Huntsville Utilities electric rates and bills
Huntsville Utilities's 201,803 residential customers in Alabama paid an average of 12.51¢ per kWh in 2025, for an average bill of $143.69 a month on 1,148 kWh.1 Over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026) the average was 12.73¢, and 12.72¢ in August 2026.2
EIA-861 2025 final (released October 7, 2026) and EIA's monthly utility survey through August 2026 (preliminary); next monthly update expected November 24, 2026. Averages are revenue divided by kWh, all charges included: not the rate printed in a tariff.
1 of 67 Alabama counties served (EIA-861 2025)
Huntsville Utilities' residential customers paid an average of 12.51¢ per kWh in 2025, against 17.91¢ per kWh1 at Alabama Power, and because homes on the two systems used about the same amount of electricity, the bill gap follows the price gap. The city utility's average rose faster than Alabama Power's in 2025, and its bills peak in winter rather than in summer.
What Huntsville Utilities customers paid per kWh, and for which period
Huntsville Utilities is a municipal utility owned by the city (City of Huntsville (Huntsville Utilities) in EIA's records). It had 201,803 residential electric customers in 2025, 8.5% of the homes on Alabama utilities' lines, second only to Alabama Power1.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes three readings of its residential price, each covering a different span:
| Period | Source | Average residential price |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar year 2025 | EIA-861, final | 12.51¢ per kWh1 |
| Last 12 months, September 2025 to August 2026 | EIA-861M, 2026 months preliminary | 12.73¢ per kWh |
| August 20263 alone | EIA-861M, preliminary | 12.72¢ per kWh2 |
All three are average revenue per kWh: what residential customers were billed in total, divided by the kWh they used. The figure folds in the monthly customer charge and any adjustments and leaves out most taxes, so it is not the energy charge printed in the utility's rate schedule. A small household pays more than the average per kWh, a large one less, because the fixed charge is spread over fewer or more kWh.
Who serves Madison County, and who sets the rates
EIA's 2025 service-territory records list Huntsville Utilities in Madison County4 only, and no other distribution utility reporting customers there. Alabama Power reports none in the county. The utility's own service map, not a ZIP code, decides which homes it serves.
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory; Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties. EIA-861 2025 service territory: 1 counties. Counts whole counties even where the utility serves only part of one; check the utility's own service-area map for an address.
Show the numbers
| County | Other utilities reporting service |
|---|---|
| Madison County | none |
Huntsville Utilities' rates are not set by the state regulator. The Alabama Public Service Commission states that Alabama Power is the only electric utility under its authority, that municipal systems and cooperatives are exempt from state regulation, and that it does not regulate the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). EIA describes TVA as the largest government-owned electricity provider in the United States, with a region that takes in parts of Alabama, Tennessee and five other states.
Close to a third less than Alabama Power, with similar use
In 2025, Huntsville Utilities' 12.51¢ per kWh was the 5th lowest average among the 28 Alabama utilities with 10,000 or more residential customers and 22.2% below the Alabama average (16.09¢ per kWh, all providers). Alabama Power, the state's largest utility, averaged 17.91¢ per kWh, the highest of the group. The lowest was City of Dothan at 10.66¢ per kWh1.
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
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| Utility | average residential price (bundled customers) |
|---|---|
| City of Athens (AL) | 11.58¢ |
| Decatur Utilities (AL) | 12.14¢ |
| City of Florence (AL) | 12.39¢ |
| Huntsville Utilities (AL) | 12.51¢ |
| Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative (AL) | 13.55¢ |
| Cullman Electric Cooperative (AL) | 14.59¢ |
| Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation (AL) | 15.44¢ |
| Alabama Power (AL) | 17.91¢ |
Among the other Tennessee Valley systems in north Alabama, the city utilities of Decatur, Athens and Florence averaged slightly less than Huntsville in 2025, and the nearby cooperatives (Joe Wheeler, Cullman and Sand Mountain) more.
