California, with sunny days and good energy policies, still sees electricity rates getting ranked among the highest in the U.S. With ever-worsening rates, many homeowners have started to wonder: Is this too much? Could I pay less here and there?
In an average electricity bill for California, the objective here is to explain the current price system per type of residence, depending on size and location, and why such a price is paid. On a more important note, we want to embark on an adventure with you towards returning to home energy storage systems as a way not only for protecting but even destabilizing an otherwise smooth energy budget.
Per the monthly average data as of August 2023:
- Average electricity usage per month: 571 kWh
- Average costs of electricity: 29.84 cents/kWh
But let me accent this: This is just an average for the whole state. Your own electric bill depends on your location, the size of your home, and what electric provider you have.
The type of home you live in significantly affects your energy consumption — and therefore your bill.
| Dwelling Type | Avg. Monthly Usage | Avg. Monthly Bill |
| Detached Single-Family Home | 801 kWh | $239 |
| Apartment | 417 kWh | $124 |
| Mobile Home | 714 kWh | $213 |
| All Households (Average) | 571 kWh | $170 |
Bigger homes, bigger electricity consumption
Generally, the bigger the house, the more heating, cooling, and lighting it requires, therefore more electricity.
Less electricity is used by apartments
Due to their pole-sharing walls and comparatively smaller volume, in general, apartments consume lesser amounts of electricity compared to houses.
More electricity paid by bigger homes
For instance, a house of bigger than 3000 sqft might see an electric bill of more than $321 or up to several hundred dollars per month.
At a general point of view, size of house correlates with use of electricity but it need not do so necessarily. Just consider for example:
A small house of 1500 sqft with 2 electric cars and electric stoves will use more electricity compared to a house of 2500 sqft with a gas stove.
This variation shows that one cannot simply take into account the house size while designing an energy plan, but will have to customize it according to the real conditions.
Your electricity bill also depends on which utility company serves your area.
| Utility Provider | Avg. Rate (¢/kWh) | Avg. Bill for Detached Home |
| PG&E | 32.5¢ | ~$260/month |
| SCE | 30.1¢ | ~$241/month |
| SDG&E | 40+¢ | ~$324/month |
Rates vary dramatically, even within the same utility. For example:
SDG&E customers often pay over 40¢ per kWh.
LADWP rates were closer to 22¢ per kWh, though rising rapidly as of June 2023.
Electricity rates are rising rapidly in California. According to a Senate report in May of 2023, residential electricity rates will rise as follows:
PG&E is rising 10.4% per year, to 42.2 cents per kWh in 2026.
SCE is rising 6% per year, to 35.3 cents per kWh in 2026.
SDG&E is rising 10.4% per year, to 56.2 cents per kWh in 2026.
By 2026, a household using 801 kWh a month would spend between $283 and $450 a month on electricity.
The grid is too old
California's grid is more than 150 years old, and it takes money to modernize it. New transmission lines, wildfire protection systems, and replacing older equipment are all accelerating.
Imported electricity is expensive
The state imports 30% of its electricity from other states, especially late in the summer when electricity demand is highest and hydroelectric output declines.
Transmission infrastructure to connect solar and wind farms to cities is expensive, especially in a big and geographically spread-out state like this.
Californians receive large electricity bills, but they benefit with one tremendous advantage: plenty of sunlight. This renders California an excellent place to install solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Benefits of home solar + energy storage
Generate your own power: Use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.
Store electricity for backup: Store excess electricity and use it during dusk or during a power outage.
Reduce your reliance on the grid: Generate your own power and buy less electricity from the grid.
Save money in the long run: Stabilize electricity prices and save money in the long run.
Defeat peak electricity rates: With time-of-use billing becoming more common, home batteries enable you to provide electricity when electricity rates are at their peak, avoiding you to pay expensive electricity bills at peak hours.
These are some of the methods that can be used to determine the efficiency of electricity in your home:
Check your bills: Find out if your electricity consumption each month is higher than the average.
Compare with similar houses: Find out how much electricity similar-sized, type, and location houses use.
Seek out "energy vampires": devices such as video games, always-on lighting, and inefficient older refrigerators that continue to draw electricity even when they are not operating.
Test appliances: Check if your appliances are Energy Star certified.
Examine HVAC systems: HVAC systems can account for 30% or more of your total electricity usage.
The price of electricity has risen so astronomically that residents urgently require realistic energy options. That's where Huijue Group comes in—they're the global leader in home energy storage solutions.
Huijue Group can help you achieve:
Radically reduce electricity bills: Produce your own electricity, use your own electricity, and reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the grid.
Increase energy independence: no longer relying on the grid, you own your own electricity.
Add property value: with installed solar and energy storage systems, your home is more valuable.
Improve grid resilience: even during an outage, electricity is still available in your home.
Huijue product features:
Residential modular lithium battery system: simple installation, suitable for any kind of home.
High-efficiency inverter: directly connected to solar power systems to improve energy conversion efficiency.
Smart EMS (Energy Management System): real-time monitoring and control of energy usage.
Outdoor power cabinet: all-weather use, no concern about poor weather.
No matter you are a Los Angeles apartment dweller or a San Diego big house dweller, Huijue's customized solutions can meet your power demand and help you fight against future challenges.
