What drives electric bills in Connecticut
Residential electricity in Connecticut averaged 28.0¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, down 7.7% from 30.3¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 24.2¢. The typical home here used 695 kWh a month in 2024, 19% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- The standard service rate resets twice a year. Eversource and UI change the supply price on January 1 and July 1. A winter bill can jump simply because the new price took effect, even if you used the same kWh.
- New England runs on natural gas. Most of the region’s power plants burn gas, and in cold snaps the gas pipelines into New England get tight, which pushes winter power prices up.
- Fixed and public-benefits charges. State programs for efficiency, hardship protection and contracts with power plants are paid through delivery charges, so even a small bill carries a large fixed part.
Who supplies your power
Eversource serves most of the state and United Illuminating (UI) serves the New Haven and Bridgeport area. A few towns, such as Norwich, Groton and Wallingford, have their own municipal utilities.
Ways to pay less in Connecticut
- Compare the supply rate on your bill with the standard service rate before signing with a third-party supplier, and set a reminder for when any fixed-rate contract ends: many roll over to a much higher variable price.
- Ask about a free Home Energy Solutions visit through Energize CT. A technician seals air leaks and can install efficient lighting and water fixtures for a small co-pay.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $102 a month at Connecticut prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Connecticut.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in Connecticut
Connecticut lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 695 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $83 a year. Prefer fixed-rate plans of 12 months or more, check the early cancellation fee, and note when the contract ends.
Help paying your bill in Connecticut
- Hardship protection: if you qualify, your utility cannot shut off service between November 1 and May 1 for nonpayment. Ask about the Matching Payment Program, which credits payments you make on an overdue balance.
- Operation Fuel is a nonprofit that helps Connecticut households with energy bills year-round, including those who earn too much for state aid.
Statewide help is in addition to the federal programs, such as LIHEAP and weatherization, that the bill checker above lists. Call 211 to find the agency that handles them near you.
Is solar worth it in Connecticut?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Connecticut produces roughly 8,400 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 28.0¢, that power is worth about $2,349 a year. What you actually save depends on your roof, the price you pay for the system, the 30% federal tax credit rules in effect when you buy, and how your utility credits the power you send to the grid. Get at least three quotes before you decide.
How Connecticut compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 28.0¢ | 695 | $194 |
| Rhode Island | 29.2¢ | 567 | $166 |
| New York | 29.4¢ | 571 | $168 |
| Massachusetts | 30.1¢ | 570 | $172 |
| U.S. average | 18.2¢ | 863 | $157 |
Price: average residential price, January–July 2026, U.S. Energy Information Administration (Electric Power Monthly, tables 5.6.A and 5.6.B). Usage: average monthly consumption per home, 2024, EIA form EIA-861. Typical bill = typical usage × current average price. Solar output is a rough estimate for a south-facing roof.