Home Energy Cost Estimator

About This Estimate: The Estimated All-In Annual Total includes a local taxes & fees adjustment (default +20%) to account for fixed monthly service charges, delivery and distribution fees, transmission charges, and state/local utility taxes. These charges appear on every utility bill regardless of how much — or how little — energy is consumed, and represent the unavoidable floor of any utility bill.

Important for homes with solar: Solar generation can offset commodity energy costs significantly — some utilities allow solar to offset 100% or more of electrical commodity use — but fixed utility charges, delivery fees, and service charges remain on the bill regardless of solar production. A well-sized solar array may reduce the commodity portion of the electric bill to near zero, yet a homeowner can still expect $800–$1,500+ per year in unavoidable fixed charges depending on their utility. This is a key reason the taxes & fees adjustment defaults to 20% in this estimator.

Commodity cost figures are based on U.S. EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) benchmarks adjusted by IECC climate zone, construction-era energy codes, and occupant load. Water heating is assumed to use the primary fuel selected. Actual costs also vary based on thermostat settings, insulation quality, appliance efficiency, and air leakage. This tool is intended as a general planning estimate only — not a substitute for a professional energy audit or utility analysis.