Example calculations, not a local-home forecast. The DOE loads and equipment ratings are identical on every state page. Only the electricity price changes. Your utility tariff and your home's heating and cooling needs may differ.
How the state price compares
In 2025, California's residential average was 31.35¢/kWh, 14.12 cents/kWh higher than the U.S. residential average of 17.23¢/kWh. The 2025 rate was 8.53 cents/kWh higher than 2021; it was 0.62 cents/kWh lower than 2024. These are historical averages, not a projection of future rates.
| Year | California | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22.82¢/kWh | 13.66¢/kWh |
| 2022 | 25.84¢/kWh | 15.04¢/kWh |
| 2023 | 29.51¢/kWh | 16.00¢/kWh |
| 2024 | 31.97¢/kWh | 16.48¢/kWh |
| 2025 | 31.35¢/kWh | 17.23¢/kWh |
Same DOE loads, California electricity price
Each row uses DOE/FEMP's 36,000 Btu/h reference heat pump, its published annual cooling and heating hours, and the ENERGY STAR example ratings shown. The calculator divides each annual load by SEER2 or HSPF2, converts to kWh, then multiplies by 31.35¢/kWh. No installation quote, incentives, backup heat or household electricity outside heating and cooling is included.
| DOE example | SEER2 / HSPF2 | Annual kWh | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-humid / Southeast DOE example | 15.2 / 7.8 | 11,660.2 | $3,655.48 |
| Hot-dry / Southwest DOE example | 15.2 / 7.8 | 10,743.3 | $3,368.04 |
| Northern DOE example | 15.2 / 7.8 | 10,990.3 | $3,445.47 |
The example names describe DOE test settings; they do not assign a load to a California home. A rate from your bill and a building-specific load are better inputs for a personal comparison.
Try your own inputs
The calculator opens with California selected. You can change the example, annual loads, efficiencies or electricity price.
Open the calculator with California selectedSources and version
Prices: EIA-861 Historical State Data, residential sector. Example loads and ratings: DOE/FEMP air-source heat pump examples. Data snapshot hci-2025-a3acecb489dc65ef. Read the calculation method, data coverage or compare all state prices.