Pepco in Washington, DC: price per kWh, bills and the increases
Pepco's 291,516 default-service customers in District of Columbia paid an average of 20.77¢ per kWh in 2025, for an average bill of $123.11 a month on 593 kWh.1 Over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026) the average was 23.17¢, and 24.55¢ in August 2026.2 Another 33,247 homes on its wires (10.2%) buy their supply elsewhere and pay Pepco delivery charges averaging 6.87¢ per kWh, plus their supplier's price.
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 1 District of Columbia counties served (EIA-861 2025)
Pepco is the only distribution utility in the District, and its Standard Offer Service homes saw their average price rise 25.3% in one year, from 16.58¢ per kWh4 in 2024 to 20.77¢ per kWh1 in 2025, then 23.17¢ per kWh2 over the last 12 months. Small monthly use keeps the bill below what that price suggests, and because Pepco is the District's only utility, its outage minutes are DC's: the lowest7 among the 50 states and DC in 2025.
Pepco's DC price per kWh, period by period
Potomac Electric Power Company, an Exelon utility, delivers electricity to 324,763 residential customers in the District of Columbia, 100.0% of the city's homes, with no cooperative or municipal utility beside it. In 2025, 291,5161 of them also bought their power from Pepco through Standard Offer Service (SOS), the default supply for anyone without a supplier. The prices below describe those SOS homes only.
| What it measures | Pepco DC, SOS residential customers | EIA source |
|---|---|---|
| Full year 2025 (final) | 20.77¢ per kWh1 | EIA-861 |
| September 2025 to August 2026 (12 months) | 23.17¢ per kWh | EIA-861M, 2026 months preliminary |
| August 20263 (one month) | 24.55¢ per kWh2 | EIA-861M, preliminary |
Each figure is average revenue per kWh: what Pepco billed its SOS homes for supply, delivery, the customer charge and riders, divided by the kWh they used, with most taxes left out. It is not a line in Pepco's tariff, and a household that uses little power sees a higher figure on its own bill because the fixed monthly charge is spread over fewer kWh.
The 2025 average placed Pepco DC 30th highest of 177 large US utilities, 16.8% above the national average for investor-owned utilities. It also sat 5.2% below the District of Columbia average, a District-wide figure that also counts homes buying from suppliers. For comparison, Pepco's Maryland SOS customers averaged 21.74¢ per kWh1 in 2025.
A one-year jump larger than at other big PJM utilities
From 2024 to 2025 Pepco DC's SOS average rose 25.3%. Use per home stayed flat at 592 kWh and 593 kWh a month, so the average bill went up almost exactly as much, +25.4%, to $123.11. Delivery alone moved too: what Pepco billed supplier customers for its wires rose from 5.66¢ per kWh4 to 6.87¢ per kWh, +21.4%1.
Other large utilities in the same grid region rose far less over the same year:
| Utility (full-service residential customers) | 2025 average | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Pepco, District of Columbia | 20.77¢ per kWh | +25.3% |
| Pepco, Maryland | 21.74¢ per kWh | +8.3% |
| BGE | 20.19¢ per kWh | +12.7% |
| Dominion Energy Virginia | 15.20¢ per kWh | +7.9% |
| PECO | 18.02¢ per kWh | +11.5% |
| ComEd | 17.71¢ per kWh | +16.4%1 |
Two decisions behind the 2025 and 2026 bills
Distribution charges, the part Pepco keeps for its wires, are set by the DC Public Service Commission. On November 26, 2024 the Commission approved a modified version of Pepco's multiyear rate plan, with distribution increases in 2025 and a smaller second step in 2026; the new rates took effect with Pepco's compliance tariffs in December 2024. On March 5, 2026 the D.C. Court of Appeals vacated the orders and sent the case back for a formal evidentiary hearing, without finding the rates unlawful or ordering refunds. In May 2026 the Commission reauthorized the existing rates as a bridge, and it has scheduled the hearing for December 2026; if the final order sets different rates, the Commission says it will adjust, reconcile or refund at that point.