Use per home does not explain the gap with Alabama Power. A Huntsville Utilities home used 1,148 kWh a month in 2025, an Alabama Power home 1,129 kWh. The average monthly bill was $143.69 against $202.131, and $184.31 for Alabama as a whole, a state with the 4th highest6 average residential bill.
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
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| Utility | average monthly residential bill |
|---|---|
| Decatur Utilities (AL) | $142.86 |
| Huntsville Utilities (AL) | $143.69 |
| City of Athens (AL) | $152.01 |
| City of Florence (AL) | $158.32 |
| Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative (AL) | $161.58 |
| Cullman Electric Cooperative (AL) | $183.62 |
| Alabama Power (AL) | $202.13 |
| Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation (AL) | $209.94 |
Nationally, Huntsville Utilities ranked 24th lowest of 177 large utilities (100,000 or more residential customers) in 2025, below the median of 15.07¢ per kWh, and its average was 13.7% below the national average for public power1.
2025: a faster rise than Alabama Power's
From 2024 to 2025, the Huntsville Utilities residential average rose 9.3%, from 11.45¢ per kWh to 12.51¢ per kWh. Alabama Power's rose 6.8% and the statewide average 6.0%8. The bill rose less than the price, +7.0% from $134.29 to $143.69, because use per home fell from 1,173 kWh7 to 1,148 kWh1 a month.
The monthly data since then show the price staying close to its 2025 level. The 12 months to August 2026 averaged 12.73¢ per kWh, and August 20263 alone 12.72¢ per kWh, −1.8%2 against August 2025. The 2026 months are preliminary; EIA's next monthly release, with September 2026 data, is due November 24, 2026.
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state. Residential revenue divided by kWh in each month, as reported to EIA's monthly survey (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary).
Show the numbers
| Month | Huntsville Utilities (¢/kWh) | kWh per customer | Bill per customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 11.99¢ | 1,679 | $201.37 |
| February 2025 | 11.98¢ | 1,598 | $191.43 |
| March 2025 | 12.95¢ | 1,140 | $147.64 |
| April 2025 | 13.18¢ | 849 | $111.96 |
| May 2025 | 12.75¢ | 868 | $110.73 |
| June 2025 | 13.14¢ | 1,091 | $143.31 |
| July 2025 | 12.78¢ | 1,374 | $175.57 |
| August 2025 | 12.95¢ | 1,120 | $145.09 |
| September 2025 | 12.20¢ | 1,195 | $145.77 |
| October 2025 | 12.05¢ | 1,002 | $120.74 |
| November 2025 | 12.27¢ | 908 | $111.42 |
| December 2025 | 12.38¢ | 1,015 | $125.66 |
| January 2026 | 12.13¢ | 1,474 | $178.79 |
| February 2026 | 12.12¢ | 1,691 | $205.03 |
| March 2026 | 14.29¢ | 994 | $142.07 |
| April 2026 | 13.97¢ | 862 | $120.41 |
| May 2026 | 13.24¢ | 856 | $113.29 |
| June 2026 | 13.39¢ | 976 | $130.61 |
| July 2026 | 12.98¢ | 1,346 | $174.75 |
| August 2026 | 12.72¢ | 1,435 | $182.51 |
Bills peak in winter
Over the 12 months to August 2026, use per Huntsville Utilities home was highest in February 2026, at 1,691 kWh, with an average bill of $205.03. It was lowest in May 2026: 856 kWh and $113.29. Alabama Power's peak over the same 12 months came in August 20262 instead.
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility. kWh per residential customer in each month (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary). The table adds the average bill and price for the month.
