Electricity Bill Calculator
Estimate your monthly and yearly electricity bill from your usage and rate — including fixed service charges and tax. Defaults use the 2026 US average; change them to match your bill.
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How your electricity bill is calculated
Utilities bill you for the energy you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is one thousand watts running for one hour — roughly what a window air conditioner uses in an hour, or ten 100-watt bulbs. Your bill has three parts, and this calculator adds all three:
Bill = (kWh used × price per kWh) + fixed service charge, then × (1 + tax)
The energy charge is the big, variable part. The fixed service charge is a flat monthly fee you pay no matter how little you use — often $8–$15. Some areas add a tax on top. For a typical home using 900 kWh at $0.16/kWh with a $10 service charge and no tax, that's (900 × $0.16) + $10 = $154/month, or about $1,848/year.
What uses the most electricity in a home?
If your bill looks high, the culprits are almost always the big loads. Heating and cooling typically dominate, followed by the water heater, then the dryer, refrigerator, and — increasingly — EV charging. To see exactly what a specific device costs to run, use our Appliance Running Cost Calculator. If you charge an electric car at home, the EV Charging Cost Calculator breaks out that portion.
How to lower your electricity bill
The highest-leverage moves: switch to a time-of-use rate and shift heavy loads (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to off-peak hours; replace the biggest energy hogs with efficient models; seal and insulate to cut heating and cooling; and, if your bill is consistently high and your roof gets sun, run the numbers on solar with our Solar Panel Savings Calculator — for many homes it pays back in well under ten years after the federal tax credit.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my price per kWh?
Look on your utility bill for a line like "energy charge" or "price per kWh." If it's not listed directly, divide your total energy charge by the kWh used that month.
Why is my bill higher in summer and winter?
Air conditioning and electric heating are the two biggest loads in most homes, so bills spike in the hottest and coldest months. Many utilities also charge higher rates during peak demand seasons.
What's the difference between kW and kWh?
A kilowatt (kW) is a rate of power — how fast energy is used right now. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is an amount of energy — power used over time. You're billed on kWh.