What is the average electricity bill for a family living in a single residence in Texas?
Anthony asked:
I realize this number varies depending upon many factors, like whether you have central air conditioning and all that, but I just wanted to know some rough numbers. My family is considering moving over to Texas (near Houston area) and wanted a idea of what to expect for a single family.
Hunter
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I realize this number varies depending upon many factors, like whether you have central air conditioning and all that, but I just wanted to know some rough numbers. My family is considering moving over to Texas (near Houston area) and wanted a idea of what to expect for a single family.
Hunter
April 30th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Emily
We had a 1550 sf (app.) house just NW of Houston for several years. Our average bill in the summer was around $120, in winter around $20. We had central air, but the heat, stove, water heater, and dryer were all gas.
May 1st, 2011 at 10:35 pm
James
Any average would be absolutely meaningless. The size of the house, what you set the AC at, how many people live in the home, whether it’s occupied all day, the age of the AC unit, how well the ducting is insulated, how well the home is insulated, where the outside unit is located (north side is best, south is worst) all factor into the bill.
Electric rates in Houston are high, I can tell you that much.
If you are considering a move to TX, keep in mind that the electric rates may be the least of your worries. TX doesn’t have an income tax so the money must come from somewhere. That’s usually from property taxes and I can tell you from personal experience that TX property taxes are INSANELY high. I sold off a rental in San Antonio last year that was valued for tax purposes at $83k. The annual property taxes were $2800 last year! I live in MO in a home valued at $170k and my property taxes are less than $1,000. In fact, my MO combined income and property taxes are less than the property tax on the place in TX. (The valuation on the place in TX was stepped up to the sales price of $107k. The new owner’s taxes are over $3,500 per year. He actually tried to get me to make up the difference!)
May 4th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Owen
If you are going to run central AC, as you will really need to, expect to have a monthly electricity bill ranging from $100 to $300 if you have good insulation. If the insulation is not as good as it could be, expect the high bill to easily exceed $400.
The other unexpected tax is the combined school and property tax. It is often much higher than other areas. Take a careful look at the tax on any property you are considering to buy.
Good luck..
May 5th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Jayden
We are paying 12.6 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity in the southern tip of Texas, where it is almost 100% FFahrenheit temperature and paid $80.00 this month of June for May 2007. I just moved to my new home. Oh yes, make sure the home is very well insulated and review the information with each electricity company because we have a few companies.