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 split the difference into the part caused by using more electricity and the part caused by a higher price per kWh, and, if you add them, fixed charges, taxes and the length of the billing period.
How the split works
Your energy price per kWh on each bill is the energy charges divided by the kWh. With only the totals, that is the whole bill ÷ kWh; if you add fixed charges, taxes and credits, they are taken out first and shown as their own lines. The change in the energy charges is split into the price part (the change in price per kWh, applied to your average use of the two bills) and the usage part (the change in kWh, at the average of the two prices). With the days of both billing periods, the usage part is split again into daily use and period length. All the parts always add up exactly to the change in your bill.
The parts are arithmetic, not proof of a cause: a higher price per kWh can mean a rate increase, a higher usage tier or more use in peak hours. For a guided check, use the step-by-step bill diagnosis.
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, and the 12-month change in every state is here.
- Season. Heating and air conditioning are the largest loads in most homes. Compare with the same month last year, not last month. In winter, see why bills jump in winter.
- 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.