Lower Your Bill
The 15-Minute Electric Bill Audit
Key takeaways
A short checklist for reading your latest electric bill.
- Find the kWh you used and compare it with the same month last year.
- Work out your all-in price: total charges ÷ kWh used.
- Separate fixed monthly charges from usage charges.
- Check whether the meter reading was actual or estimated, and ask your utility about rate plans.
What this guide covers
A short checklist for reading your latest electric bill. The details depend on your home, equipment and the information on your own bill or appliance label.
The 15-minute checklist
- Usage: note the kWh for this period and the same month last year. Many bills show a 12-month chart.
- Days in the period: longer billing periods mean higher bills. Divide kWh by days for a fair comparison.
- All-in rate: divide the total amount by kWh to see what each kWh really costs you.
- Fixed charges: customer or service charges you pay regardless of use.
- Supply and delivery: some bills split these; in some states you can choose a supplier.
- Rate plan: check whether you are on a flat or time-of-use plan, and ask if another plan suits you.
- Meter read: “estimated” reads can cause catch-up bills later.
Next steps
If usage jumped, look at the largest users first: heating, cooling and water heating. Ask your utility about free energy checks or assistance programs.
Sources
Sources checked November 12, 2026. Guidance can change, so follow the latest version of each source and your equipment manuals.