Why Is My Electric Bill So High? Causes and What to Check

If you do not have last year's bill, most utilities show twelve months of history in the online account. The guide to reading a bill shows where each number sits.

1. Weather

A heat wave or a cold snap makes cooling and heating run for longer. Heating and cooling are the largest uses of electricity in many homes, so a few extreme days can move a monthly bill by tens of dollars. Compare the kWh with the same month last year, not with last month.

2. A longer billing period

Periods run from about 28 to 33 days. A 33 day bill carries roughly 18 percent more days than a 28 day bill, even when every day is identical.

3. A rate increase or a changed rate plan

Fuel costs, delivery upgrades and storm costs can raise the price per kWh. A plan with an introductory price may have ended, or a variable price may have moved. If the kWh is flat but the total rose, this is the likely cause.

4. An estimated meter read

An estimate that came in low is followed by a bill that catches up. If you see an E or the word estimated next to a reading, ask for a corrected bill after a real reading.

5. A new or failing appliance

An old air conditioner that works harder, a water heater element stuck on, a second refrigerator in the garage, an electric space heater or a new pool pump can add hundreds of kWh a month. An appliance that suddenly uses far more than before often needs repair.

6. A change at home

More people, a work-from-home schedule, an electric vehicle, a new freezer or a guest who stayed for a month all show up in the kWh. An electric vehicle can add hundreds of kWh a month on its own.

7. A billing or meter problem

This is rare, but it happens: a wrong meter multiplier, a billing for a neighbor's unit, or a fault in the meter. If your kWh jumps and nothing explains it, ask the utility to test the meter.

1. Write down kWh, days and total for the last three bills and the same three months last year.
2. Work out kWh per day and price per kWh for each. Divide kWh by days, and divide the total by kWh.
3. If kWh per day rose, walk the house. Check the thermostat settings, the water heater setting, anything left running and anything new.
4. If price per kWh rose and kWh did not, look at the rate plan name and any new riders, then call the utility or your supplier.
5. If neither moved but the total rose, check the number of days and for an estimated read.

A bill can feel high and still be normal. The 2025 US average was $150.68 a month, from 874 kWh at 17.23 cents per kWh. Detached houses average about $178.03 and large-building apartments about $87.55 at that price. The bill checker compares your bill with your state and your type of home.

• U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-861 (final 2025 data)