Washington Utility Cost Calculator

Public power and Puget Sound Energy

Public entities made 56% of Washington’s retail electricity sales in 2024 and served about 2.0 million accounts — more than the investor-owned utilities’ 1.6 million — the largest public-power share of any state after Nebraska and Tennessee. PUD No. 1 of Snohomish County (3.9 TWh to homes), the City of Seattle (3.3 TWh) and PUD No. 2 of Grant County are among the biggest. Puget Sound Energy (11.5 TWh to homes) and Avista (2.7 TWh) are the investor-owned utilities regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The hydropower state

Hydroelectric dams generated 59% of Washington’s electricity in 2024 — the Bureau of Reclamation’s Grand Coulee was the largest power plant — and that keeps prices low: 14.12¢ per kWh for homes over the last year. Gas made 18%, nuclear 10% and wind 9%.

Washington is an electric-heat state: 55% of homes heat mainly with electricity and 41% are all-electric, and the 2020 survey measured 4,254 kWh a year of electric space heating where used. The bill therefore peaks in winter — $175.32 in January 2026 — and is lowest in late summer ($102.72 in September 2025).

January, not July

The heaviest month in Washington was January 2026 — about 1,269 kWh per home — and the lightest September 2025 at 745 kWh. The 2020 survey found electric water heaters using about 3,261 kWh a year and air conditioning only 892 kWh. EIA’s final 2024 average was a $113.68 bill at 11.90¢; the latest twelve months average $131.60.

Gas and help with bills

Gas heats 37% of homes, at about 718 therms a year per account and $1.608 per therm. EIA does not survey heating oil or propane prices in Washington. LIHEAP is run by the Community Services and Housing Division of the Department of Commerce.