What drives electric bills in Vermont
Residential electricity in Vermont averaged 24.0¢ per kWh in January–July 2026, up 6.6% from 22.5¢ in the same months a year earlier (the U.S. average went up 6.9%). In July 2026, the latest month available, it was 23.8¢. The typical home here used 574 kWh a month in 2024, 33% less than the U.S. average, so a high bill usually points to the price per kWh or to one big appliance.
- Long winters. Cold, dark months mean more lighting, more time indoors and, for a growing number of homes, electric heat from heat pumps.
- Rural lines and storm repairs. Many miles of line serve relatively few customers, and storm damage and flooding repairs are paid through rates.
- Rate increases are approved yearly. Utilities file rate cases with the state, and increases usually take effect once a year.
Who supplies your power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves about three quarters of Vermonters. Burlington Electric, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Washington Electric Cooperative and several small municipal utilities serve the rest.
Ways to pay less in Vermont
- Efficiency Vermont offers rebates on heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, insulation and appliances, plus bigger incentives for income-eligible households.
- Ask your utility about off-peak programs. Some Vermont utilities offer discounts or credits for charging an electric car or running appliances when demand is low.
For example, a 1,500 W space heater running 8 hours a day costs about $87 a month at Vermont prices. Check what your appliances cost to run in Vermont.
Help paying your bill in Vermont
- Energy Assistance Program: some Vermont utilities, including GMP, offer a monthly discount for lower-income households. Ask your utility and your local community action agency.
- Seasonal Fuel Assistance: Vermont’s LIHEAP program helps with heating bills, including electric heat.
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 Vermont?
A typical 7 kW rooftop system in Vermont produces roughly 8,050 kWh a year, about 100% of what an average home here uses. At the state’s average price of 24.0¢, that power is worth about $1,928 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 Vermont compares with nearby states
| State | Price per kWh | kWh a month | Typical bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 24.0¢ | 574 | $137 |
| New Hampshire | 26.8¢ | 619 | $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.