use. If you have an electric water heater, using more hot water will increase your electric bill.

• Electricity usage during peak times: Pay attention to what time of day you use large appliances. Many utility companies charge higher rates for usage during times of peak demand, such as during the day and in the early evening.

• Lights & devices: Leaving lights and devices on while not in use wastes energy and increases your electric bill. Many devices also draw "phantom power" while off or in standby mode.

How to lower your electric bill

Incorporate these helpful tips in your home and daily routine to save money on your electric bill:

• Change your electricity supplier or billing plan: Ask your utility company about other billing plans to ensure you're on the plan best suited to your electricity usage and schedule. If you live in a deregulated area, choose a low-cost plan from a different supplier.

• Adjust your thermostat: A smart or programmable thermostat costs $160 to $450 with installation or $80 to $250 if you install it yourself and can save 10% to 30% on heating and cooling costs.

• Maintain your HVAC system: Clean or replace the filters on your air conditioner and furnace regularly. Dirty filters force the system to work harder and use more energy.

• Add insulation: Adding insulation can reduce your utility costs by 10% to 40%. Insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot with installation, depending on the type, R-value, and the part of the house you're insulating.

• Replace old windows: Window replacement costs $450 to $1,500 per window on average, including labor. New double-pane and triple-pane windows are 30% to 50% more energy efficient than single-pane windows.

• Run appliances during off-peak times: If your utility plan has higher rates for usage during times of peak demand, run major appliances like dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and ovens during off-peak hours to lower your bill.

• Install energy-efficient lighting: Replace inefficient light bulbs with LED bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy and last 25 times longer.

• Eliminate phantom power loss: Unplug devices when not in use to prevent them from drawing power even when they're turned off.

For more ideas about energy-efficient home improvements to reduce your electric bill, check out our home energy efficiency guide.

To learn more about other utility costs, check out these other guides:

• Average utility bill

• Average water bill

• Average gas bill