What drives electric bills in North Carolina
Residential electricity in North Carolina averaged 14.9¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 9.0% from 13.7¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 15.2¢. The typical home here used 1,015 kWh a month in 2024, 18% more than the U.S. average, so how much power you use matters as much as the price.
- Duke Energy rate increases. Duke’s multi-year rate plans include scheduled increases for grid upgrades and new generation.
- Storm costs. After Hurricane Helene caused major damage in western North Carolina in 2024, utilities began recovering repair costs through charges on bills.
- Heat pumps in both seasons. Many North Carolina homes heat and cool with heat pumps, so usage is high in both summer and winter.
Who supplies your power
Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress serve most of the state. Dominion Energy North Carolina serves the northeast, and more than 25 co-ops and 70 public power cities serve the rest.
Ways to pay less in North Carolina
- Duke Energy offers a free online home energy assessment and rebates on smart thermostats and heat pumps. Its Power Manager program pays a bill credit for letting it cycle your A/C on hot afternoons.
- In winter, keep heat pump settings steady to avoid switching on backup heat strips. A thermostat with heat pump settings helps.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $55 a month at North Carolina prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in North Carolina.
Help paying your bill in North Carolina
- Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP): North Carolina’s once-a-year heating benefit, through county social services. The Crisis Intervention Program helps with emergencies year-round.
- Duke Energy Share the Light: a fund for customers facing a crisis, handled by local agencies.
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 North Carolina?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in North Carolina produces roughly 9,450 kWh a year, about 78% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 14.9¢, that power is worth about $1,412 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 North Carolina compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 14.9¢ | 1,015 | $152 |
| Tennessee | 13.9¢ | 1,154 | $160 |
| Georgia | 15.4¢ | 1,074 | $165 |
| South Carolina | 15.9¢ | 1,050 | $167 |
| Virginia | 16.8¢ | 1,032 | $174 |
| 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.