Supply is priced separately. According to the Commission's Standard Offer Service page, Pepco buys SOS power each year through competitive auctions with wholesale suppliers, and the latest rates, approved on May 20, 2026, took effect on July 1, 2026, a month later than usual. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's 2026 retail price review ties the 2025 rise across the PJM1 region to capacity costs, which it estimates added 0.9¢ per kWh to average wholesale costs that year, with a further 0.6¢ per kWh5 expected in 2026.
EIA's monthly data show the increase still running. Over September 2025 to August 2026 Pepco DC's SOS average was 23.17¢ per kWh, above the 2025 figure, and in August 20263, the second month under the new supply rates, it reached 24.55¢ per kWh, +11.7%2 on August 2025. Monthly 2026 figures are preliminary and are revised when EIA publishes the final annual survey.
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). Bundled (default-service) customers only.
Show the numbers
| Month | Pepco (¢/kWh) | kWh per customer | Bill per customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 17.89¢ | 799 | $142.89 |
| February 2025 | 18.69¢ | 653 | $122.03 |
| March 2025 | 19.25¢ | 591 | $113.77 |
| April 2025 | 19.96¢ | 450 | $89.88 |
| May 2025 | 19.12¢ | 473 | $90.47 |
| June 2025 | 21.46¢ | 581 | $124.78 |
| July 2025 | 22.07¢ | 798 | $176.11 |
| August 2025 | 21.98¢ | 671 | $147.47 |
| September 2025 | 22.37¢ | 495 | $110.70 |
| October 2025 | 22.51¢ | 434 | $97.75 |
| November 2025 | 21.44¢ | 451 | $96.66 |
| December 2025 | 22.96¢ | 718 | $164.82 |
| January 2026 | 22.57¢ | 747 | $168.63 |
| February 2026 | 22.80¢ | 684 | $155.98 |
| March 2026 | 23.62¢ | 619 | $146.33 |
| April 2026 | 24.10¢ | 436 | $105.12 |
| May 2026 | 23.96¢ | 467 | $111.84 |
| June 2026 | 22.74¢ | 547 | $124.44 |
| July 2026 | 23.79¢ | 772 | $183.59 |
| August 2026 | 24.55¢ | 726 | $178.21 |
Low use, with a July peak
A Pepco SOS home in the District used 593 kWh a month in 2025, against a US residential average of 874 kWh6. That is why a price 16.8% above the national average for investor-owned utilities still produced a bill of $123.11, and why the Maryland side of Pepco, with similar prices but more use per home (835 kWh1), had higher bills.
Summer sets the peak. Across September 2025 to August 2026, use per SOS home was highest in July 2026 at 772 kWh, with an average bill of $183.59, and lowest in October 2025 at 434 kWh and $97.75. The 12-month average bill, $137.092, hides that gap; the July bill also carried the new SOS supply rates.
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 | 495 | $110.70 | 22.37¢ |
| October 2025 | 434 | $97.75 | 22.51¢ |
| November 2025 | 451 | $96.66 | 21.44¢ |
| December 2025 | 718 | $164.82 | 22.96¢ |
| January 2026 | 747 | $168.63 | 22.57¢ |
| February 2026 | 684 | $155.98 | 22.80¢ |
| March 2026 | 619 | $146.33 | 23.62¢ |
| April 2026 | 436 | $105.12 | 24.10¢ |
| May 2026 | 467 | $111.84 | 23.96¢ |
| June 2026 | 547 | $124.44 | 22.74¢ |
| July 2026 | 772 | $183.59 | 23.79¢ |
| August 2026 | 726 | $178.21 | 24.55¢ |
SOS homes and supplier homes on the same wires
In 2025, 33,247 Pepco residential customers, 10.2% of those on its DC wires, bought supply from one of the 30 suppliers EIA counted in the District. Pepco still billed them for delivery: an average of 6.87¢ per kWh, about $71.30 a month. Those homes used much more power than SOS homes, 1,038 kWh a month against 593 kWh1.
