What Is The Average Electric Bill in Virginia [2024 Updated]

What Are The Electric Rates in Virginia?

The electric rate, sometimes referred to as the electric tariff, is the price consumers pay for electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate can vary on multiple factors, like the type of customer (residential, commercial, or industrial), the time of year, and the source of the electricity. As per the ongoing market trends, utility companies and regulatory bodies determine the electric rate of any state. These rates generally include the costs related to generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity.

Different City Rates

Virginia spans over 42,000 square miles and has an estimated population of 8.6 million. Given the large area and customer base, different cities have different electricity rates, for instance:

Virginia Beach: The average residential electricity rate in Virginia Beach, VA, is 14 ¢/kWh, which is slightly lower than the state's average rate of 14.72 ¢/kWh.

Charlottesville: Charlottesville has a higher average rate of 15 ¢/kWh, which results in a monthly average electric bill of $189.

Richmond: Richmond, VA, has a slightly lower electricity bill than Virginia Beach. Residents here get the electricity at the rate of 13.8 ¢/kWh.

Alexandria: Alexandria also falls in the range of Richmond, where the residents typically pay about 14.2 ¢/kWh.

Here is a detailed table explaining the change in the electricity rates in Virginia and other states:

As of June 2024, the residential electricity rate in Virginia is 15.31 ¢/kWh, with commercial rates at 9.54 ¢/kWh and industrial rates at 8.84 ¢/kWh. These rates compare favorably to the nationwide averages, where residential rates are 16.41 ¢/kWh, commercial rates are 13.10 ¢/kWh, and industrial rates are 8.44 ¢/kWh.

According to the official data, Virginia's residential rates are lower than the national average, while its industrial rates are slightly higher. This variation highlights this state's competitive electricity pricing for residential and commercial consumers. However, the industrial sector could be improved to align more closely with the nationwide average.

Factors Affecting Electricity Rates

There are several factors that influence the mentioned electricity rate in Virginia. For instance:

Use of Natural Gas and Nuclear Power

Virginia relies heavily on natural gas and nuclear power, which tend to be less cost-effective than other sources of electricity, like coal or petroleum.

Infrastructure and Maintenance Costs

Another factor that influences the electricity rates depends on infrastructure and maintenance costs, which are associated with the transmission and distribution network.

Regulatory Policies

Virginia has different energy initiatives that also play a crucial role in determining the average electricity rates. For instance, Virginia's net metering law enables customers of investor-owned and cooperative electric utilities to install solar systems to generate their own electricity.

What Are The Electric Plans in Virginia?

In Virginia, residents and businesses have access to various electric plans. Each plan by different service providers is designed to meet diverse needs and preferences. The primary types of electric plans are fixed-rate, variable-rate, prepaid, and green energy plans.

Fixed-Rate Plans

As the name states, the fixed-rate plans are the ones in which the electricity rate remains constant irrespective of the market trend. For instance, if you have signed a contract with a service provider that is offering electricity at a rate of 14.72 ¢/kWh and there is a sudden spike in the market rates, then you don't have to worry as you will still be paying the pre-discussed amount. However, this becomes problematic when there is a dip in the market rates and you are still under the yearly contract with the provider.

Variable-Rate Plans

With variable-rate plans, the electricity rate can change monthly based on market conditions. So, in some months, you might pay at the rate of 14.72 ¢/kWh, but in other months, you might pay higher or lower, depending on the market's conditions. These plans are ideal for those whose energy consumption increases during periods of low power demands.

Prepaid Plans

Prepaid plans are special plans that allow customers in Virginia to pay for electricity in advance. These plans are specially designed for those who wish to manage their electricity expenses more closely. Most electricity providers send SMS or app notifications when the customer's balance is low. This way, they can either recharge their account or manage their usage accordingly.

Choosing the Best Electricity Plan in Virginia

Finding the best electric plan in Virginia involves a few key steps that ensure that you select the one that best fits your monthly allocated budget and overall energy needs that would charge and power all of your required appliances. Some of the common tips that you need to consider while choosing the electricity plan in Virginia are:

Analyze Energy Usage

Gather all of your appliances and note down their wattage. Now calculate for how long you are going to use all of these appliances. This way, you will get your average monthly consumption. Once you have gathered this information, check out the rates and understand which plan matches your usage pattern.

Compare Plans

You can evaluate different electricity plans based on your usage and behavior. For instance, if you have a limited number of appliances, you can choose fixed-rate plans. However, if the number of residents changes in your place and you are unsure of the number of appliances one is going to use, you can check out variable-rate plans. You can go ahead with green energy plans if you want more sustainable choices.

