What Is The Average Electric Bill in Ohio in 2024?

Whether you reside in the tranquil suburbs or the bustling city of Cleveland, you'll need to understand the average electric bill in Ohio. Electricity is one of the major costs of living, and there are many factors that influence the current electricity rates in Ohio.Typically, the average monthly electricity bill in Ohio is around $139.14 per month.

If you want to reduce your electricity bills or go completely off-grid with solar energy, you may consider investing in Jackery Solar Generators. These home battery backup solutions can charge most indoor appliances, like refrigerators, air conditioners, CPAP, microwaves, etc., for long hours. Thus, they help reduce your dependence on the utility grid and lower electricity bills.

What Is The Average Electric Bill in Ohio?

As per the July 2024 data released by EIA, the average electricity price in Ohio is nearly 15.92 cents per kWh, with an average electricity consumption of 874 kWh per month. Ohio has the 18th highest average electricity rate compared to other US states. While the monthly electricity bill will vary depending on the appliances used, the average bill is around $139.14.

Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)   

Here are the different types of electric bills in Ohio and their average values:

• The average residential electric rate in Ohio is 15.92 cents per kWh.
• Ohio's commercial electricity rate is lower than the residential rate and equals 10.47 cents per kWh.
• The industrial electricity rate in Ohio is 7.15 cents per kWh, much lower than residential and commercial rates.

Source: State Energy Profile Data  

Here are the 10 states with higher electricity rates than Ohio:

1. New England
2. Connecticut
3. Maine
4. Massachusetts
5. New Hampshire
6. Rhode Island
7. Vermont
8. Middle Atlantic
9. New Jersey
10. New York

Here are the 10 states with lower electricity rates than Ohio:

1. Wisconsin
2. Iowa
3. Kansas
4. Minnesota
5. Missouri
6. Nebraska
7. North Dakota
8. South Dakota
9. South Atlantic
10. Delaware

Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 

What Are The Electricity Rates in Ohio?

The electricity rate in Ohio depends on the utility company you choose. Ohio is currently served by many major utilities. Here are the top 4:

• American Electric Power (AEP):It primarily serves Central and Eastern parts of Ohio, including Columbus.
• FirstEnergy:The three main utility providers — Ohio Edison, Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison — serve major parts of Northern Ohio, including Cleveland.
• Duke Energy Ohio:It majorly operates in the Southwest part of Ohio, including Cincinnati.
• AES Ohio Or Dayton Power & Light: It covers the major parts of Western Ohio.

It might be tempting to choose the plan that offers the lowest overall electricity bills. However, that might not always be a good idea. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an energy plan to get the lowest rates and affordable bills.

How Much Energy You Use

Many residential energy providers in Ohio use tiered rates for fair charging. The price per kWh will depend on the total monthly consumption. If the household consumes below-average or above-average, the plans with tiered rates will typically charge more. For example, you'll likely pay more if your household draws an average of 500 kWh or 1500 kWh (lower or higher than the average 874 kWh).  

When You Use the Most Electricity

The next thing you need to consider is the time of energy consumption because many utility companies in Ohio use a TOU arrangement. This means the per-kWh price is lower in off-peak hours, such as early morning, and higher in on-peak hours. However, the TOU plan might not be beneficial if you use most of the electricity during peak hours.

Length of Contract

Lastly, you need to consider the contract length when choosing the electricity plan. Ohio's fixed-rate plans have a contract for anywhere from 3 to 36 months. If you select a short-term contract, companies will charge higher per kWh. If you don't want to pay more, the extended contracts would be a more affordable option.

What Are The Electricity Providers in Ohio?

According to EIA, the top electric providers in Ohio include Energy Harbor Corp, AEP Energy, Dynegy Energy East, Interstate Gas Supply, Constellation NewEnergy, and Reliant Energy Northeast. There are different electricity plans offered in Ohio:

Fixed-Rate Plans: It offers a single per kWh rate guaranteed for the length of the contract. While your electricity bills will still fluctuate based on consumption, you'll never be stuck with unexpectedly high bills due to rising costs.

Variable-Rate Plans: The electricity rate per kWh of energy varies depending on the supply and demand. This means the rate will be higher when the electricity demand is high or during a crisis.

No Deposit/Prepaid Plans: Some utility companies in Ohio waive the deposit entirely if you have good credit. If you prefer not to put down any deposit and choose a credit check, no-deposit or prepaid plans might work great.

Renewable Energy Plans: These plans generate electricity from renewable sources, including wind energy, solar, and hydroelectricity. This allows you to reduce your carbon emissions and choose clean electricity.

Business Energy Plans: As the name suggests, business energy plans are designed for companies instead of households. They have a lower per-kWh rate and are less common.

With 80+ REPs in Ohio, it can be complex to choose the best electricity provider. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

Picking Electricity Provider as New Ohio Resident

If you are moving to Ohio from another state, you can check the different benefits offered by the electricity companies. For example, they might provide introductory energy prices that typically go up after about a year, waive deposits or sign-up fees, and provide incentives.

But before you check the additional benefits, it is essential to look for the cost per kWh, the plan type (fixed or variable), and the contract term. In order to reduce electricity bills, it's recommended that you choose a fixed electricity rate plan with a year-long contract first.

