Summer electricity bills in Texas aren’t a surprise. They’re a certainty. The only question is how much damage they’ll do to your household budget.
The average consumer in Dallas County (Dallas) will spend $939 this summer on electricity, while the average consumer in Harris County (Houston) will spend $924. That’s for the summer months of June – September.
How Much are Summer Electricity Bills in Texas?
Texas homes are large. The average home in the Dallas area runs about 1,870 square feet. In the Houston area, it’s closer to 2,031 square feet. Cooling that much space when the temperatures routinely hit 95°F for weeks at a stretch takes a serious amount of electricity.
For homes that size, you’ll use 12,115 kWh annually in the Dallas area, and 13,093 kWh in the Houston area. You’ll use a different amount of electricity each month, primarily due to heating and cooling your home.
We used data from ERCOT to estimate the monthly usage, based on how a typical home uses power over the course of the year.
Then we estimated bills using the average energy rate for a 12-month electricity plan, a $4.95 monthly base charge and the current TDU delivery charges for CenterPoint and Oncor. Here’s what those bills look like by month:
The Dallas $1000 Electricity Bill Summer
The Houston $1000 Electricity Bill Summer
August is the peak month in both markets. A typical home uses 1750-1900 kWh in August, but in February, they might use just 600 kWh. Combined, the four summer months account for over 50% of your home’s annual electricity consumption.
Methodology & Sources
Here’s how we approached this project, and our sources.
- For average home size, we used the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Housing Inventory Median Home Size in Square Feet by County as of April 2026. Dallas County: 1,870 sq ft.; Harris County 2,031 sq ft.
- We then estimated annual electricity usage by square foot using 6.48 kWh/sq foot, a number developed by ElectricityPlans.com using EIA data.
- To find the monthly usage, we then applied the ERCOT residential electricity usage curve for Oncor and CenterPoint.
- Lastly, we calculated estimated bills for each month using May 2026 TDU delivery rates, a $4.95 base charge and average 12-month fixed rate energy price from ElectricityPlans.com (8.95¢ energy for Dallas area and 8.21¢ for Houston area)
Averages give you a ballpark number. But your actual usage will be different based on the age of your home, number of occupants and how you use power. Your rate per kWh may be higher or lower than our assumptions based on when you last shopped for power.
8 Ways to Reduce Your Summer Bill
You can’t control Texas weather. But you can control how much electricity your home burns through. If you want to lower your electricity bill, here are a few ways to save on your electric bill.
1. Set your thermostat to 76°F when you’re home and higher when you’re not. The Department of Energy estimates that adjusting your thermostat 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can cut your annual cooling costs by around 10%. A smart thermostat handles this automatically. (See our recommended best thermostat settings for summer for details.)
2. Run major appliances after 8 p.m. Your dishwasher, oven and clothes dryer all generate heat and draw significant power. Using them at night keeps your AC from fighting them during the hottest part of the day.
3. Replace your air filter. A clogged filter makes your AC work harder. Change your air filter every 30-90 days.
4. Seal air leaks around doors and windows. Weatherstripping and caulk are among the cheapest home improvements there are. If you can feel outside air near a door frame in the summer, your cooled air is escaping the same way.
5. Use ceiling fans to stay cool. But remember, ceiling fans cool people, not spaces. Running a fan in an empty room just adds to your bill.
6. Block the afternoon sun. Closing blinds on south- and west-facing windows during peak afternoon hours reduces the heat load on your AC. Blackout curtains are even more effective.
7. Get your AC serviced before summer hits. An AC tune-up before the summer heat catches small problems before they turn into expensive breakdowns. A well-maintained unit runs more efficiently and uses less electricity.
8. Check your electricity plan. If your fixed-rate contract has expired and you’re now on a month-to-month variable rate, you’re paying about 30% more than you need to. Also, if you have been with the same provider for several renewal cycles? You’re probably paying 20% more than the rates they offer new customers. Time to switch.
Shop before the summer heat for the best rates. You don’t need to wait until you’re within 15 days of your contract expiration to shop. You can shop for your next electricity plan up to 60 days in advance. During enrollment, pick your new contract start date to align with your old contract expiration date.
Help Is Available If You’re Struggling
Need help paying your electricity bill this summer? Here are some options.
Payment assistance is available through Texas LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) which helps low income citizens pay their energy bills. There is also CEAP, or Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, which helps cover utility bills and funds home energy efficiency improvements. For information visit the 211Texas.org website. Go online and enter “utility assistance” in the search bar, then enter your zip code.
Your retail electricity provider also maintains a donation fund to help customers pay their bill, with a dollar-for-dollar match to customer donations. They donate these funds to local non-profits to administer the donation funds. Your REP will be able to refer you to one of these services, which are needs-based according to your income.
Providers generally have more flexibility before a bill goes past due than after. If you’re struggling, contact your electricity provider to get help.
If you don’t qualify for payment assistance and can’t pay your bill, discuss these options with your electricity provider:
- Average Billing. Average billing uses your historical usage to estimate your bill for the next year, then charges you an average amount every month. You’ll pay more in the winter, but your summer bills will be easier to budget for.
- One Time Payment Arrangement. Ask your electric company for an informal payment arrangement. See if you can pay pay a small amount now, then pay the rest in 2-3 weeks before your next bill comes out.
- Deferred Payment Plan. The Public Utility Commission of Texas requires that all REPs offer a Deferred Payment Plan (DPP). Under a DPP, you can pay a portion of the bill now, then pay the remainder over 5 billing cycles. If you fail to meet your payment arrangement, the full amount may be due immediately to avoid disconnection. And, your provider may place your account on a switch hold once you make the payment arrangement. You will not be able to switch to another REP until you pay your bill in full. To qualify for a DPP, you must not have been disconnected for non-payment during the prior 12 months.
