Why is my electric bill so high?
A bill goes up for two reasons: you paid more for each kWh, or you used more kWh. Enter two bills and this checker shows how much of the difference each one caused.
Enter the kWh and the total from two bills. We will split the difference into the part caused by a higher price per kWh and the part caused by using more electricity.
How the split works
Your price per kWh on each bill is the total divided by the kWh. The change in the bill is then split into the price part (the change in that price, applied to your average use of the two bills) and the usage part (the change in kWh, at the average of the two prices). The two parts always add up exactly to the change in your bill.
Common reasons, and what to check
- Rate increases. Across the U.S., the average residential price was 18.16¢ in August 2026, +3.4% from August 2025. Your state’s change is on its rates page.
- Season. Heating and air conditioning are the largest loads in most homes. Compare with the same month last year, not last month.
- Billing period. A 33-day bill has about 10% more days than a 30-day bill.
- New or failing equipment. A space heater, a dehumidifier, an older fridge or a well pump that runs too often can add tens of dollars. Use the appliance cost calculator to check.
- Estimated reading. If the bill says “estimated”, the next actual reading may correct it.