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

The average electric bill in MN also depends on the house size, the number of appliances, their respective wattage, and whether energy-efficient appliances are used. Moreover, a typical American household pays 38% of its home's total energy on HVAC systems and 30% on water heating.

Your apartment's size, location, and number of residents directly influence your monthly electric bill. For instance, the average electric bill for a one-bedroom apartment in MN is around $120 per month if there is only one occupant. However, if more occupants use different appliances for longer periods, the average monthly bill would increase accordingly.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Minnesota?

Minnesota currently ranks 26th in a list of states with the lowest to the highest cost of living. If you aim to move to Minnesota to admire its lakes and rivers or just wish to understand your monthly budget, then it is essential to understand the cost of living in Minnesota.

In order to understand the cost of living in Minnesota, you will need to break down the common utilities. For instance, the common utilities that add up to the monthly expense are:

Electricity

The average electricity consumption is 940kWh per month. With an average rate of 16 ¢/kW, the monthly bill adds up to $150.

Natural Gas

In Minnesota, temperatures can drop as low as −60 °F or −51.1 °C. Natural gas is primarily used here to combat this extreme cold. The cost of the monthly average consumption of natural gas varies based on household size and energy efficiency, but on average, it comes to around $80 - 100 per month.

Water and Sewer

The cost of water is generally included in the cost of housing. But if calculated separately, the cost of water and sewer comes to around $70. This average cost also depends on the location and water usage habits in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Garbage/Trash Removal

Garbage and trash removal add another $30 - $40 per month to the cost of living in Minnesota. This cost also varies depending on the service provider and the frequency of pickup.

Internet and Cable TV

The internal and cable costs roughly $60 - $100 per month. This cost includes high-speed internet and a basic cable TV package. The monthly cost can vary depending on your cable services and provider.

According to MN Employment and Economic Development, the yearly cost of living for a family of three with no children in Minnesota is roughly $34,704, which includes a monthly expenditure of $419 on food, $160 on health care, $1021 on housing, $150 on electricity, $572 on transport, and $720 on miscellaneous and taxes.

Tips for Lowering Utility Cost

The average yearly cost of living in Minnesota is $34,000, which is 48.08% lower than that of Massachusetts, where the cost of living is $61,944. That said, there is always some scope to lower the average living cost. Here are some tips that would help you in the long run:

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

If your budget allows, start investing in appliances with an ENERGY STAR rating that helps reduce your electricity consumption. These upgraded appliances use less power and can significantly lower your electric bill over time.

Use Programmable Thermostats

You can also install a programmable thermostat in your apartment or building. These thermostats adjust the temperature when you are not home, helping reduce heating and cooling costs without compromising your comfort.

Optimize Lighting

Most houses still use incandescent bulbs, which consume a lot of energy. Try replacing them with LED bulbs to reduce your electric bill. For instance, an incandescent bulb consumes around 60W, whereas the LED consumes 10W. With an average rate of 16 ¢/kW in Minnesota, one can save $8.76 annually with a single LED bulb.

Use Solar Energy

Solar energy can always reduce your monthly electric cost. It further contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solution. For instance, if you get a Jackery Solar Generator, you can charge 99% of your household appliances and reduce the need for an on-grid power supply when working in outdoor locations or living in RVs.

How to Calculate My Electric Bill?

If your monthly average bill has suddenly increased, then you must have seen a spike in your monthly utility cost as well. Calculating the electric bill will help you understand various components and explore different methods to manage and reduce consumption. By breaking down these elements, you can get a clearer picture of energy costs and easy ways to minimize them.

Understanding Your Electric Bill

In order to understand the electric bill, one should first get acquainted with different energy generation sources. The United States currently employs various sources to generate electricity, like natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, nuclear, and renewable sources like solar and wind. If you wish to reduce your electric bill, it is recommended to go ahead with a mix of these sources.

Reading Electric Bill

Each bill typically includes detailed sections such as energy generation, transmission, and distribution costs. Some of the most common charges that you can find on your electric bill are:

Customer Charge

Customer charges are a fixed monthly fee that covers the cost of maintaining the electrical grid and an individual account. The customer charges are mostly fixed and constitute a minimum amount that one has to pay regardless of how much electricity they use.

