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

The average electric bill in MA has consistently outpaced the national average over the past few years. In April 2018, Boston households paid an average of 22.5 cents per kWh, which was 67.9 percent higher than the nationwide average of 13.4 cents per kWh. Similarly, the average monthly electric bill in MA has risen in the last five years; the average was $130 in 2017, and it rose to $151 in 2018. In 2024, Boston households paid 29.1 cents per kWh, which was still 68.2 percent higher than the nationwide average of 17.3 cents per kWh.

This trend of increasing average electric bills in MA reveals the challenges Boston residents face in managing their electricity expenses, further emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing factors that contribute to such elevated costs.

How to Understand Your Electric Bill in Massachusetts?

While the average residential consumer in Boston, MA, uses 577 kWh, your average electricity bill may differ from the others on multiple grounds. In order to understand how one can reduce their average electric bill in MA, it is important to break down the electric bill. Typically, an electric bill in MA consists of:

• Supply Charges:The supply charges directly refer to the cost of the electricity itself. This part of your bill can be sourced from the investor-owned electric company that provides delivery services to your area in MA or from a competitive supplier. In investor-owned electricity delivery, supply charges are determined by the rates set by the utility company. For instance, Eversource's current supply fixed rates are 21 cents per kWh. Similarly, consumers in MA also have the option to choose a competitive supplier for their electricity supply. These electricity suppliers offer competitive plans, savings, and other incentives for long-term contracts.
• Delivery Charges:As the name states, the delivery charges in your electric bill cover the cost of delivering the electricity from the generation source to your residential or commercial property. Typically, these charges are determined by the investor-owned electric company and further regulated by the state utility commissions. For instance, Eversource's current distribution energy charge is 8.82 cents per kWh.

What Are The Electricity Rates in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts implemented electricity deregulations in 1998 in response to high energy prices and rate hikes. This shift towards deregulation empowered residents and commercial property owners to choose their energy provider, which has fostered a more competitive market environment for all.

In Boston, MA, several electricity providers, like Clearview Energy, offer 11.09 ¢/kWh with a nine-month fixed plan, and Direct Energy offers a 14.39 ¢/kWh rate with a 24-month fixed plan. Similarly, Constellation offers a staggering 14.99 ¢/kWh with a 36-month home power plan. For a 24-month fixed plan, Discount Power has a rate of 22.99 ¢/kWh.

With so many options available, it is pretty common for someone to get confused when choosing the best electricity provider. In order to find the best electricity provider for your personal or commercial property, you will need to consider the following factors:

• Usage Rates: Always start by understanding your monthly electricity usage patterns. Review and analyze your past year's electric bills to determine your average monthly consumption in kWh.
• Cost: Compare rates from all the electricity providers and learn which one best fits your monthly and yearly budget. While finalizing the electric service provider, also check out the contract terms, fees, and other incentives or discounts that you might get if you sign a long-term contract.
• Explore Suppliers: Even though Massachusetts has implemented electricity deregulations, not all electricity suppliers need to offer their services in your ZIP code. Research to identify various suppliers who are operational in your region.

Here is a table illustrating different electric service providers that would help you make a well-informed decision.

Note: The prices are subject to change. For the latest rates, you are advised to check the electricity provider's official website.

In Massachusetts, electric suppliers offer their consumers a wide range of plans. Each of these plans is created as per the individual's needs and budget. Here are the most common electricity plans in the state:

• Fixed-Rate Plans:With fixed-rate plans, the electricity rate will remain constant for the duration of the contract signed with the electricity provider. This plan provides price stability and predictability, which makes it easier to budget the electricity expenses for the entire duration of the contract.
• Variable-Rate Plans:In this electricity plan, the electricity rates may fluctuate based on market conditions. These plans offer flexibility and the potential for lower rates during periods of low energy demands. However, consumers are always at risk of price spikes during periods of high energy demands.
• Time-of-Use Plans:Such intrinsic plans offer varying electricity rates depending on the time of the day or day of the week. Typically, electric rates would be higher during the peak demand hours and would go substantially lower during the off-peak hours.
• Renewable Energy Plans:Renewal energy plans allow consumers to opt for wind or solar power sources. Plan rates may differ depending on the supplier and the proportion of renewable energy included in the plan.

Why Is My Electric Bill So High in Massachusetts?

With an average electric bill of $163.52, Massachusetts residents often find themselves wondering about the several factors that constitute high electric bills compared to other states. There are several factors that affect the average electric bill in MA, such as:

Cost of Electricity

The average electric rate in MA is comparatively higher than the national average. A typical Boston household paid an average of 22.5 cents per kWh, whereas the nationwide average remained at 13.4 cents per kWh. This disparity in average rates can significantly impact electric bills, especially for households that run heavy-duty appliances.

Taxes and Fees

State taxes and fees further contribute to the higher cost of electricity in Massachusetts. For instance, the public service assessment fees add an additional 3.03 cents per kWh to the monthly electric bill in MA. Additionally, the end-user has to pay the sales tax on the sale of electricity, which further increases their overall electricity bill.

