Electric Bill Calculator
Estimate your monthly and yearly electric bill from your kWh usage, your rate, and any fixed monthly service charge.
What your result means
This estimates your bill as energy used times your rate, plus the flat monthly service charge most utilities add. The annual total scales it across the year. It won't capture tiered rates, demand charges, or taxes exactly, but it's a solid ballpark. To see how much of this solar could erase, try our solar panel cost calculator.
How to use this calculator
- Find your monthly kWh on your utility bill.
- Enter your energy rate per kWh.
- Add the fixed monthly service charge.
- Read your estimated monthly bill, the energy portion, and the annual total.
- Compare against solar to see your potential savings.
The formula
Most bills are a per-kWh energy charge plus a flat service fee. Multiply usage by rate, add the fee, and you have a close monthly estimate before taxes and any tiered pricing.
Worked example
At 900 kWh a month and $0.17 per kWh, the energy charge is $153. Add a $15 service fee and the bill is about $168 a month, or roughly $2,016 a year before taxes.
Estimated bill by usage ($0.17/kWh + $15 fee)
| Monthly kWh | Energy charge | ~Monthly bill |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | $85.00 | $100.00 |
| 900 kWh | $153.00 | $168.00 |
| 1,200 kWh | $204.00 | $219.00 |
| 1,500 kWh | $255.00 | $270.00 |
| 2,000 kWh | $340.00 | $355.00 |
Tips & gotchas
- Your true rate may be tiered — higher usage can push later kWh into a pricier bracket.
- Watch for demand charges and taxes; this estimate is energy plus the flat fee only.
- Time-of-use plans reward shifting big loads to off-peak hours.
- A year of bills shows your real average — single months swing with weather.
- Solar can wipe out most of the energy charge but rarely the fixed fee.
Frequently asked questions
How is my electric bill calculated?
Usually as kWh used times your rate, plus a fixed service charge, then taxes. This calculator covers the energy charge and the flat fee.
What is the average electric bill?
Around $130 to $170 a month in the US, but it varies widely with home size, climate, rate, and usage. Use your own kWh and rate for accuracy.
Why is there a fixed charge?
Utilities add a flat service or connection fee to cover grid access regardless of usage. It's on your bill separate from the per-kWh charge.
Will solar eliminate my bill?
It can erase most of the energy charge if sized well, but the fixed service fee and any minimum charge usually remain. See the solar calculators.
Does this include taxes and tiers?
No. It's a clean energy-plus-fee estimate. Tiered rates, demand charges, and taxes vary by utility and aren't included.
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Estimates only — see our full disclaimer.