What Is the Average Electric Bill in Hawaii

Do you wish to make heaven on earth your permanent address? Hawaii is all about beautiful landscapes and breathtaking natural wonders. If you plan on moving to Hawaii, it's important to know whether you can afford the Hawaiian lifestyle. The state is away from the US mainland and comparatively expensive to live in. But the living costs are worth the adventures it offers. Hawaii stands out with its beach life and tropical climate. 

The highest contributing factor to living costs in Hawaii is electricity expenses. The majority of power generators use fuel as a primary energy source. This is the reason electricity in Hawaii is costly compared to other US states. The shipping costs and variable oil prices in the markets cause a hike in per kWh generation costs, and as a result, the consumers get expensive electricity. Another reason for the high prices is the limited power generation stations in the archipelago. 

Average Electricity Bills in Hawaii

The median household electricity consumption in Hawaii is between 500W to 600W which is about 24.5% less than the national average. However, residents in Hawaii pay the highest electricity bills in the US. Each household receives a $150 to $250 monthly electric bill on average. The current per kWh rates in Hawaii are higher than all other US states. In 2024, the average residential electricity charge was 43.93 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour.

The electric rates also vary in the islands like Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai within the Hawaii state. Although electric expenses primarily depend on your consumption, the area you’re living in can have a significant impact on the electric bill. Moreover, living expenses in Hawaii are double that of the mainland US. Among other factors, high electricity costs also give rise to living expenses. 

Here's a comparison of the yearly electric expenses of Hawaii and other US states:

The electric rates in Hawaii have been stable for the past few years, but electric costs are rising in other states. It's expected that Hawaii will drop down to second or third place on this list by the end of 2024. 

Electric Rates in Hawaii

The Public Utilities Commission in Hawaii is responsible for setting electric rates. The commission categorizes consumers according to their consumption patterns and schedules varying rates. There are five populated islands in the Hawaii state namely Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The electric rates also differ for each of these because of the variable costs of providing service. Since the areas are geographically distributed, the service and maintenance costs tend to be higher. 

Here are the average per kWh electric rates in various localities of Hawaii. 

Oahu

Maui County

Hawaii Island

Note: These are average rates in these localities, you may check the actual electric rates by contacting your service providers or online. Moreover, variation in the data is possible due to changing rates. 

Factors Affecting Electric Bills in Hawaii

Electric bills are highly variable and depend on multiple factors. Your energy consumption patterns and the location you're living in can impact your electric expenses significantly. Controlling these factors can also help you reduce your electric bills. Here are all the critical factors that can affect your electric charge living in Hawaii. 

Power Consumption

Your bill represents the charges of your power consumption over a period. The more power you consume, the higher the electric bill will be. The average monthly electric bill of smaller houses using about 600 kWh in Hawaii is $150 to $250. Large houses with excess power consumption of up to 1600 kWh get an average bill of about $600 per month. The energy use depends on family size, heavy air conditioning units, and other electric appliances, etc. 

Electric Rates and Location 

Hawaii is geographically distributed and the electric rates vary by area. You may be paying higher for the same energy usage than your friend in some other part of Hawaii. When moving to Hawaii, you should check the electric rates in different areas and choose the one with the most affordable rates and other amenities. Utility companies consider the costs of providing service when setting electric rates, it's the primary reason for variations. 

Weather

Hawaii has tropical weather and it can be very hot sometimes. When the climate in Hawaii is warm the use of air conditioning increases, giving rise to electric bills. Most homes in Hawaii are not well insulated, the air conditioning units need to run continuously to maintain ambient temperature. The utility companies also increase electric rates during the summer season. So, electricity is costly during hot weather in Hawaii and power consumption is higher. 

Renewable Energy Use 

Renewable energy, especially solar energy, is a cheap alternative to grid supply. Many homes in Hawaii use solar energy which reduces their electric bills. You can save on your electric bills, if you install solar panels to harness renewable energy. Your dependence on grid supply will reduce and you can access cheaper and more reliable energy. 

How Can I Lower My Electric Bill in Hawaii?

Now that you know the factors contributing to high electric bills, it is easy to save on electricity expenses. All you need is some effective ways and a plan to go with. We've some suggestions from Hawaiians who are able to halve their electric bills without much hassle. Here's how you can lower your electric bill in Hawaii:

Avoid Excess Use 

You can save on electricity bills by adapting to some best practices. Set air conditioning to 78 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain ambient temperature without using excess energy. When the weather is pleasant, turn off the air conditioning and use fans. You can also optimize the use of lighting and other appliances to save energy. The more you downsize the better!

