How to estimate your electricity bill
Multiply electricity use in kilowatt-hours by your variable price in dollars per kWh. Then add the fixed monthly charges you want to include.
Energy cost = kWh × cents per kWh ÷ 100
Estimated monthly cost = energy cost + fixed charges
Estimated monthly cost = energy cost + fixed charges
A simple example
900 kWh at an illustrative 16¢ per kWh costs $144 in energy charges. Add a $12 fixed service charge and the estimate becomes $156. With the same usage and prices for 12 months, that would be $1,872.
Why your actual bill may differ
Taxes, fuel adjustments, tiered usage, seasonal prices, and time-of-use schedules can change the total. Include applicable per-kWh components in the rate you enter, without counting them twice. The tool does not reproduce a utility tariff.
What should I enter as the rate?
A total-bill average may already include fixed charges; adding those charges again would overstate the estimate. Read the bill guide for an example.