What their suppliers charged is reported separately. Across the District, residential supplier customers paid an average of 20.87¢ per kWh for supply alone in 2025, a past average over every contract, not a current offer. Pepco's SOS average (20.77¢ per kWh1), its delivery-only average and the supplier supply-only average each cover different customers and different parts of the bill, so they are shown side by side and never added. The Commission's retail choice page lists approved suppliers; the delivery and supply guide explains the two halves of the bill, and the District of Columbia page covers participation city-wide.
Outage minutes: Pepco's figures are the District's
Counting major events, a Pepco DC customer was without power for 50 minutes on average in 2025; without them, 34 minutes. The average customer had 0.32 interruptions over the year (measured under IEEE 1366). Because Pepco is the District's only utility, those are also the District's figures, and among the 50 states and DC the District ranked the lowest on minutes including major events, the lowest excluding them and the lowest on the number of interruptions. Pepco's Maryland customers averaged 104 minutes7 on the all-events basis.
Source: EIA-861 2025, reliability. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
Show the numbers
| Utility | outage minutes per customer (all events) |
|---|---|
| Pepco (DC) | 50 |
| ComEd (IL) | 77 |
| Pepco (MD) | 104 |
| BGE (MD) | 175 |
| Dominion Energy Virginia (VA) | 307 |
| PECO (PA) | 328 |
Meters and rooftop solar
In 2025, 99.7% of Pepco's residential meters in the District were advanced meters. EIA counted 21,479 net-metered residential solar systems totalling 141.1 megawatts, or 66.1 per 1,000 residential customers, against 42.7 at BGE and 22.78 at Dominion Energy Virginia. How credits for exported power work is covered in the net metering guide.
Business accounts and help with bills
Pepco's 18,534 commercial SOS accounts in the District paid an average of 23.62¢ per kWh in 2025, with an average monthly bill of $1,229.81; another 9,071 commercial accounts bought supply elsewhere and paid Pepco 8.70¢ per kWh for delivery. Across every class of customer, Pepco DC averaged 21.79¢ per kWh1.
The District received $12.7 million9 in federal LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance for fiscal 2026. The guide to help with electric bills lists the programs and how to apply.
Where Pepco 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 |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | none |
Pepco DC questions
What is Pepco's rate per kWh in DC?
There is no single rate: a Pepco DC bill combines a customer charge, distribution charges, Standard Offer Service supply charges and riders. Divided by the kWh sold to residential Standard Offer Service customers, everything billed averaged 20.77¢ per kWh1 in 2025, 23.17¢ per kWh for September 2025 to August 2026 and 24.55¢ per kWh2 in August 20263 alone (2026 months preliminary). Homes that buy supply from a licensed supplier are not in these averages.
What is the average Pepco bill in Washington, DC?
EIA's annual data put it at $123.11 a month in 2025 for 593 kWh1, up from $98.174 in 2024. Over September 2025 to August 2026 the monthly sample gives $137.09, ranging from $96.66 in November 2025 to $183.59 in July 20262.
Is Pepco raising rates in DC in 2026?
Two changes apply in 2026. The second step of the distribution increase in Pepco's multiyear rate plan, approved by the DC Public Service Commission in November 2024 for 2025 and 2026, is in force while the case is reheard after a March 2026 court ruling. New Standard Offer Service supply rates took effect on July 1, 2026. EIA's latest reading, 24.55¢ per kWh for August 20263, was +11.7%2 on August 2025 (preliminary).
Can I choose another electricity supplier than Pepco in DC?
Yes for supply, no for delivery. Pepco's wires serve every home in the District, but 33,247 Pepco residential customers (10.2%1) bought their electricity from a licensed supplier in 2025. They pay Pepco for delivery and the supplier for supply; the DC Public Service Commission lists approved suppliers.
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 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
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Retail Electricity Price Trends and Drivers; table July 2026 update; 2025 data. eta-publications.lbl.gov
- EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, reliability; table Reliability_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.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
- 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
How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.