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How do I determine how many kWh I use?
There are a few factors that can have a significant impact on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you use each month.
Here in Texas, the most significant impact you’ll see on your usage comes from heating and cooling.
As the summer heats up, most people blast the cold air in their homes to keep them comfortable.
Your air conditioner can account for up to 50% of your usage in the summer months and drastically increase the kWh you use.
Other significant factors that can affect the amount of electricity you use include the age of your home, insulation, and energy-efficient appliances.
To help you determine how many kWh you use each month, we built a kWh Usage Calculator that uses the size of your home in square feet (sqft), the number of occupants, and your energy usage habits.
Electricity usage calculator
Each home and apartment has its unique usage profile, so the best way to shop for electricity is with your exact usage.
Enter your home size, occupants, and energy usage habits below, and we’ll give you a rough idea of the amount of electricity in kWh you will see on your monthly electric bill.
Once you have a rough idea of how many kWh you use, you can shop for electricity plans and see all-inclusive pricing so you won’t get hit with a surprise bill.
Let’s quickly find your best energy plan.
1. Size of home:
2. Number of residents:
3. Your energy habits:
Approximate average monthly usage: 690 kWh
Disclaimer: This tool is for approximation purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed or implied.
The approximated monthly usage is based on an average over 12 months. Air conditioning and heating costs can vary and often account for up to 50 percent of your home’s energy use during different seasons.
Factors such as size of your home, weather, construction, heating and cooling equipment type, insulation, and family living habits will influence your actual usage.
Shop with confidence
The #1 most important thing to know is your home's energy usage. This 2-minute video explains why shopping with your usage is so important ⤵️
Thank you for calculating the best price for me based on my usage that I entered for the last 12 months. That saved me a lot of time. We don’t use 1,000 KHW every month, so relying on that figure alone doesn’t give us the best rate. Your calculating the best price for me (I actually chose the 2nd lowest because I wanted 100% green!) was a real time saver. And thank you for publishing the percentage of green energy. I really like your site, and the whole process was easy and seamless.
Kristen H. (TX, United States)
You’re not alone if you’re confused with all Texas energy companies and electricity plans.
Many Texans choose their electricity company based on advertisements they see on TV, brand recognition, or recommendations from friends and family.
Knowledge is power. Blindly deciding on your energy company without knowing how to shop for the best electricity plan can cost you and your family a lot more money.
Predictability is power
Some electricity plans have different discounts, fees, and pricing tiers that may or may not apply each month, depending on your usage.
We calculate each month’s bill for every plan and show you the total cost for all bills combined. Now that is powerful!
Find the RIGHT energy company and your best electricity plan in 4 simple steps.
- Gather your home’s historical kWh usage monthly for the past 12 months. The more months, the better.
- Enter your zip code and punch in your usage month by month.
- Compare the best plans for your home’s custom usage.
- Enroll online or over the phone in about 5 minutes.
Determine kWh usage for a new home
How many kWh does a house use?
The average Texas home uses around 1,200 kWh / month. Many factors determine the kWh consumption for a house, such as age, insulation, the outside temperature, and your consumption habits.
What if you’re moving into a new home and do not have past or historical usage?
If you’re moving into a new home, you won’t have any previous electricity usage data to rely on for shopping.
The best option would be to get the previous owner’s historical usage which would give you a rough idea of how much electricity that home uses each month.
Remember that you’ll have different electricity usage habits than the previous owner, so it won’t be 100% accurate.
If you don’t have access to any previous usage data, or the home is a new build, use our electricity usage calculator to get a rough idea of how much electricity you’ll use each month.
We recommend you go with a 12-month fixed-rate contract which will give you a great balance between cheap rates and pricing stability throughout the year.
Once you have made it through the first year in your new home, you’ll have a complete historical usage profile and can shop for a new electricity plan in the most accurate way possible.
How to switch electricity providers
Electricity providers are happy to use the end of your current energy contract as a chance to increase your rates.
You should shop for new energy rates each year and potentially save hundreds of dollars each year by switching.
Is your energy contract ending or expired? Letting your contract lapse can be costly. Learn how electricity contract renewals work in Texas.
Switching is easy because your new electricity company handles everything, including cancellation.
The switch only takes minutes, and you could realize savings in the first month.
Learn how to switch energy companies in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average kWh usage for a 2,000 sq ft home?
Typically a 2000-square-foot home in Texas can use anywhere from 1000kWh to 2000+ kWh each month, depending on the time of year.
Factors such as the age of the home, electric heating, and swimming pools can contribute to the monthly electric consumption.
Use our estimator tool to better understand your home’s kWh usage, then find the right energy plan for your home.
How to get the right energy plan with your home’s kWh usage.
Electricity in Texas is priced according to how many kWh of energy you use each month.
Compare plans with your home’s annual kWh usage on ComparePower for maximum savings on your electric bill.
Shopping with your kWh usage takes into account usage fluctuations due to seasonality and discounts due to usage credits and lets you compare energy plans apples to apples.
How many Watts are in a kilowatt?
A kilowatt is 1,000 watts.
A watt is a unit of energy transfer. The electric company measures your electricity consumption in kilowatts.
What is a kilowatt?
A kilowatt is a unit of power. It is equal to 1000 watts.
How many watts does a refrigerator use?
A refrigerator uses between 300-700 watts of electricity. To find out how much power your unit actually needs, check the small plate on the back of your fridge.
How many watts does a TV use?
A modern TV can consume 10W to 117W (0.5W to 3W on standby).
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