How to lower your electric bill
Call your utility and ask for a better rate and any assistance programmes. Say something like: "My bill has been high. Am I on the best rate for my usage, and do you offer budget billing or assistance?" Ask for budget billing to spread costs evenly and a cheaper rate plan for your usage. You may also qualify for LIHEAP.
Who to ask for
Ask for customer service, and ask about payment plans and assistance programmes.
Call the customer service number on your bill and say you are thinking of cancelling. That usually reaches the retention or loyalty team, who can offer the best deals.
Before you call
- Check whether your state lets you choose your electricity supplier. Texas (powertochoose.org), Pennsylvania (papowerswitch.com) and Ohio (energychoice.ohio.gov) run official comparison sites.
- Look at your rate per kWh and any contract end date.
- Check whether you are on a variable rate.
What to say to your provider
Hi, my bill has been high. Can you check I'm on the best rate or plan for my usage?
Do you offer budget billing, time-of-use plans or a payment plan?
Are there assistance programmes or energy efficiency rebates I can apply for?
Fill in the parts in square brackets with your own numbers before you call.
Offers to ask for
- Budget billing to spread costs evenly
- A cheaper rate plan for your usage
- A payment plan if you are behind
- Free or discounted energy audits and efficiency rebates
If they say no
- Ask politely to be transferred to the retention or loyalty team. Saying "cancel" at the phone menu usually gets you there.
- Ask them to note the account and escalate to a supervisor.
- If it's still no, thank them, end the call and try again another day. Different agents can offer different deals.
- Be ready to actually switch. The best offers often come after you book a cancellation.
Best time to call
Call about 30 days before a promotion or renewal ends, on a weekday morning when queues are shorter. Have your account number, PIN and latest bill to hand.
Confirm the deal in writing
After the call, send this by chat or email:
Hi, confirming what we agreed today, [date]: my new price is [amount] a month for [months] months, starting on my next bill, with [changes]. The agent was [name or ID]. Please reply to confirm. Thank you.
When to switch
Only in states with supplier choice. Compare fixed-rate offers on your state's official site, read the contract length and cancellation fee, and avoid variable teaser rates.
Help paying your electric bill
LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and shutoffs through your state. Call 1-866-674-6327 or visit energyhelp.us to find your office. The Weatherization Assistance Program can also make your home cheaper to heat, for free.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
Federally funded help with heating and cooling bills, avoiding shutoffs, reconnecting service and energy repairs. Run by states.
Who qualifies: Households with limited income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: Find your state's office at energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Free home energy upgrades that cut bills, from the US Department of Energy through local agencies.
Who qualifies: Households with limited income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: See the Department of Energy page for your local provider.
211 (United Way)
Free, confidential referrals to local help with bills, food, housing and more.
Who qualifies: Anyone.
How to apply: Call 211 or visit 211.org.
State discounts
Some states add their own discount on top of LIHEAP:
- California CARE and FERA
- New York Energy Affordability Program (EAP)
- Ohio PIPP Plus
- New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF)
- Pennsylvania utility Customer Assistance Programs (CAP)
- Georgia Power Income-Qualified Discount
Official programmes are free to apply for. Nobody legitimate charges a fee to sign you up.
Quick answers
- Who do I ask for to lower my electric bill?
- Ask for customer service, and ask about payment plans and assistance programmes.
- What can I ask for on my electric bill?
- Ask about budget billing to spread costs evenly, a cheaper rate plan for your usage, a payment plan if you are behind and free or discounted energy audits and efficiency rebates.
- When should I switch electric provider?
- Only in states with supplier choice. Compare fixed-rate offers on your state's official site, read the contract length and cancellation fee, and avoid variable teaser rates.
- Is there help paying my electric bill?
- LIHEAP helps with heating and cooling bills and shutoffs through your state. Call 1-866-674-6327 or visit energyhelp.us to find your office. The Weatherization Assistance Program can also make your home cheaper to heat, for free.
Sources
- https://acf.gov/ocs/programs/liheap
- https://www.energy.gov/cmei/scep/wap/weatherization-assistance-program
- https://www.211.org/
- Lower My Bill script data for electricity and energy
Ask Lower My Bill yourself
Pick your bill type, add your provider or state if you like, and get a script and the help programs that fit. Open Lower My Bill, free, no sign-up.
In Claude or any app that takes MCP connectors, add https://goodturn-mcp.pages.dev/lowermybill/mcp and ask: “Help me lower my electric bill”
Other bills
- How to lower your internet bill
- How to lower your phone bill
- How to lower your TV bill
- How to cut your streaming bill
- How to lower your car insurance
- How to lower your home or renters insurance
- How to lower your water bill
- How to lower your credit card interest
- How to lower your gym membership
General tips, not financial or insurance advice. Offers vary by area and account, so compare the final price, contract and fees before you agree to anything.