Show the numbers
| Month | kWh per customer | Bill per customer | ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 1,195 | $145.77 | 12.20¢ |
| October 2025 | 1,002 | $120.74 | 12.05¢ |
| November 2025 | 908 | $111.42 | 12.27¢ |
| December 2025 | 1,015 | $125.66 | 12.38¢ |
| January 2026 | 1,474 | $178.79 | 12.13¢ |
| February 2026 | 1,691 | $205.03 | 12.12¢ |
| March 2026 | 994 | $142.07 | 14.29¢ |
| April 2026 | 862 | $120.41 | 13.97¢ |
| May 2026 | 856 | $113.29 | 13.24¢ |
| June 2026 | 976 | $130.61 | 13.39¢ |
| July 2026 | 1,346 | $174.75 | 12.98¢ |
| August 2026 | 1,435 | $182.51 | 12.72¢ |
Most Alabama homes depend on electricity for warmth: 67.5% of the state's households heated mainly with electricity in the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey, the 3rd highest9 share among the states (a survey estimate with a margin of error, for the whole state rather than Huntsville). Averaged over the 12 months, a Huntsville Utilities home used 1,147 kWh a month and paid $145.992, so a budget built on that figure falls short in the coldest months.
Smart meters, businesses and help with bills
Every residential meter Huntsville Utilities reported to EIA for 2025 was an advanced (smart) meter: 100.0%10.
Business customers in Huntsville pay close to what homes do. The 24,684 commercial accounts averaged 12.13¢ per kWh in 2025 and $917.14 a month; the 26 industrial accounts, which buy far larger and steadier volumes, 7.80¢ per kWh. Counting every one of the utility's 226,513 electric accounts, the 2025 average came to 11.95¢ per kWh1.
Households that struggle with winter bills can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, for which Alabama was allotted $58.7 million11 in fiscal 2026; the guide to help paying an electric bill covers the steps. For the statewide picture, see electricity in Alabama and Alabama Power.
Huntsville Utilities electricity: common questions
How much does Huntsville Utilities charge per kWh?
Residential customers paid an average of 12.51¢ per kWh1 in 2025 and 12.73¢ per kWh2 over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026; 2026 months preliminary). These are EIA averages: residential electric revenue divided by kWh sold, with the monthly customer charge and adjustments included. The individual charges are in Huntsville Utilities' own residential rate schedule.
What is the average Huntsville Utilities electric bill?
$143.69 a month in 2025 for 1,148 kWh1, electricity only: the utility's gas and water charges are not part of EIA's figure. Over the last 12 months the monthly average ran from $111.42 in November 2025 to $205.03 in February 20262.
Did Huntsville Utilities raise electric rates?
The average price rose 9.3% from 2024 to 2025, from 11.45¢ per kWh7 to 12.51¢ per kWh1. In August 20263, the latest month in EIA's data (preliminary), it was 12.72¢ per kWh, −1.8%2 against the same month a year earlier. EIA reports what customers paid, not the rate decisions behind it.
Can I buy electricity from Alabama Power instead of Huntsville Utilities?
No. Alabama has no retail choice (0.0%1 of residential customers bought from a competitive supplier in 2025), and the utility serving an address is fixed by its service territory. EIA's records list Huntsville Utilities as the only distribution utility reporting customers in Madison County.
Related pages
Sources
- EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; table sales_ult_cust_2025 and _2026; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state; table sales_revenue.xlsx (EPM Table 5.6.A); January 2001 to 2026-08; months since January 2026 preliminary; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, service territory; table Service_Territory_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties; table cb_2025_us_county_5m; cb_2021_us_county_5m; 2025 (2021 for Connecticut). www.census.gov
- EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2024 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2024; 2024, final (file updated December 3, 2025); released December 3, 2025. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Historical state data, annual sales, revenue and customers; table HS861 2010-.xlsx; 2010-2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates, house heating fuel, table B25040; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
- EIA-861 2025, advanced meters, dynamic pricing and net metering; table Advanced_Meters, Dynamic_Pricing, Net_Metering 2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- HHS, LIHEAP funding releases to states; table FY2027 first release; FY2026 final; FY2027 first release (October 9, 2026); FY2026 total; released October 9, 2026. acf.gov
Margins of error (±) are at the 90% confidence level. A difference is called significant only when it passes the Census Bureau's test at that level. How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.