Utility bills aren’t exactly thrilling reading, but they do have a way of grabbing your attention when the total’s higher than expected.
In the U.S., electric bills have increased 13% in 2025, according to Climate Power. With energy costs, technology and regulations all in flux, it’s fair to wonder what your monthly bill might look now that we’re in 2026.
Will the new year bring relief — or more sticker shock? GOBankingRates asked the experts to share what’s ahead.
Why Your Bill Keeps Rising — Even When You Use Less
According to Dennis Shirshikov, professor of finance at City University of New York and head of growth and Engineering at GrowthLimit, in 2026, utility bills are likely to be a continued source of pressure for many households.
Not necessarily because every single line item will surge at the same rate, but because the underlying cost for keeping a home comfortable and functional has been creeping up for years.
“Electricity gets all the headlines, but what customers feel isn’t really wholesale rates so much as they are the net result of changes in rates, usage patterns and seasonable highs or lows — and floating around under the rug are all those surcharges you still pay even if you hold your consumption steady,” Shirskikov said.
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Here’s a helpful way to think about it, as Shirshikov explained: Utility bills are increasingly resembling not just a straightforward receipt for what you use, but a monthly financial product that reflects the household’s exposure to unpredictable weather volatility, rising grid infrastructure costs and pricing structures far more difficult to fathom than most know.
That’s why “my bill went up even though we used less” is going to be a familiar theme in 2026.
You’re Paying Not Just for Power — But When You Use It
There are two things people confuse, Shirshikov observed.
“Bills can go up because of electricity for two reasons. Historically, there have been two ways that utilities charge for electricity: By the amount used, and by demand (how much you use at once) — with a premium charged for peak power usage.”
Even if your total monthly consumption is comparable, a few high-draw moments like running multiple appliances, charging up an EV or blasting your HVAC during peak hours could nudge prices higher depending on the plan and the region.
“Electricity is typically the only household bill in which the consumer believes they are not just paying for a product, but also buying timing,” Shirshikov said. “If your plan charges peak periods with an iron fist, then so does your lifestyle schedule become part of your utility pricing structure.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Will Your Electric Bill Look Like in 2026? Expert Weighs In
