Quick answer: Most high electric bills come from one of three things: a higher price per kWh, more heating or cooling in extreme weather, or one appliance using far more than you think (a space heater, an old second fridge, a hot tub, an EV). Compare this bill’s kWh with the same month last year to see whether you used more or simply paid more per kWh.
US residential electricity prices have been rising: EIA data put the average at 18.31¢ per kWh in July 2026, 4.9% more than a year earlier. So part of the answer may be the price. The steps below separate price from usage, then go through the usual suspects.
First, a 10-minute check
- Find the kWh used on this bill and on the same month last year. Weather makes month-to-month comparisons misleading; year-on-year is fairer.
- Work out your real rate: divide the bill total by the kWh. If it went up, part of the increase is price, not usage.
- Check the dates and the reading. A longer billing period or an estimated reading can inflate one bill and correct itself on the next.
- Look at daily usage in your utility’s app or smart meter portal to spot days that stand out.
15 common causes
1. Your rate went up
Utilities adjust rates and fuel charges, and supply plans in deregulated states can jump when a fixed term or introductory rate ends. Fix: check your plan, compare offers if your state has retail choice, ask about budget billing to spread costs evenly.
2. Heating in winter
Electric furnaces, baseboard heaters and heat pumps on backup heat can double a winter bill. See why bills rise in winter.
3. Air conditioning in summer
A 3-ton central AC running 8 hours a day costs about $144.14 a month at the US average rate. See central AC running costs.
4. Space heaters
One 1,500 W heater for 8 hours a day adds about $65.52 a month. Space heater costs.
5. An old or second fridge
A 1990s fridge can use around 1,100 kWh a year, about $200.20; one in a hot garage uses even more. Fridge costs.
6. Electric water heating
More showers, guests or a faulty element can push it up. Setting the tank to 120°F, as the Department of Energy suggests, avoids overheating water.
7. Laundry
Hot washes and electric dryers use far more than cold washes. Washing machine costs.
8. A new EV
1,000 miles a month adds about 300 kWh. EV charging costs.
9. Hot tubs and pool pumps
A single-speed pool pump running 8 hours a day uses about 360 kWh a month, around $65.52.
10. Dehumidifiers running nonstop
Without a humidistat, a 50-pint unit can add about $72.07 a month. Dehumidifier costs.
11. Standby power
Game consoles, set-top boxes and older electronics draw power around the clock. A combined 50 W of standby costs about $79.72 a year.
12. More time at home
Working from home means more heating, cooling, lighting and computers during the day.
13. A faulty appliance
A failing fridge seal, a heat pump stuck on backup heat or a well pump that cycles constantly can quietly add hundreds of kWh.
14. Using power at peak times
On a time-of-use plan, running the dryer or charging an EV in the evening peak costs more than the same kWh overnight.
15. A billing or meter error
Rare, but possible. If usage jumped with no explanation, read your meter yourself, compare it with the bill and ask the utility to check.
How to find the culprit
- Use our appliance cost calculator to build a monthly estimate and see which appliance dominates.
- Measure plug-in appliances with a plug-in energy meter for 24 hours.
- Switch off breakers one at a time briefly while watching a smart meter’s live reading (avoid circuits for medical equipment, freezers and anything that must stay on).
If you cannot pay
Call your utility before the due date to ask about payment plans and budget billing. Low-income households may qualify for help through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and state or utility programs.
Next: how to lower your electric bill.
A real example: finding a $60 jump
Maria’s bill went from $140 in October to $200 in December. Her bill showed 760 kWh in October and 1,090 kWh in December, so she had used more, not just paid more. The extra 330 kWh is about $60.06 at 18.2¢. Working through the list above, she found two causes: a 1,500 W space heater in the home office for about 5 hours a day (about 225 kWh a month, $40.95) and the holiday lights and extra cooking over the holidays.
Once she knew where the energy went, the fix was simple: a heater with a thermostat and a timer, and the office door kept closed. This is the pattern behind most high bills: one or two big users, not dozens of small ones.
Reading your bill: the numbers that matter
- kWh used this period, and the same period last year if shown.
- Number of days in the billing period: a 35-day bill is naturally higher than a 28-day one.
- Rate per kWh, including delivery or distribution charges, which are often listed separately.
- Fixed monthly charges, which you pay whatever you use.
- Whether the reading is actual or estimated. An estimated reading followed by an actual one can make one bill look much higher.
More questions readers ask
How do I know if my meter is wrong?
Meter faults are rare. Switch off everything in the house and check whether the meter still shows use. If it does, something is still running or there may be a fault; ask your utility to test it.
Can a neighbour be using my electricity?
It is very unusual, but in shared buildings wiring mistakes happen. If your usage stays high with everything off, ask the utility or a licensed electrician to check.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A (July 2026).
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver guidance on water heating and thermostats.
- Our methodology.