Plain-English guide
Why is my electric bill so high?
Last reviewed: · Independent — no supplier commissions.
Specific situation? Summer bill spike → · Bill suddenly doubled → · Will bills go down? →
A higher bill usually comes down to four things. Three are about how much power you used or how it's delivered — but one, a supplier charging more than your utility's standard rate, is an overcharge you can fix in about 30 seconds. Here's how to tell which is yours.
Start here: are you overpaying for the electricity itself?
Free, runs on your device, we never see your numbers and never try to switch you.
Check my rateThe big 2025–26 reason
If your bill jumped this year, it's probably the PJM capacity spike
Across most of the mid-Atlantic and Midwest, the single biggest driver right now is a regional electricity auction — the PJM capacity market — where the price the grid pays power plants to stay available jumped about 830% (from $28.92 to $269.92/MW-day). It flows onto the supply line of your bill, and it's not your utility's profit — that part is a pass-through with no markup.
See your utility's exact rate change and what's driving it →1. A rate increase just took effect
In 2025-26, most of the increase is the PJM capacity spike flowing into your default supply rate — and some utilities also have a separate distribution rate case at the state commission. We break down your utility's exact change and which part is which.
2. A third-party supplier is charging more than your utility
If you ever signed up with a competitive supplier — often a teaser rate that later spiked — you may be paying well above your utility's standard rate. This is the most common fixable cause, and you can check it in 30 seconds.
3. You simply used more electricity
Heat waves, cold snaps, a new appliance, or more people at home all push usage up. Compare your kWh this month to the same month last year — it's on your bill. Usage-driven spikes aren't an overcharge, but the audit still tells you if your rate is fair.
4. Delivery charges, not just supply
Your bill has two big parts: supply (the electricity itself) and delivery (getting it to you). Switching suppliers only changes the supply half. The audit compares the supply rate — the part you can actually shop.
Common questions
- Why did my electric bill go up so much this month?
- The three most common reasons are a recent rate increase approved by your state utility commission, a third-party supplier charging more than your utility's standard rate, or higher usage from weather or new appliances. Only the supplier overcharge is fixable in minutes — a free bill audit tells you instantly whether that's your situation.
- How do I lower my electric bill quickly?
- The fastest lever is your supply rate. If a competitive supplier is charging more than your utility's standard rate (the Price to Compare in PA, the Standard Service Offer in OH), you can drop them and return to the utility rate — usually within 1–2 billing cycles. Check your contract for an early termination fee first.
- Is my electricity supplier ripping me off?
- Compare your supplier's rate, in cents per kWh, to your utility's standard rate. For example, PPL's standard rate is 13.079¢/kWh as of July 19, 2026. If your supplier charges more, you're paying extra for the same electricity. RateWatchdog's free audit does this comparison in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
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