Rates & plans
Understand the price before you choose the plan.
THE HOUSEHOLD ENERGY FIELD GUIDE · US EDITION
electricity rates and energy plan comparison
A clearer view of your energy bill.
The cheapest-looking rate is only the beginning. Put usage, delivery charges, and contract terms on the same page before you switch.
- Your numbers, not advertised averages
- Electricity and natural gas, explained
- Independent guides · No supplier rankings
01 / Start with the right question
Bill workshop
Turn your own usage into a useful cost comparison.
Consumer playbook
Spot contract traps, resolve problems, and find official help.
02 / Read the small print
Rates & plans
How to compare electricity plans without comparing the wrong price
Build a fair electricity plan comparison using your utility territory, annual kWh, supply charges, delivery costs, and written contract terms.
Consumer playbook
Energy shopping checklist: the documents and questions to prepare
Prepare your utility bill, usage history, contract disclosure, fee comparison, renewal reminder, and trusted enrollment route before switching.
Bill workshop
How to estimate home EV charging cost without double-counting losses
Estimate home electric vehicle charging from wall kWh or mileage, account for charging losses once, and compare time-of-use tariffs fairly.
Rates & plans
Fixed vs variable electricity rates: what actually stays fixed?
Compare supply-rate certainty, variable pricing risk, monthly fees, and renewal conditions before choosing an electricity contract.
Bill workshop
How to read an electricity bill and check the math
Follow billed kWh, meter dates, supply, delivery, account balances, and unit prices in a practical electricity bill walkthrough.
Consumer playbook
Why did my electricity or gas bill suddenly increase?
Separate usage, billing days, rate changes, estimated readings, and account balances before deciding why an energy bill increased.
03 / Put your numbers to work
Electricity plan cost calculator
Compare two offers at your own kWh usage, including delivery and monthly fees.
Time-of-use break-even calculator
Test how much of your usage can stay off peak before changing your plan.
Natural gas bill calculator
Convert Ccf to therms with your billed factor and check the estimated charge.
Before-you-switch checklist
Check eligibility, price details, contract dates, and account safety before enrolling.
Choose a pricing structure, not a headline rate
| Structure | How pricing works | Useful when | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed supply rate | Contracted supply unit rate for a stated term | You value supply-price stability | Delivery, taxes, usage, fees, and renewal can still change the bill |
| Variable supply rate | Supply price can change under contract terms | You can monitor changes and accept uncertainty | Price-setting method, notices, and cancellation |
| Utility default supply | Service available under your utility or local default arrangement | You want a baseline for shopping | Current tariff period and what the price includes |
| Time-of-use | Different unit prices in specified time bands | You can move material usage away from peak hours | Seasons, weekends, holidays, meter eligibility, and fees |
Frequently asked questions
Can everyone in the US choose an electricity supplier?
No. Retail choice depends on the state, utility territory, and customer eligibility. Ask your distribution utility or state utility regulator before comparing competitive offers.
Does a fixed rate mean a fixed monthly bill?
Usually it describes the supply unit rate for a stated term. Usage, delivery charges, fees, and taxes can still affect the amount due. Read the price disclosure.
Are the calculator defaults current rates?
No. Every default is illustrative and editable. Enter the rates and charges from your own bill and written offer; results are estimates, not quotes.
Can I compare gas priced per Ccf with gas priced per therm?
First convert both prices to the same unit using the appropriate billed conversion factor. A Ccf measures volume; a therm measures heat.
Will switching suppliers fix an outage?
Supplier choice generally concerns energy supply, while the distribution utility handles the local network. Use the utility’s official outage or emergency contact.
Do you sell energy plans or take enrollment details?
No. We publish educational comparisons and browser-based tools. We do not enroll users or ask for utility account numbers.
What should I do if I cannot pay my bill?
Contact the utility through a trusted number and ask about arrangements and local assistance. LIHEAP eligibility and benefits are determined locally; do not assume that applying automatically pauses a shutoff.
How this site is made
Watt & Ledger is an independent information project. Guides are drafted with the help of AI writing tools and checked against official and primary sources before publication; see our Editorial Policy. We are not affiliated with any provider mentioned on the site and do not sell products or services.