Generation Charge

Generation charges are the overall cost of producing the electricity that one uses. They are calculated per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and reflect the expenses related to generating electricity from various sources.

Transmission Charge

Transmission charges cover the cost of moving electricity from power plants to local substations and are also calculated per kWh.

Distribution Charge

Distribution charges are the overall cost of delivering electricity from local substations to your home, commercial, or industrial building. Similarly to generation and transmission charges, the distribution charges are also calculated per kWh.

Estimating Electricity Usage & Tips

Estimating electricity usage involves the overall understanding of how much energy household appliances or outdoor appliances and systems consume. This can help you manage and reduce your electric bills effectively. Here is how to estimate electricity usage:

Meter Reading

Ensure that you regularly check your electricity meter to analyze your electricity consumption. The best way to understand consumption is to subtract the previous reading from the current reading. This will allow you to determine the usage for the given period.

Usage History

Review your past electric bills to identify patterns in your electricity consumption. Check the usage history and see at which hour the energy consumption is highest and lowest. This can help you estimate future usage based on the changes in your household's behavior.

Energy Monitors

If your monthly electric charges have suddenly spiked, you can plan to invest in energy monitoring devices to get real-time data on your overall consumption. These devices can even help you pinpoint which appliances or activities use the most energy. Accordingly, you can make changes to the energy consumption behavior.

Appliance Wattage

In order to correctly estimate the electricity usage of an appliance, multiply its wattage by the number of hours it is used per day and then multiply by 30 to get the monthly usage. For instance, if you are using an air conditioner that takes 1500W for 5 hours per day, then:

Daily Consumption = Wattage x Time = 1500W x 5H = 7500Wh

Monthly consumption = Daily Consumption x 30 = 7500 x 30 = 225,000Wh or 225kWh per month.

How to Calculate Electric Bill

Once you have all the information related to electric bill readings and different charges, you can easily calculate the electric bill in Minnesota. Here is a step-by-step guide using the average rate and usage data:

Step 1: Determine Monthly Usage

Always start by determining how many kilowatt-hours one can use in a month. In Minnesota, the average household consumption is about 918kWh per month.

Step 2: Identify Cost Per kWh

As of May 2024, the average electricity cost in MN is 16 ¢/kWh. You can further check official government websites or your electric bill in order to determine the correct average cost.

Step 3: Calculate Generation Charges

Now you can multiply your monthly charges by the cost per kWh to get the generation charges:

Generation Charges = Monthly Usage x cost per kWh

= 918kWh x $0.16 per kWh = $146.88

Step 4: Add Fixed Charges

Most utilities often include fixed charges such as customer and distribution charges. For this example, let's assume the fixed monthly charge that comes in Minnesota is $10.

Step 5: Sum All Charges

Add the generation charge to the fixed charges to get the total monthly bill.

Total Monthly Bill = Generation Charges + Total Fixed Charges

= $146.88 + $10 = $156.88

This means that if you use 918 kWh in a month at an average electricity rate of 16 ¢/kWh and a fixed charge of $10, your total monthly electric bill in Minnesota would be $156.88.

Why Is My Electric Bill So High In Minnesota?

Minnesota's average electric bill depends on various factors, each constituting the higher electric rates. Some of the most common reasons and causes behind the spike in electric bills are:

Harsh Winters

Minnesota is one of those states that experiences long, cold winters, which increases heating demands. Appliances like room and electric water heaters can significantly raise electricity usage during the extended months.

Energy-Intensive Appliances

There are several household appliances that consume large amounts of electricity. If you are using appliances like electric heaters, water heaters, and electric stoves during the on-peak hours, then it will spike the electricity bill.

Old Appliances

Most households are still using old and inefficient appliances that tend to be less energy-efficient. For example, an old refrigerator may consume 800W, while a new and efficient refrigerator might consume around 500W. Excessive use of old appliances will lead to higher consumption.

Poor Insulation

If your house has poor insulation, then understand that such structures would require more energy to heat and cool. The poor insulated homes would result in higher electric bills.

Similarly, there are several appliances that use the most electricity. Some of the common household appliances that add up to your electricity bill are:

Heating and Cooling Systems

HVAC systems are the biggest energy consumers, especially during extreme weather conditions. For instance, if you have a central air conditioner that comes with 3500W and runs for 6 hours per day, then with an average rate of 16 ¢/kWh in Minnesota, it will add $100.80 to your monthly bill.

