Full checklist
Why is my electric bill so high?
Separate higher kWh from a rate change, longer billing period, estimated reading, or a new major electrical load.
Bill diagnosis guides
Find out why your electricity bill changed—before buying anything.
Start with the bill, then narrow the likely cause by season, equipment, and usage pattern. These guides are designed to help you ask better questions of your utility or a qualified professional.
Start with the problem you see
Choose the guide that most closely matches the change on your bill. Each one links to the next sensible check instead of assuming a product is the solution.
Sudden spike
Did your bill suddenly double?
Compare kWh, billing days, rate components, and interval data before assuming an appliance or meter is at fault.
Summer cooling
Is the bill high in summer?
Review cooling runtime, thermostat behavior, solar heat, airflow, and other seasonal loads.
Investigate the likely equipment
Heating, cooling, water heating, and controls can create much larger changes than standby devices. Use safe observations first and get qualified help for electrical or HVAC work.
Cooling
Can an old AC raise your bill?
Learn which symptoms point to runtime, maintenance, airflow, or equipment diagnosis rather than a simple replacement claim.
Hot water
Could the water heater be the load?
Check demand changes, leaks, controls, and safe signs that professional service is appropriate.
Controls
Could the thermostat be involved?
Review schedules, modes, sensor location, runtime, and issues that can imitate a control problem.
Use data before a device recommendation
If the question is when the whole home uses more electricity, utility interval data or a properly selected energy monitor can be more informative than a small plug-in device. See whether a home energy monitor is worth it and which measurement method fits the question.