Electricity Cost Calculator

Our calculator provides estimates based on typical usage patterns for your home size, number of residents, and usage profile. Actual costs vary by season, specific appliances, and personal habits. For the most accurate estimate, use the manual kWh input with your actual usage from a recent bill.

Your monthly kWh usage appears on your electricity bill, usually in a section labeled 'Usage' or 'kWh Used.' You can also find historical usage by logging into your utility's online account portal. Most bills show both the current month and a 12-month usage history.

Your utility's default rate (called 'Price to Compare' in Pennsylvania or 'Standard Service Offer' in Ohio) is the rate you pay if you haven't chosen a competitive supplier. Supplier rates come from licensed electricity suppliers who compete for your business. Suppliers often offer rates below the utility default, though not always.

We filter to 3+ month fixed-rate plans for our 'cheapest' comparisons because short-term teaser rates (1-2 months) reset to higher prices quickly. Variable rates fluctuate with market conditions. Fixed-rate plans with meaningful terms give you predictable bills and genuine savings.

The average Pennsylvania home uses about 877 kWh per month (10,524 kWh annually). The average Ohio home uses about 893 kWh per month. Actual usage varies significantly based on home size, heating/cooling systems, and household size.

Heating and cooling typically account for 40-50% of home electricity use. Other major consumers include water heaters (12-18%), appliances like refrigerators and washers (10-15%), lighting (5-10%), and electronics (5-10%). The exact breakdown depends on your climate, home efficiency, and habits.

The two biggest factors are (1) reducing usage through efficiency measures like LED lighting, smart thermostats, and Energy Star appliances, and (2) securing a competitive electricity rate by comparing suppliers. Even small rate differences add up: saving 1¢/kWh saves about $100/year for an average household.

Yes. Your utility continues delivering electricity through the same wires regardless of your supplier choice. Switching is a billing change only—no service interruption, no home visit, no equipment changes. All suppliers must be licensed by your state's public utility commission.

Utility default rates typically change quarterly or semi-annually based on regulatory filings. Supplier rates change more frequently as they compete for customers. We update our rate data weekly to reflect the current market.

This calculator is designed for residential customers. Commercial and industrial accounts have different rate structures, demand charges, and usage patterns. Contact suppliers directly for commercial rate quotes.

This calculator uses flat rate estimates. Time-of-use (TOU) rates charge different prices based on when you use electricity. TOU plans can save money if you can shift usage to off-peak hours, but they're more complex. We may add TOU calculations in a future update.

After finding a plan you like, visit the supplier's website and follow their enrollment process. You'll need your utility account number and service address. The switch typically takes 1-2 billing cycles to complete. Your utility handles the transition automatically.