What drives electric bills in Delaware
Residential electricity in Delaware averaged 17.9¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 6.6% from 16.8¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 18.5¢. The typical home here used 911 kWh a month in 2024, close to the U.S. average.
- Supply rate changes. Delmarva’s Standard Offer Service price is reset on a set schedule, and increases in 2025 followed higher PJM capacity costs.
- Electric heat. Many Delaware homes, especially newer ones and those in Sussex County, heat with heat pumps, so cold snaps raise winter bills.
- Summer cooling. Humid summers keep A/C running for months.
Who supplies your power
Delmarva Power serves northern Delaware and parts of the rest of the state, Delaware Electric Cooperative serves most of Kent and Sussex counties, and nine towns, including Dover, Newark and Lewes, run their own municipal utilities.
Ways to pay less in Delaware
- Delmarva Power customers can choose a third-party supplier. Compare its price with the Standard Offer Service rate printed on your bill.
- Energize Delaware offers rebates and low-interest loans for heat pumps, insulation and other upgrades, and free weatherization for income-eligible homes.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $65 a month at Delaware prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Delaware.
Shopping for a cheaper plan in Delaware
Delaware lets many homes choose who supplies their electricity. Before you switch, compare offers at your own usage, not just the advertised price: at the 911 kWh a typical home here uses, every 1¢ per kWh is worth about $109 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 Delaware
- LIHEAP: Delaware’s Fuel Assistance program, run through Catholic Charities, helps with heating and cooling bills.
- Utility assistance: Delmarva and Delaware Electric Co-op both have bill-payment assistance funds and budget billing.
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 Delaware?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Delaware produces roughly 8,750 kWh a year, about 80% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 17.9¢, that power is worth about $1,563 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 Delaware compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 17.9¢ | 911 | $163 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.0¢ | 817 | $172 |
| Maryland | 21.3¢ | 929 | $198 |
| New Jersey | 24.0¢ | 662 | $159 |
| 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.