How much electricity does a Texas home use?

Electricity plans in Texas are advertised at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh a month. But which of those is you? And why does one number not tell the whole story? Here is what typical usage looks like and how to find your own.

The Texas average

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Texas residential customers used an average of about 1,096 kWh per month in 2024, compared with about 863 kWh for the U.S. as a whole. Hot summers, air conditioning and many all-electric homes push Texas above the national figure.

An average hides a wide range. A small apartment with gas heat might use a few hundred kWh in spring; a large all-electric house with a pool can use several thousand in August.

Rough usage by home size

When you don't know your usage, our calculator offers four starting points. Treat them as rough placeholders, not facts about your home:

The cost columns are our estimates for plans in the Oncor area as of October 2026, using our default ranking (fixed-rate plans of 6 months or more; a plan shorter than 12 months is priced at its own rate for its term and at a typical 12-month-or-longer plan for the rest of the year). They will differ in other areas and as prices change.

Size is only one factor. Insulation, window exposure, the age of your AC, electric versus gas heating and water heating, a pool pump, or an electric vehicle can move your usage more than square footage.

The summer-heavy profile

Texas usage is not flat. When you give us only a monthly average, we spread it across the year with a simplified seasonal profile based on the shape of residential demand in ERCOT. For a home that averages 1,000 kWh:

The peak month (August) is about 2.1 times the lowest month (April). Winter has a smaller bump in January from heating. This is a model, not a measurement of your home; your own pattern may be flatter or more extreme.

Why August bills can be double April

On a fixed-rate plan, the bill rises almost in step with usage. For example, for a typical mid-ranked fixed plan in the Oncor area as of October 2026, we estimate about $99 in April (700 kWh) and about $208 in August (1,500 kWh) for the same home.

Seasonality also matters when choosing a plan. A plan with a bill credit that starts at 1,000 kWh would miss the credit in 8 of 12 months for this home. That is why we estimate cost over all 12 months; see bill credits and the 999 kWh cliff and how we rank plans.

How to find your own 12-month usage

Your real history beats any average. Three places to look:

1. Your bills. Every bill shows kWh used in that billing period. Twelve bills give you a full year.
2. Your provider's online account. Many providers show a usage chart or a downloadable history.
3. Smart Meter Texas. If you have a smart meter from AEP Texas, CenterPoint, Oncor or TNMP, you can register at smartmetertexas.com using the ESI ID and meter number on your bill (Lubbock Power & Light customers: check LP&L's own usage portal or ask your provider). It shows usage by month, by day and in 15-minute intervals, and lets you download it.

Once you have 12 monthly numbers, enter them in our plan search instead of an average. The estimate will then follow your real seasons, including any months that fall below a credit threshold.

A few ways to use less

• Set the thermostat a few degrees higher in summer and use ceiling fans.
• Have your AC serviced and change filters regularly.
• Shade west-facing windows and seal obvious air leaks.
• Check the pool pump timer; many run longer than needed.
• On a time-of-use plan, shift laundry and dishwashing to the cheaper hours.

Savings depend on your home; these are general tips, not promises.

For how your utility and provider split the bill, see utility vs retail provider.