Estimating your monthly electricity bill
Calculate your estimated monthly electricity bill based on your energy usage, electricity rate, base charge and TDSP delivery charges.
Already a Reliant customer? Sign in to view your account.
Estimating your monthly electricity bill
Calculate your estimated monthly electricity bill based on your energy usage, electricity rate, base charge and TDSP delivery charges.
Already a Reliant customer? Sign in to view your account.
For a limited time, enroll your new home in a qualifying Reliant electricity plan and get bill credits that can help offset moving costs as you settle in.†
Understanding how much electricity your home uses can help you better estimate your monthly energy costs. Use this step-by-step guide to calculate your expected electricity bill based on your usage and plan charges, then compare Reliant plans to find one that fits your home, energy habits and budget.
Electricity Charge |
Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy usage | 1,000 kWh |
| Base charge | $5.00 |
| Energy rate per kWh | $0.10 |
| Usage-based TDSP charge | $0.05 per kWh |
| Fixed TDSP charge | $5.00 per month |
Energy Usage |
Energy Rate per kWh |
Total |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 kWh | x | $0.10 | = | $100.00 |
Energy Usage |
Usage-Based TDSP Charge |
Total |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 kWh | x | $0.05 per kWh | = | $50.00 |
Step 2 Total |
Step 3 Total |
Base Charge |
Fixed TDSP Charge |
Total |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | + | $50.00 | + | $5.00 | + | $5.00 | = | $160.00 |
If you're moving, you may not have the previous electricity bills for your new home. You can start with the home's square footage, household size and property type to estimate potential electricity usage. Then follow the same steps to estimate monthly electricity costs and compare plans based on your expected usage.
Getting familiar with the terminology on your bill can help you understand what it all means.
Your energy usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The amount of electricity you use can vary from month to month based on factors like weather, household routines and your home's energy efficiency.
The base charge is a fixed monthly fee that may be added to your monthly electricity bill. This fee may be applied to cover the operational cost of maintaining and servicing your account.
Your energy rate is the price you pay for each kWh of electricity you use. Depending on your plan, your rate may stay the same throughout your contract term or vary from month to month.
Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) delivery charges are set by your local utility company, which maintains the poles and wires that deliver energy to your home.
Your exact electricity usage varies depending on your area, the size and age of your home, the age of your appliances, weather conditions and other factors. Browse through the tabs below, which represent the overall average electricity consumption in Texas.*
Square footage |
Avg. monthly consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|
| 0 – 999 | 724.33 |
| 1,000 – 1,499 | 977.93 |
| 1,500 – 1,999 | 1,188.09 |
| 2,000 – 2,499 | 1,223.75 |
| 2,500 – 2,999 | 1,444.81 |
| 3,000+ | 1,845.13 |
Number of household members |
Avg. monthly consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 760.16 |
| 2 | 1,204.20 |
| 3 | 1,204.20 |
| 4 | 1,380.11 |
| 5 | 1,276.99 |
| 6 | 1,620.75 |
Household type |
Avg. monthly consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|
| Single family | 1,259.24 |
| Apartment | 724.03 |
Knowing the factors that impact your usage can help you manage costs and improve efficiency.
Take control of your energy costs by discovering the important details in your bill and what may lead to changes.
To estimate your monthly electricity bill, first determine how much electricity you expect to use in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Then review your plan’s Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and apply the charges and fees listed there to your estimated usage. Electricity plans have different pricing structures, so your estimated cost will depend on the terms of your specific plan. Your actual bill may also include taxes, fees and other charges based on your electricity plan and service area.
You can estimate the cost of running individual appliances by looking at their energy usage and how often they're used. Many appliances list their wattage on a label or in the owner's manual. By multiplying the appliance's wattage by the number of hours it's used, you can estimate energy consumption and associated electricity costs. To see how common household appliances and home sizes compare in electricity usage, visit our electricity consumption comparison page.
The best way to find out which TDSP services your property is to look at your current electricity bill. If you can’t find the information on your bill, call your current energy provider and ask them for the TDSP’s information. Knowing your utility company in case of a power outage or other emergency in your area is essential.
TDSP delivery charges cover the cost of delivering electricity to your home through the local transmission and distribution system. Your TDSP maintains the poles, wires, meters and other infrastructure used to deliver electricity in your area. These charges may include fixed and usage-based components and can vary by service area.
If you're moving into a new home and don't have previous electricity bills, start by estimating how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) the home may use each month. You can use the average usage for a similar home as a starting point with the home's size, expected number of occupants, appliances, HVAC system and time of year. Then, use that estimated usage with the plan's pricing and applicable TDSP delivery charges to estimate your monthly electricity cost.
Texas residential customers used an average of 1,096 kWh of electricity per month in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual usage may be higher or lower based on factors such as home size, number of occupants, weather, appliances and energy habits.
Larger homes may use more electricity because there is typically more space to heat and cool, but square footage isn't the only factor. Insulation, the HVAC system, number of occupants, appliances, thermostat settings and energy habits can also affect monthly usage. If you don't have previous usage data, your home's square footage can be a helpful starting point.
A Texas electricity bill may include an energy charge based on your usage, a monthly base charge, TDSP delivery charges, taxes, fees and other plan-related charges. Exact charges depend on your provider, plan and service area. Review your Electricity Facts Label (EFL) and Terms of Service for details.
Your electricity bill can change from month to month as your usage changes with the weather, thermostat settings, time spent at home, and use of appliances and electronics. Your total may also be affected by your plan's pricing, TDSP delivery charges, taxes, fees and other applicable charges. For example, hot Texas weather can increase usage when your air conditioner runs more often.
Generally, using more electricity increases your costs, but the amount you pay also depends on your plan's pricing. Some plans may have different rates, bill credits or other pricing features at certain usage levels. Review the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) to understand how pricing works at different usage levels.
* Usage data is sourced from the EIA’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) microdata, Choose Texas Power and EIA energy rate data.
† Offer available to new and existing Reliant customers establishing service on this qualifying Reliant electricity plan at a new service address and enrolling by December 31, 2026. Bill credits will be applied to the electricity portion of the bill only and are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Bill credits will be awarded as follows (if applicable, depending on your total bill credit award): a $125 credit on each of your third (3rd), ninth (9th), eleventh (11th) and fifteenth (15th) invoices on this plan.
