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Why Is My Electric Bill So High? Free Bill Checker
Enter your appliances, hours and rate. The checker estimates each one's monthly kWh and cost and ranks your biggest drains, using the same formula the U.S. Department of Energy uses.
U.S. homes bought about 899 kWh a month on average in 2022 (EIA). The average residential rate was 18.16 cents per kWh in August 2026, up from 17.57 cents in August 2025 (EIA, preliminary). Rates vary widely by state, from under 13 cents to over 40 cents, so use the rate on your own bill.
Want to make some of your own power?
The Energy Revolution System is a written, do-it-yourself plan for building a small home power source, aimed at people who would rather build than buy. Check the seller's page for what the plan covers. Results depend on your build, and it is not a substitute for cutting the waste you find below.
See the Energy Revolution System planBill checker
Watts are typical nameplate values; change them to match yours. Tick the ones you have.
| Appliance | Watts | Hours/day | Have it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central AC / heat pump (cooling) | |||
| Electric furnace / baseboard heat | |||
| Space heater | |||
| Electric water heater | |||
| Clothes dryer | |||
| Refrigerator (older) | |||
| Pool pump | |||
| Dehumidifier | |||
| Electric oven / range | |||
| Dishwasher (with heated dry) | |||
| Gaming PC / computer | |||
| TV and electronics on standby |
How the estimate works
The usual reasons a bill jumps
- Heating and cooling. Space heaters, electric resistance heat and AC in a heat wave are the usual suspects. DOE's Energy Saver guide says setting the thermostat back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to about 10% a year on heating and cooling.
- Hot water. Electric water heaters are a large load; DOE recommends 120°F for most homes.
- Old second fridges and freezers. ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9% more efficient than models that meet the federal minimum.
- Standby power. Devices that are "off" but plugged in typically use 5–10% of home electricity (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory).
- Rate changes. Compare the cents per kWh line on this month's and last year's bill before blaming appliances.
Rather buy backup power than build it?
See our generator sizing calculator on our sister site.
What size generator do I need?Track it month to month with our printable energy log:
Get the printable energy log on EtsyPLACEHOLDER: ETSY_ENERGY_LOGDisclaimer: estimates only, based on typical wattages and your inputs. Actual use depends on your appliances, climate and habits. We do not promise any specific savings from any product or plan.
Sources
- U.S. EIA, How much electricity does an American home use? (2022 data): eia.gov
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A, average rate by state, August 2026 and 2025: eia.gov
- U.S. DOE, Energy Saver Guide (appliance formula, thermostat and water heater tips): energy.gov (PDF)
- ENERGY STAR, Refrigerators: energystar.gov and Energy Efficient Products: energystar.gov
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Standby Power FAQ: standby.lbl.gov
FAQ
Why is my electric bill so high all of a sudden?
Usually heating or cooling in extreme weather, a space heater, a failing water heater or old fridge, or a rate increase. Compare kWh used and cents per kWh on this bill and last year's.
How do I work out what an appliance costs to run?
Watts × hours per day ÷ 1,000 = kWh per day. Multiply by days and by your rate per kWh. This is the U.S. Department of Energy's method.
What is the average U.S. electric rate?
EIA reports a U.S. average residential rate of 18.16 cents per kWh for August 2026 (preliminary), with big differences by state.
Does unplugging things really help?
A little. Standby power is typically 5–10% of home electricity use, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.