Water Heater

During winters or sudden changes in weather conditions, most Minnesotans run electric water heaters frequently to maintain a hot water supply. This directly contributes to a sudden spike in electricity bills. For instance, if your electric water heater is 4500W and runs 3 hours per day, it will add 405kWh to your monthly consumption, adding $64.80 to your monthly bill.

Refrigerator and Freezers

Refrigerators and freezers are among those appliances that have to run continuously to keep food items cold or frozen, consuming a lot of electricity over time. A typical modern refrigerator with 500W running continuously for a month will add 360kWh to your consumption, resulting in another $57.6 to your monthly bill.

Clothes Dryers

Even though most households use clothes dryers for a very short duration, they tend to use a substantial amount of energy to generate heat for drying clothes. A typical electric dryer has 3000W, and if it is being used every day for an hour, then it will add $14.40 to your monthly bill.

Lighting

If your house or apartment still uses incandescent bulbs, you will surely see higher electricity usage than those with energy-efficient LED bulbs. If you have 10 incandescent bulbs, each with 60W, and running for 8 hours per day for a month, then it will add another $23.04.

How to Lower My Electric Bill in Minnesota?

There are several ways to manage and reduce your electric bill in Minnesota. These effective strategies ensure that you cut costs without compromising your overall comfort. These methods range from using energy-efficient appliances to harnessing renewable energy sources like solar power.

Here are some detailed tips to help you lower your electricity costs:

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

If you are using old appliances, they are likely consuming more power. Invest in appliances with an ENERGY STAR rating, which uses significantly less electricity than older models.

For instance, you can replace an old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR model that can help you save up to $50 annually on your electric bill. Similarly, you can also invest in acquiring washing machines and dishwashers that consume less water and electricity.

Implement Smart Thermostats

There are several smart thermostats in the market that help adjust the temperature based on schedule and preferences. This way, you can optimize energy usage according to your needs and availability.

For instance, you can set your smart thermostat to lower the temperature when you are asleep or away, and you can save 10 to 20% a year on your HVAC costs.

Improve Home Insulation

If you have the budget and can make changes in your household's architecture, then you can go ahead with proper insulation. Good insulation in your attic, walls, and floors can prevent heat loss during winter and also keep your home cooler during the extreme summers.

As per Energy Star, adding insulation to your house can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs. At the same time, sealing leaks around the windows with weatherstripping can also reduce energy waste.

Use Energy-Efficient Lighting

If you want to reduce your average electric bill in MN, switching to LED or CFL bulbs is highly recommended. These bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs.

If you can only replace five of your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with LED, then you can save up to $50 - $80 annually on your bills.

Use Solar Power

Going forward with solar power is helpful for you and the environment. By installing solar panels, one can reduce the reliance on grid electricity by generating your own power.

There are several important benefits of using solar power, like:

Cost Savings

A typical American household can save approximately $1000 annually after installing solar panels. Over 20 years, this translates to savings of $20,000, depending on the local electricity rates and solar power system size.

Environmental Benefits

Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source that does not produce greenhouse gasses. By conserving natural resources, it contributes to long-term environmental health.

Increase in Property Value

Homes equipped with solar power systems tend to sell at a premium compared to those without. As per the US Department of Energy, installing solar panels can increase a home's value by about $15,000.

The amount you can save with a solar power system depends on several factors, like the installed system's size, location, and the average household's energy consumption. On average, a solar power system can save homeowners thousands of dollars over its lifetime. For instance:

A typical residential solar system has a 5kW size, and depending on your local electricity rates, it can save up to $600 to $1200 per year. Over 25 years, this can amount to savings of $15,000 to $30,000.

Solar panel installation costs around $15000 to $25000, depending on the brand, location, and number of panels. If you are looking for an economical, reliable, and effective alternative to full-fledged solar panel installation, you can check out Jackery Solar Generators. Apart from having a compact design, these solar generators have high-capacity batteries, allowing you to charge 99% of your appliances.

Jackery Solar Generators For Lowering Your Electric Bills

Jackery is an acclaimed manufacturer of solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. Since its inception in 2012, Jackery has been awarded multiple times and has sold more than 4 million units globally.

