Electric Bill Estimator

Please fill in the required fields with values greater than 0.
–energy charge
–fixed charge
–taxes and fees
–estimated monthly bill

Estimate only. Many utilities charge different rates by tier or time of day, so check your bill for the exact rates.

How to use this calculator

Enter the kWh you use in a month (see your last bill), your rate per kWh, any fixed monthly charge and taxes. Press Calculate to see the estimated bill.

The formula

Energy charge = kWh × rate
Taxes = (energy charge + fixed charge) × tax %
Bill = energy charge + fixed charge + taxes

Example: 900 kWh at $0.17 per kWh costs $153. With a $10 fixed charge and 5% taxes the bill is $171.15.

Understanding your electric bill estimate

The number this calculator gives you is a monthly bill built from three parts: the energy you use, the fixed charge your utility adds every month, and the taxes and fees on top. Seeing them separately helps you spot which part you can actually control.

What the result means in practice

The energy charge is the part that moves with your habits. The fixed charge stays the same even in a month when you use very little power. Taxes and fees scale with both. If your fixed charge is high, cutting usage will lower your bill, but never below that base amount.

For example, a home using 1,200 kWh at $0.15 per kWh has an energy charge of $180. Add a $12 fixed charge and 6% taxes, and the bill comes to about $203.52. Cut usage to 1,000 kWh and the bill drops to about $171.72.

Main factors that change your bill

  • Season: Heating and cooling are usually the largest loads, so usage often peaks in summer and winter.
  • Rate structure: Some plans charge more per kWh once you pass a set amount (tiered rates) or at busy times of day (time-of-use rates).
  • Home size and equipment: Electric water heaters, dryers, pool pumps and EV charging can add hundreds of kWh per month.
  • Billing period: A 33-day billing cycle will cost more than a 28-day one, even with the same daily habits.

Tips and common mistakes

  • Use your total kWh for the month, not your daily average.
  • Use your real all-in rate. Many bills split the price into “supply” and “delivery” charges. Add both per-kWh charges together for an accurate rate.
  • Do not count the fixed charge twice. If your rate already includes it, enter zero for the fixed charge.
  • If you have tiered rates, the single rate here is an average. Divide your energy charges by your kWh to find it.

Planning and budgeting

Look at 12 months of bills to see your highest and lowest months. Budgeting for the high months avoids surprises. If you are comparing electricity plans, run the calculator once for each plan using the same kWh. A lower per-kWh rate with a higher fixed charge is not always cheaper for a small apartment. For larger homes, the per-kWh rate usually matters more. To estimate the cost of a single appliance, multiply its kWh by your rate and compare it to the energy charge on your bill.

Frequently asked questions

How much electricity does an average home use?
An average US home uses roughly 800 to 900 kWh a month, but it varies a lot by size, climate and heating type.
How can I find my kWh usage?
It is shown on your electric bill, or you can read your meter at the start and end of the month and subtract.
What is a fixed charge?
A fixed monthly fee for being connected to the grid, charged on top of the energy you use.
Why is my bill higher in summer or winter?
Air conditioning and electric heating use a lot of power.
How can I lower my electric bill?
Use LED lighting, set the thermostat efficiently, seal drafts, use a smart power strip and run big appliances off-peak if your plan has time-of-day rates.
What is time-of-use pricing?
Time-of-use pricing charges different rates at different hours. Power usually costs more in the late afternoon and early evening, when demand is highest, and less overnight. If you are on this kind of plan, running the dishwasher, laundry or EV charger during off-peak hours can lower your bill without cutting how much energy you use.
What is budget billing?
Budget billing spreads your yearly electricity cost evenly over 12 months. The utility estimates your annual use and charges the same amount each month. It does not reduce what you pay overall. Usually the account is reviewed once a year, and you either get a credit or owe the difference if you used more or less than expected.
How can I estimate the electric bill for a home I have not moved into yet?
Ask the seller, landlord or utility for the past 12 months of usage in kWh. Many utilities can share this with the owner’s permission. Enter an average month and the local rate into the calculator. If no history is available, use a similar-sized home nearby as a rough guide, and plan for higher bills in peak seasons.