Kilowatt Kit

Electricity Bill Calculator

Enter your monthly kWh usage, electricity rate, and any fixed charges to estimate your total bill. All values can be overridden with your own bill figures.

Last verified: April 28, 2026

kWh / month

US average is 899 kWh/month (EIA 2024)

$ /kWh

Default: USD 0.1745/kWh — U.S. Energy Information Administration (verified 2026-04-27)

$ / month

Service charge, standing charge, or meter fee shown on your bill

Your estimated bill

Monthly bill
$166.88
Annual bill
$2,002.51
Energy charge
$156.88
Fixed charge
$10.00

Estimate only. Excludes taxes, delivery fees, and any tiered or time-of-use adjustments.

How this is calculated

Your electricity bill has two components: the energy charge (based on what you use) and fixed charges (flat fees regardless of usage).

Monthly Bill = (kWh used × Rate per kWh) + Fixed monthly charge

Example: (899 kWh × $0.1745) + $10.00 = $166.88
Annual Bill = Monthly Bill × 12

Assumptions

  • A single flat rate applies to all usage (no tiers or time-of-use pricing)
  • Fixed charge is constant every month
  • Excludes taxes, fuel adjustment charges, and delivery/distribution fees
  • Annual figure assumes the same usage every month

US household bill benchmarks

Household type kWh/month Est. bill (incl. $10 fixed)
Studio / 1-bed apartment 400 $79.80/mo
2-bed apartment 650 $123.43/mo
Average US home 899 $166.88/mo
3-bed house with AC 1,200 $219.40/mo
Large home + EV 1,500 $271.75/mo

Based on US average residential rate of $0.1745/kWh + $10 fixed charge (EIA, 2026-04-27).

Frequently asked questions

What is a fixed charge on my electricity bill?

A fixed charge (also called a service charge or standing charge) is a flat monthly fee your utility charges regardless of how much electricity you use. It covers grid maintenance and meter costs. In the US it typically ranges from $5–$20/month.

Why does my actual bill differ from this estimate?

This calculator uses a flat rate. Your actual bill may include tiered pricing (where higher usage costs more per kWh), time-of-use rates, taxes, renewable energy charges, and other fees that vary by utility.

Where do I find my kWh usage?

Your monthly kWh usage is printed on your electricity bill, usually labelled "Total kWh used" or "Energy consumed." The US average household uses about 899 kWh per month (EIA, 2024).

How do I lower my electricity bill?

The most impactful steps are: switching to LED lighting, adjusting your thermostat by 1–2°C, running appliances during off-peak hours if you have time-of-use pricing, and fixing phantom loads from devices left on standby.

Sources

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