Cost of Living

The State of Massachusetts, especially the Boston area, has a significantly higher cost of living compared to the national average. As of January 2024, the cost of living in Massachusetts is $61,944, making it the second-costliest place to live in the United States. Even if the electricity rates remain constant, the overall living cost often translates to increased electricity prices, resulting in higher electric bills for residents.

How to Reduce My Electric Bill in Massachusetts?

Reducing the average electric bill in MA per month may be the priority for many residents who seek to manage their household budgets effectively. Here are a couple of ways that can help you reduce your monthly electric bills:

Upgrade Your Appliances

Most residents will notice that they might still be using old appliances, which consume a lot of electricity and do not even have energy-saving modes. If your budget allows, you can upgrade your household appliances or even invest in their maintenance.

Engage In Energy Efficiency Activities

One can also lower the monthly average electric bill by implementing energy efficiency measures, like upgrading to LED light bulbs or taking advantage of free home energy audits to optimize energy efficiency and minimize waste.

Explore Solar Programs

Massachusetts offers various rebate programs to promote the use of renewable energy. You can consider investing in solar energy to generate electricity for your home and avail of incentives from the Massachusetts Solar Rewards Program, where you can get a bonus payment for each kWh of electricity generated over a 10-year period.

Under the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program, homeowners with rooftop solar arrays can receive 20-30 ¢/kWh. Higher rates are also available for low-income households. One way to take advantage of all the state-led benefits is by investing in Jackery Solar Generators, which charge 99% of your household appliances at a minimum investment.

Jackery Solar Generators For Lowering Your Electric Bills

Jackery is a leading brand when it comes to the manufacturing and selling of solar generators, solar panels, and battery backups. Jackery is notable for creating solar generators that offer high-capacity power outputs and are easy to operate by all. Its portable power stations can easily be charged by using AC adapters and car chargers or by plugging them into Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, which has an IP68 waterproof rating.

The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels consist of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, which absorb the sun's rays and later convert them into electricity. This converted electricity is moved to Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations, where the built-in pure sine wave inverter later converts it into AC electricity that lets you charge your household appliances.

Jackery Solar Generators come with high-capacity batteries. Once fully charged, this stored energy can then be utilized to charge appliances like televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, laptops, smartphones, etc., which would help you reduce your average electric bill in MA.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro offers a Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery with a capacity of 3024 Wh and a high power output of 3000 W. With Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, one can charge 99% of home appliances, like air conditioners, computers, televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can be fully charged in 3.5 hours by plugging it with 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus comes with a built-in LiFePO4 battery that has a capacity of 2042.8 Wh. A single Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Power Station can support up to 5 add-on battery packs, which expands its capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh. With the additional Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station can be expanded to mega 24 kWh. With 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus can be fully recharged in 2 hours.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro has a battery capacity of 2160 Wh and also comes with a built-in 2200 W inverter. With this battery capacity, one can charge 96% of the off-grid appliances for long hours. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro can be recharged using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in only 2.5 hours or by using an AC adapter in 2 hours.

Massachusetts Average Electric Bill FAQs

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

The size of the solar generator to be used in a Massachusetts household depends on various factors, including the number of appliances that you will use and the total number of hours you want to use them. Here's a scenario for a Boston apartment of a family of four members.

Suppose you would like to charge a washing machine (1400 W), refrigerator (800 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 All Appliances

Working Hours = 3024 Wh * 0.85/2250 W = 1.1 H

There will be some power loss while charging the appliance. For this reason, the battery capacity is multiplied by 0.85.

Are there any energy efficiency programs in Massachusetts to help reduce electric bills?

Yes, to reduce carbon footprints and electric bills, the government has designed the Mass Save Program and Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program. The Mass Save Program offers a no-cost home energy assessment, and the SMART program encourages residents to use renewable resources, like solar energy.

How much is the electric bill in Boston?

The average electric bill in Boston is $163.52, which is calculated by multiplying the average consumption (kWh) per month by the average electric rate: 577 kWh/28.85 ¢/kW.

What state has the highest average electric bill?

With 44.28 ¢/kW, the State of Hawaii has the highest average electricity rate in the United States. The average electricity of the country is 15.73 ¢/kW, which shows the significant difference between Hawaii and the rest of the states.

Is electricity more expensive in Massachusetts?

Yes, the average electric bill in an MA apartment is higher than the national average. The average electric bill in Massachusetts is 28.85 ¢/kW, and compared to it, the average US electric bill is only 15.73 ¢/kW.

Final Thoughts

By analyzing the previous growth in the average electric bill in MA, one can estimate that the overall expense of electricity is going to increase in the next five years. Given the high cost of living and other expenses, the residents of Massachusetts should opt for solar generators that would significantly reduce their monthly average electric bills. Jackery Solar Generators come with great battery capacity and can easily be fully recharged. With efficient battery backups and compact and lightweight designs, Jackery offers a sustainable model that would help you reduce your monthly average electric bill in MA.