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Whether you’re a current resident of Texas or are interested in moving to the Lone Star State, researching living costs in each city can help you better understand the average expenses.
Electricity bills usually take up to 10% of monthly income, so it’s important to know what you can afford and understand that some more popular cities may charge a higher rate than other rural locations.
Below, we’ll dive into some important information regarding electricity costs throughout the state of Texas to help you develop a more solid foundation and expectation of this necessary monthly expense.
What Is The Average Electricity Bill in Texas?
While it’s hard to give a firm average of electricity costs throughout Texas, it’s generally assumed that most homeowners can expect to pay around $160 per month on their energy bills. These bills are impacted by many different factors and will not be the same from house to house or city to city, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Some of these influential factors are things that are fully in your control, while others may be a bit harder to change. Read on to see some common factors impacting your monthly energy costs.
What Factors Influence The Average Electricity Bill in Texas
Electricity costs depend on various factors, so it’s no wonder that the average electricity bill in Texas can vary quite drastically.
Energy use in homes of those who choose to invest in cleaner energy sources, like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, will have a lower cost than the state average, as they can harness power from a cleaner, more cost-effective energy source.
On the other hand, those who rely on the traditional grid for power may find that their energy consumption increases and their electricity bill increases overall.
Electricity costs and usage vary for various reasons, but here are some of the more common factors that are guaranteed to influence costs throughout the state.
Size of Home
It’s safe to assume that larger homes throughout the state will have higher electricity costs than smaller homes. Large homes and businesses require a higher rate of energy consumption to power temperature control units and other large appliances, which can quickly increase the monthly average electricity bill.
While the size of the home is one of the most influential factors regarding electricity costs, there are energy-saving solutions on the market. EcoFlow’s DELTA Series Solar Generators are easy to install and allow homeowners to take advantage of cleaner and more cost-effective energy solutions for their homes.
Location
Bigger cities like Austin and Dallas will have higher electricity rates than smaller, rural towns. This is generally due to higher costs associated with elevated infrastructure and increased demand in locations with a higher, more dense population.
Rural towns may have lower costs associated with demand and infrastructure, though there is typically an increased transmission rate to supply these locations with adequate resources.
Energy Tariff and Rate
An energy tariff, or usage rate, is the pricing plan you agree to with your electricity provider and how your charge per kWh is decided. This rate directly correlates with your energy bill and is used in the equation below to calculate your monthly electricity bill.
There are multiple types of energy tariffs, and each can impact your monthly expenses differently. Fixed energy tariffs stay the same year-round and allow you to know exactly what you will be charged per kWh, no matter when you use your electricity.
Variable energy tariffs, on the other hand, can change month to month, where peak seasons may cost more than off-seasons. These rates make it harder to calculate monthly expenses, but they do benefit some homeowners.
The good news is that you typically have a choice about what rate is set. Work with your electricity company and ask what rates may be available.
Time of Year
Summers and winters are notorious for racking up energy costs. Air conditioning and heating units are some of the largest appliances in your home and take a lot of energy to power. Especially in a state like Texas, it is clear why dramatic increases or decreases in temperature could result in higher energy usage and overall costs.
While these hot and cold seasons are unavoidable, there are ways to help your AC and heating units run more efficiently. Do some research to see what temperatures you can keep your unit at to cut down on costs, even during the summer and winter months.
Portable Power Usage
Utilizing backup power sources is another highly influential factor when it comes to electricity costs. These portable units are designed to reduce traditional energy consumption by providing a cleaner, more cost-effective approach to power supply.
Homes equipped with EcoFlow Portable Power Stations will likely see a drop in overall energy costs within just a few months of having them installed.
How to Calculate the Average Electricity Bill in Texas
The first step to calculating your average electricity bill is to determine your monthly usage. There are various ways to do this, but the simplest is to look at past bills and locate where the kWh, or kilowatt-hour, is listed.
This unit of measurement is used when discussing energy use and is how electricity is measured on your monthly bill. You will also need to locate your usage rate. This rate is where your location, the size of your home, and other influential factors will be most impactful.
Once you’ve located your kWh and usage rate, it’s time to complete a simple math equation. All you need to do is multiply your monthly usage by your usage rate and divide the total by 100. This will leave you with your base monthly cost, though you may need to add in any additional fees or charges that would also be mentioned on your monthly bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas’s average is higher than most states in the country, with the average family using over 1,132 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. This is likely due to extreme weather conditions and high outdoor temperatures that require cooling units to work extra hard during warmer months.
Final Thoughts
Learning more about the costs associated with electricity and the averages in surrounding towns is an important responsibility that should be undertaken by Texas homeowners. Having a better grasp on average costs and learning to control what you can to reduce them is fully within your power. Doing this is a great investment toward a brighter, more cost-effective future, and you will quickly reap the rewards of your research. Are you ready to commit to a greener, more energy-efficient future? The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus + 220W is an excellent addition to any household and can help you reduce your monthly electricity expenses.