Electricity prices keep climbing in 2026: cut waste, keep backup

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) says residential electricity prices continue to climb in 2026, based on its Short-Term Energy Outlook.

What happened

EIA's outlook puts the average U.S. residential electricity price at 18.2 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2026. EIA attributes most power-sector growth to large customers, concentrated in the ERCOT and PJM grid regions.

What it means for your home

Higher rates raise every monthly bill, and a household has little control over the rate itself. Using less power is the easiest lever. Backup power is a separate question: a battery power station can keep phones and some lights running during an outage.

What to do this week

• Check which appliances use the most power, using the labels or a plug-in power meter.
• Turn off or unplug devices that draw power while idle.
• Check that the fridge and freezer are at safe temperatures and reasonably full.
• Charge your power bank and power station so backup is ready.
• Compare backup options now, while it is not an emergency.

For how the grid is under strain and what that means for outages, read Why the grid is under strain.