Responsible use

Disclaimer & Responsible Use

RateWatt makes public EIA electricity data easier to read and compare. It is not energy, financial, or legal advice, and it does not tell you what you will actually pay. Use it as a starting point for your own research.

RateWatt is a free informational resource that makes public U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) electricity data easier to read. It is not energy-procurement, financial, or legal advice, and it does not certify what any household or business pays for power. Use it as a starting point for your own research, not as the final word on an electricity bill or a supplier decision.

Informational only, not professional advice

Nothing on RateWatt constitutes energy-procurement, financial, or legal advice, and using the site does not create any professional relationship. Decisions about choosing a supplier, switching plans, or budgeting for energy can have real financial consequences. For guidance on a specific account, consult your utility, a licensed energy provider, or a qualified advisor. For the rates that actually apply to you, rely on your utility and your bill directly.

What the numbers are, and are not

The prices on RateWatt are EIA state-level averages by sector — not the rate on your bill. A state's "residential price" is the average revenue per kilowatt-hour across every residential customer in that state; your own rate depends on your utility, your plan, time-of-use and tiered pricing, demand charges, fixed monthly fees, taxes, and local riders. Two homes on the same street can pay different effective rates. A state average is a comparison benchmark across states, not a quote for any single address.

Data freshness and accuracy

EIA price data is published monthly with a lag and finalized annually, so figures reflect the most recent release we have loaded, shown on each page. We work to keep the data accurate and aligned with the EIA source, but we cannot guarantee it is complete, current, or free of upstream limitations. If you spot a figure that looks wrong, please report it through our corrections process.

Before you switch or buy

Treat RateWatt as one input among several. Before you act on what you read here, we recommend you also:

  • Read your actual utility bill and plan terms, which are authoritative for what you pay.
  • Compare specific offers on a regulated marketplace (such as your state's official electricity-choice site) rather than relying on a statewide average.
  • Account for the full cost — supply rate, delivery charges, fixed fees, and any early-termination or enrollment terms — not just the cents-per-kWh headline.
  • Confirm whether your area is regulated or deregulated, since that determines whether you can choose a supplier at all.

No affiliation

RateWatt is an independent publisher. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the EIA, the Department of Energy, or any utility or energy supplier. Outbound links to official sources are provided for verification and do not imply any partnership.

Questions

Questions about how to use this data, or about a specific figure, are welcome through our contact page. See also our editorial & corrections policy and methodology.