Americans Spent Over $22 Billion More on Electricity the Past Year

Ownerly examines which states saw the largest increase in electric bills the past year, as energy inflation hit a 40-year high.

• Hawaii 2022 Rank: 1
• Avg. monthly bill*: $210.26
• Increase from previous year: 22.12%
• Increase rank: 2
• Avg. monthly kHW consumption: 1,217.02
• Monthly consumption rank: 2

News Release from Ownerly, January 5, 2023

NEW YORK, January 5, 2023 - In 2022, American consumers faced the highest electricity costs in more than 40 years, due to inflation, a rebounding economy and fuel-related repercussions from the Ukraine war. It appears the worst is not over. A newly released study from Ownerly, a leading home and property value estimation platform, analyzed 12 months of Energy Information Administration (EIA) data and found the increase in out-of-pocket consumer spending exceeded 22 billion—not all related to an increase in usage.

Ownerly examined electricity price data between October 2021 and September 2022 to identify which states paid the most in 2022, which states saw the greatest percentage increase from the previous year and where overall electric costs increased the most. The time period of our analysis also coincides with the highest inflation rates Americans have seen in four decades.

"The last six months have been even worse for residential energy bills than the previous six months," said Ownerly data analyst Darcy McCusker. "Nine states including Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma and New Hampshire have had increases of $30 or more per month since April alone, and just over half of all states have seen a percentage increase of at least 10%." 

Key takeaways

Hawaii and Connecticut had the highest monthly electric bills in 2022; Utah and New Mexico had the lowest. Hawaiians paid on average $210.26 a month, followed by  Connecticut ($173.16), Alabama ($164.62), Georgia  ($153.45) and Texas ($152.83).

Hawaii had the greatest dollar increase in energy costs, but Maine had the highest bill increase. While monthly bills went up $38.08 in Hawaii, Maine saw the highest bill increase over the 12 months we examined, paying 31.26% more monthly than the previous year. 

Prices in Wyoming and Oregon actually dropped in 2022. Not all states saw a monthly rise in electric bills: monthly average bills dropped slightly in Wyoming (-79¢) and Oregon (-24¢). 

These bills also include higher electricity usage during the summer months. "So many of the colder states that use more energy in the winter than the summer, like North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia, could see those same increases this winter," McCusker said. 

The EIA also expects US energy prices to remain high into 2023.

Find the full study and a breakdown by state here: LINK

How to lower your electric bills

The following energy-saving tips can help lower electric bills without necessarily requiring costly retrofits or remodeling. 

Be mindful of maintenance. Keep appliances running efficiently by periodically vacuuming under your refrigerator and changing your HVAC filter, among other things. Home appliances consume less electricity when they are properly maintained. 

Look at your lighting. Invest in energy-efficient LED bulbs and use translucent lampshades to maximize their performance. Motion sensors can be connected to your lamps to turn them off when not in use. This can also be accomplished with smart bulb schedules and automation.

Ask your provider for an energy audit. Many utility companies offer free consultations for ways to help lower your energy bills. Also, many states offer incentives for energy efficiency. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency and plug in your zip code to find programs in your area.

Check for available rebates. Some cities or energy providers may offer rebates to homeowners who use smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, smart lighting or other energy-saving technologies. Reach out to your bill provider and ask if there are any rebates or incentives available to you.

Costlier home modifications can generate bigger energy savings, but may not pay for themselves in the near term. If you happen to be remodeling anyway, some energy-conserving upgrades to consider include:

• Adding more insulation to retain indoor heating and cooling
• Swapping in energy-saving appliances
• Installing energy-efficient doors and windows
• Improving your HVAC system

Find more tips here on How to Save Energy at Home