Energy Efficient Upgrades 

If you have old appliances, replace them with energy-efficient ones. The traditional fans and bulbs are hungry for energy, they would consume energy equivalent to a modern dishwasher. For instance, an old bulb consumes up to 60 watts whereas an LED bulb consumes about 10 watts fulfilling the same purpose. You should invest in Energy Star appliances and save electricity costs.

Opt for Alternatives 

Electricity in Hawaii is expensive, but there are other alternatives to electricity available. You can opt for solar energy to fulfill your power needs. Hawaii has ample sunlight hours to produce enough power to run your house all day long. You only need an efficient solar generator kit to become your power producer.  It can help you eliminate electric expenses and access clean energy. 

How do Solar Generator Kits Help You Save on Electric Bills?

Solar generator kits are like small power generation stations that you can own. They harness clean solar energy to power your house. You can use them as an alternative to grid supply. Most people think solar energy only works during the day but solar generator kits are a 24/7 solution. They come with battery backups to store power and use as needed. 

With a solar generator kit, you can reduce electric bills by using your power. Since you will not consume energy from the grid, the electric charge will be reduced. If you install a high-capacity solar generator kit, it can even help you eliminate the electric bill. Here are hi-tech BLUETTI solar generator kits with advanced features and superior performance that you can buy. 

BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Battery Backup

Power Your Basic Family Needs for Days

BLUETTI AC300 + B300/B300S Home Battery Backup
①3,072Wh Capacity; ②6,000W Surge Power; ③2,400W Max. Solar Input; ④24/7 EPS; ⑤3,500+ Life Cycles to 80%; ⑥7 Ways to Recharge; ⑦5400W Max. Fast Dual Charging (Solar + AC)

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The BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Battery Backup is a complete power solution for homes. It has an expandable capacity of 3,072Wh to 12,288Wh. You can use it to power your entire home. The solar generator kit comes with advanced LiFePO4 battery packs that are reliable and long-lasting. The UPS feature is enabled with a multi-recharge facility to ensure continuous power connectivity. You can use solar energy, grid supply, fuel generators, and more to charge the battery packs. 

The solar kit supports 5400W dual recharge to power up in no time. You can control the solar generator kit with the smart BLUETTI mobile app, it has Bluetooth and WiFi options for seamless connectivity. You can reduce your electric bills with its smart energy management system. The AC300 + B300 power station can combine with BLUETTI PV200 solar panels to harness clean solar energy. The solar panels are highly efficient with ETFE protection and superior built quality. Both solar panels and the power station have a compact design for easy storage and use. 

BLUETTI AC500 + B300/B300S Home Battery Backup

Modular Solar Power System for All Needs

BLUETTI AC500 + B300S/B300 Home Battery Backup
①3,072Wh Capacity; ②10,000W Surge Power; ③3,000W Max. Solar Input; ④24/7 EPS; ⑤3,500+ Life Cycles to 80%; ⑥6 Ways to Recharge; ⑦4-Year Warranty

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The BLUETTI AC500 + B300/B300S Home Battery Backup can be a game-changer when it comes to saving on electricity bills. The solar generator kit can power a large house for days without needing a grid supply. It comes with an expandable capacity of 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh. The EPS feature ensures an uninterruptible power supply and the smart BLUETTI app keeps you in control. You can use multiple power sources to recharge the battery backup, dual charging is also enabled for fast recharge. It supports a max input of 8000W to recharge up to 80% in 50 minutes. 

You can combine the BLUETTI AC500 + B300/B300S Home Battery Backup with BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panels. They are built from highly efficient monocrystalline cells and come with ETFE protective layering. The solar panels are highly durable and can withstand rough weather. The design is foldable and portable for added convenience. You can also use the built-in kickstand to adjust the angles for optimal output. 

Final Thoughts

Hawaii has by far the most expensive electricity rates in the US. They contribute to already high living expenses. The reasons for costly energy are heavy reliance on imported oil, isolated population, and limited generation capacity. If you're struggling with high electric costs, follow our suggestion or opt for an alternative to grid power, you will easily save on electric bills.