Consider Contract Length

Discuss it with your family and finalize if you need a short-term or a long-term contract with your electricity suppliers. Some companies offer different rates based on the duration of the contract. While long-term contracts often provide lower rates, you will be bound to use their services even if you find a better alternative.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Virginia?

The estimated cost to live in Virginia is approximately $3,500 per month for a single person and around $7,000 per month for a family of four. However, these charges can vary significantly based on the city and an individual's lifestyle. Additionally, the different utilities and their usage also influence the overall cost of living. For instance:

Electricity

With an average monthly consumption of 1086 kWh and a residential electric rate of 15.31 ¢/kWh, the electricity bill in VA is $166.26. The bill varies depending on the city, number of appliances, and usage behavior.

Water

Water services vary per the gallon that a family of one or four uses monthly. Typically, water would cost $36.00 per month.

Natural Gas

Unlike Minnesota, which has extreme weather conditions, Virginia's seasonal extremes vary from average lows of 25°F or 4°C in January to average highs of 86°F or 30 °C in July. During the winter, most people use excess natural gas for cooking and heating, which adds roughly $103.07 to their monthly cost.

Broadband Internet

Broadband internet is comparatively cheaper in Virginia. On average, one pays $25 for a decent broadband speed. However, if you go ahead with a bundled cable TV package and a high-speed broadband Internet connection, then this utility cost would increase.

Garbage Removal

In Virginia, garbage removal or disposable services cost $57 per month. However, if you have a large family and your monthly trash volume exceeds, you might need to pay an extra amount.

Food

The grocery bill depends on the city and lifestyle. For instance, according to user experience, one has to pay $150 a week for groceries, $20 a meal for fast food, and roughly $30 - $50 if one dines out at a restaurant. That said, a single person's monthly charges range from $300 - $400.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs in Virginia vary according to the provider. However, health insurance costs approximately $450 for an individual, not including out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Here is a detailed breakdown of monthly utility expenses in Virginia:

As you can notice, VA's average monthly utility cost is slightly in the upper range. If you wish to reduce the cost, then you can adhere to the following tips:

Public Transport: Always prefer taking public transport over your own vehicle. The monthly bus charges are comparatively lower than the fuel expense.

Home Dining: Instead of going out to expensive restaurants, you can habitually eat at home.

Use Induction: Instead of natural gas, you can make your food using an induction cooker and cooktop. You can plug the induction cooktop into the Jackery Solar Generator to even cut down your electricity charges.

How to Lower My Electric Bill in Virginia?

If you wish to lower your average electric bill in VA, you must first estimate your monthly electricity usage.

The estimation starts by reviewing your past electricity bills and the overall consumption in kilowatt-hours. You can also use an electricity usage monitor to measure the power consumption of certain heavy-wattage appliances, like air conditioners, refrigerators, electric grills, etc. Now calculate the daily usage of these appliances by multiplying the device's wattage by the number of hours you minted to use them daily.

For instance, a 100-watt light bulb that is used for 5 hours a day would consume 0.5 kWh daily. Similarly, a 500-watt refrigerator continuously running throughout the day would consume 12 kWh.

Tips For Estimating Electricity Usage

Here are a couple of tips that would help you estimate the electricity usage:

Check Appliance Labels: Understanding the appliances and their wattage is one of the easiest ways to understand their consumption. You can check out their respective labels to learn about their wattage. Later, you can multiply the said wattage by the number of hours you intend to use them.

Use Online Calculators: Several websites offer estimates of electricity usage. You can also check marketplaces to learn about appliances you might buy soon.

Smart Meters: You can install smart meters at your place. These meters are designed to provide the real-time energy usage of all of your connected appliances. You can also learn about high-consumption appliances.

Tips for Lowering Electric Bills

There are several easy-to-use methods that can help you lower your monthly average electric bill in VA. You can lower the bill using energy-efficient appliances, optimizing your energy use, and even considering renewable energy options.

Energy Efficient Appliances

You can always replace your old appliances with ENERGY STAR-rated models. For example, if your household still has an old refrigerator that uses about 600W and runs for 8 hours daily, it would consume 4.8kWh. But if you replace it with an ENERGY STAR-rated model, it can reduce the consumption by up to 20%.

Switch to LED Lighting

If you are still using incandescent bulbs, try replacing them with LED bulbs. They consume less electricity than incandescent ones.

Solar Power

You can even install solar panels at your home to reduce your dependency on power supplies. Solar power systems offset a portion of your electricity consumption. With net metering, you can even receive credit for the excess power generated, which helps lower your bills. Solar panel installation costs around $15000 to $23000, and if you are looking for more economical ways, you can check out Jackery Solar Generators.