A Jackery Solar Generator is a compact generator designed specifically for Minnesotans who want to reduce their monthly electric bills. Its powerful battery is ideal for charging heavy-duty appliances, such as air conditioners, electric grills, drills, and microwave ovens.

Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels are made with monocrystalline silicon solar cells that harness the power of sunlight and store it in Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations. A pure sine wave inverter converts the stored energy into AC electricity, which helps power your appliances.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a powerful generator that helps charge and power up to 99% of your household appliances. It is fully functional in temperatures up to -20°C /-4°F, making it ideal for use during Minnesota's extreme weather conditions. You can also carry this solar generator to outdoor locations without worrying about finding an on-grid outlet.

Appliances Working Hours

• Space Heater (1500W): 1.7H
• Chain Saw (1100W): 2.3H
• Coffee Machine (1000W): 2.5H
• Well Pump - 1HP (750W): 3.4H
• Smartphone (20W): 128.5H

Customer Review

"I want to prepare for hurricane season; I was not ready to pay $15K for a generator and installation. 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 you are looking for a solar generator that lets you expand its battery and is ideal for off-grid living and powering your house during extended blackouts, or when you intend to save your monthly expense on electricity, then Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has your back. This solar generator's sturdy and compact design is ideal for large apartments where one needs to move from one room to the other.

Appliance Working Hours

• Portable Heater (1500W): 1.1H
• Chain Saw (1100W): 1.5H
• Coffee Machine (1000W): 1.7H
• Well Pump - 1HP (750W): 2.3H

Smartphone (20W): 86.8H

Customer Review

"Everything about the purchase was great! You can tell the company has extraordinary attention to detail!! From packaging to the product itself." -- Ted Grossi

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is an extended unit of Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus, where you can charge heavy-duty appliances, such as central air conditioners, commercial washers, large refrigerators, water heaters, etc. The advanced engineering of this solar generator provides fumes-free and whisper-quiet operation, which not only lets you reduce your average electric bill in MN but is also environmentally friendly.

Appliance Working Hours

• Portable Heater (1500W): 2.2H
• Chain Saw (1100W): 3.0H
• Coffee Machine (1000W): 3.4H
• Well Pump - 1HP (750W): 4.6H
• Smartphone (20W): 173.6H

Customer Review

"Set up on a partly sunny day to test and perform very well. Operated various appliances, including a mid-sized electric heater. Performed as expected. Purchased for emergency situations, and I believe it will do the job." -- Julie Botsko.

Minnesota Average Electric Bills FAQs

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

The size of the solar generator you need for your house in Minnesota depends on multiple factors, including the number of appliances you aim to use, their respective wattage, and how many of these appliances you will run simultaneously.

For instance, if you are using Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro to power a television (200W), laptop (100W), or CPAP machine (60W), then the total working hours that you will get can be calculated by the following formula:

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

Working Hours = 3024Wh * 0.85/360W = 7.14H

Note: The total battery capacity of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is multiplied by 0.85 to account for the power loss during the appliance charging.

How much are utilities per month for a house in MN?

The monthly utility bill for a Minnesota house is about $250 to $400. The charges depend on the electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, internet, and other charges.

What is the average Internet bill in Minnesota?

Depending on your preferred provider and data speed, the average internet bill in Minnesota is about $60 to $80 per month. The charges may vary if you are taking a bundled service with cable TV.

What is the average electric bill for one person in Minnesota?

The average electric bill for a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment in Minnesota is approximately $80 to $100 monthly.

What is the average water bill in Minnesota?

An average Minnesota household that uses around 5000 gallons of water per month will pay approximately $66 to $80 per month.

Reduce Electric Bill With Solar Energy

If you love lakes and rivers and are looking for a place with strong job options and friendly communities, then Minnesota is the place to be. Compared to the other states in the US, the average electric bill in MN ranges from $90 to $150, which is comparatively lower than the other states, like Hawaii, New York, Massachusetts, etc.

If you are looking for more economical options and off-grid solutions that also help you during extended power cuts, check out Jackery Solar Generators. These solar generators can significantly reduce your average electric bill in MN, and due to their portable nature, you can carry them around from your house to outdoor locations to power up and charge your daily-use appliances.