Picking a New Electricity Provider in Ohio

If you already live in Ohio and are looking to switch electric providers, your priorities might be different from those of a new resident. Your first step is to scan the available providers in Ohio for a better deal. Once you've found a rate with a low electricity bill, consider the type of electric plan and the contract term.

Why Is The Electric Bill So High in Ohio?

Many Ohio residents who receive electricity from AEP Ohio's standard service have seen increased rates. As of June 2023, the new electricity price is slightly less than 12 cents per kWh, which increases overall electricity bills.

In particular, the electricity bills are rising because of high demand in Ohio and increasing fuel costs used to charge power plants. However, the electricity prices in Ohio depend on the energy provider and some other factors. Here are some factors that can lead to high bills in Ohio:

Fuel Cost

The cost of electricity varies depending on the source of generation. The price of natural gas is quite lower than that of nuclear and coal in Ohio. Since some electricity providers still rely on nuclear and coal sources, this increases the cost of electricity production.

Different Pricing Structure

Ohio follows a different pricing structure known as spinning reserve, which charges homeowners a higher price based on reserve availability. This structure is used to compensate for a shortfall in electricity supply and protect utility companies from potential losses. While the pricing structure works in favor of utility companies, customers have to pay a higher price to cover the reserve costs.

Cost of Transmission Lines

Transmission line costs are higher in Ohio than in other states. The cost of building and maintaining transmission lines is passed on to customers as high electricity bills.

Energy Usage

The rate of energy usage by customers is also taken into account when understanding the electricity bills. Residents using more electricity are charged higher rates than those who use less. For this reason, customers should pay attention to their energy usage and ensure they use the least amount possible to keep their electric bills as low as possible.

How to Lower Your Electric Bill in Ohio?

There's no doubt that the average electricity bill in Ohio is higher compared to some other states. Fortunately, there are many ways to lower the electricity bills in Ohio.

Lower Electricity Usages

Electricity bills contribute to one of the biggest portions of the monthly expenses. For example, the shared spaces and common areas of the households should have interconnected electrical systems to lower the electricity consumption.

Use Power Efficient Appliances

The household appliances you choose affect your overall electricity bills. Consider choosing Energy Star appliances, as they are designed to consume less power. For example, choose a refrigerator with an automatic defrost mode, as it uses less power. Similarly, front-loading washing machines draw less electricity and water than top-loading models.

Use Solar Generators

Solar energy is one of the renewable and cost-effective ways to reduce electricity bills. It provides clean energy and helps lower electricity bills in Ohio. Jackery Solar Generators work by converting solar energy into electricity that can be utilized to charge a variety of household appliances, like refrigerators, ACs, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

Heating and Cooling Adjustments

You will need to adjust the HVAC system throughout the season. The thermostat on the AC should be set according to the season. You can also change the thermostat settings depending on how much time you spend out or at work compared to the time spent in the apartment.

Jackery Solar Generators Explained

Jackery is one of the leading solar brands, manufacturing portable solar generators, solar panels, and power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators combine a portable Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station with foldable Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.

When the sun's rays fall on the monocrystalline silicon solar cells of the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, they are converted to DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter of the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station converts the DC to AC electricity to charge indoor or outdoor appliances.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is designed with an NMC battery of 3024 Wh and a high power output of 3000 W. The battery backup can charge 99% of home appliances, including refrigerators, ACs, coffee makers, etc. The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station can be recharged with the 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in only 3.5 hours.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus features a safe and stable LiFePO4 battery with a capacity of 2042.8 Wh. It also supports 99% of home appliances and can keep them powered for long hours. If you want more power, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station can be expanded from 2 kWh to 24 kWh with the additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus.

Average Electric Bill in Ohio FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my apartment in Ohio?

The size of the solar generator needed for Ohio apartments will depend on the number of appliances in the apartment and the hours you want to use them. Here is an example where we will calculate the working hours of the Jackery Solar Generators.

Suppose you are charging a refrigerator (800 W), coffee maker (1000 W), and LED lights (50 W) simultaneously with the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro.

Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of Appliances = 3024 Wh * 0.85 / 1850 W = 1.3 H.

The battery capacity (watt-hour) of the solar generator is multiplied by 0.85, as there will be some power loss when charging appliances.

How much is a typical electric bill so high in Ohio?

On average, Ohio residents spend around $181 per month on electricity bills, which totals $2172 per year.

Why is my electric bill so high in Ohio?

Electricity prices in Ohio depend on various factors, such as energy cost, pricing structure, transmission lines, and energy usage rate.

What is the cheapest electricity provider in Ohio?

Inspire Energy is the cheapest electricity provider in Ohio. The utility company's average rate per kWh is 7.69 cents, and this is because the electricity comes from renewable energy sources.

How much is the average gas bill in Ohio?

The average gas bill in Ohio is $148. However, the amount you pay for natural gas will depend on the time of year.

Final Thoughts

The average electricity bill in Ohio varies depending on the season, the apartment's energy efficiency, and the utility provider you choose. If you want to save money on electricity bills, consider investing in solar generators that work on free solar energy. Jackery Solar Generators, for example, are reliable and efficient battery backups that charge most home appliances for long hours to reduce the monthly electricity bills in Ohio.