There are several benefits of going ahead with solar power, like:

• Solar panels reduce your electricity bills by generating your own power. Over the long term, you can save thousands of dollars.
• Unlike fuel-generated energy, solar is a clean and renewable source that reduces carbon footprint.
• By generating your own electricity, you become less reliant on the grid.

Jackery Solar Generators for Lowering Your Electric Bills

Jackery is an international manufacturer of solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. The company was founded in 2012 and since then, it has acquired multiple patents when it comes to renewable solar energy. With free shipping in the contiguous United States, Jackery has sold more than 4 million units since its inception.

Jackery Solar Generator is a powerful unit with a high-capacity battery, enough to charge and power your household appliances, such as an electric grill, microwave oven, air conditioner, and CPAP machine.

The unit comes with a Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panel that harnesses solar energy through its monocrystalline silicon cells with a honeycomb-like structure. The harnessed energy from the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station is converted into AC electricity using a pure sine wave inverter that charges your appliances.

Jackery Solar Generators are compact and portable units that help you to carry them in and around your residence. Furthermore, with multiple output ports, you can charge several of your household appliances in one go. This way, you can reduce your average electric bill in VA.

You can check out a few Jackery Solar Generators and their working hours with different appliances to learn which one is an ideal generator for your needs:

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is specifically designed for those who frequently face extended power cuts or live outdoors and are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on power outlets. The high-capacity battery of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro lets you charge the air conditioner, refrigerator, ceiling fans, lights, etc.

Appliances Working Hours

• Dishwasher (1500W): 1.7H
• Electric Heater (1200W): 2.1H
• Frying Pan (1150W): 2.2H
• Hand Iron (1000W): 2.5H
• Portable Vacuum Cleaner (800W): 3.2H

Customer Review

"The Jackery 3000 Pro with solar panels meets our needs and is a lot more economical, easy to use, and convenient to store." -- Mark Zais.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

If your primary aim is to reduce your average electric bill in VA while not compromising on your everyday electric usage, you should check out Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. This portable unit is ideal for off-grid living, RVing, and powering your house during extended blackouts.

Appliances Working Hours

• Dishwasher (1500W): 1.1H
• Electric Heater (1200W): 1.4H
• Frying Pan (1150W): 1.5H
• Hand Iron (1000W): 1.7H
• Portable Vacuum Cleaner (800W): 2.1H

Customer Review

"Very good quality, battery last a very long time. Very easy to move around with the built-in tires. Love the upgradeability. The best solar generator I have ever had." -- Marc.

Virginia Average Electric Bill FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my house in Virginia?

The size of solar generator you will require in Virginia depends on your daily usage and appliances' wattages. If you only wish to power small appliances, you can go ahead with small solar generators, but if you aim to charge multiple high-wattage appliances, we recommend checking out large solar generators.

For instance, if you are using a Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro and wish to charge your air conditioner (1000W) and LED (10W), then the total working hours can be calculated using the following formula:

Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances

Working Hours = 3024Wh * 0.85/ 1010W = 2.5H

Note: This solar generator's battery capacity is multiplied by 0.85, so we can consider the overall power loss during appliance charging.

How much are utilities per month in Virginia?

Typically, utilities in Virginia cost $200 - $350 per month. This estimate includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage disposal services. However, these costs can vary depending on the household size and appliance efficiency.

What state has the highest electric bill?

With an average electricity rate of 42.45 ¢/kWh, Hawaii has the highest electric bill, approximately $218.61. Although 31% of Hawaii's electricity is generated from renewables, residents always see a hike in their monthly average electric bills due to its remote location and reliance on imported fuel.

Is Virginia an expensive state to live in?

No, Virginia is not an expensive state to live in when compared to states like Northern Virginia or Washington D.C., which tend to be more expensive due to higher housing and utility costs.

Why is my electric bill so high all of a sudden in 2024?

There can be several reasons behind a sudden increase in your electricity bills, like a change in the electricity rates in 2024 or a change in usage patterns due to extremely hot weather.

Reduce Electric Bill in VA With Solar Energy

The average electric bill in VA is $166.26 and may cross $200 if your monthly electricity consumption increases. With residential rates at 15.31 ¢/kWh, people in Virginia are always looking for ways to reduce their bills. While Virginia offers a moderately expensive living environment, leveraging state incentives for renewable energy can reduce your monthly charges. If you want an economical and reliable energy source, check out Jackery Solar Generators. The sturdy and compact design and powerful battery ensures that you can fast charge your household and outdoor appliances on the go.