Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) electric rates and the 2025 increase
Knoxville Utilities Board's 196,674 residential customers in Tennessee paid an average of 13.83¢ per kWh in 2025, for an average bill of $153.38 a month on 1,109 kWh.1 Over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026) the average was 14.33¢, and 14.50¢ 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.
7 of 95 Tennessee counties served (EIA-861 2025)
Knoxville Utilities Board's residential average rose 10.3% from 2024 to 2025, more than at any other Tennessee utility with 100,000 or more residential customers, and the average bill rose +11.9%. The 12-month average to August 2026 stood higher again, at 14.33¢ per kWh2, though KUB remained 4.6% below the national average for public power1.
KUB's average price per kWh in three periods
Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) is a municipal utility, publicly owned rather than run for investors. It had 196,674 residential electric customers in 2025, 6.1%1 of the homes on Tennessee utilities' lines and the fourth-largest share in the state.
What those customers paid per kWh depends on the period asked about. In calendar 2025, EIA's final annual survey (EIA-861) puts the residential average at 13.83¢ per kWh1. Over the last 12 months, September 2025 to August 2026, EIA's monthly survey (EIA-861M) gives 14.33¢ per kWh, with the 2026 months still preliminary. For August 20263 on its own the preliminary figure was 14.50¢ per kWh2.
Each of the three is average revenue per kWh: KUB's residential electric revenue divided by the kWh its residential customers used. The monthly customer charge and any adjustments are spread across those kWh, so a small user pays more per kWh on average than a large one, and no single line of KUB's rate schedule will match these numbers. Only electric service is counted; any other utility charges on the same bill are outside EIA's figures.
The 2025 increase, set against Tennessee's other large utilities
From 2024 to 2025 KUB's residential average went from 12.54¢ per kWh4 to 13.83¢ per kWh, a rise of 10.3%1. Tennessee's statewide residential average rose 6.4%5 over the same year. The six other utilities with 100,000 or more residential customers rose by less:
| Utility | Average price change, 2024 to 2025 | Average bill change |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville Utilities Board | +10.3% | +11.9% |
| MLGW | +8.9% | +9.2% |
| Volunteer Energy Cooperative | +7.3% | +9.8% |
| Middle Tennessee Electric | +6.0% | +8.9% |
| Cumberland EMC | +5.9% | +11.7% |
| EPB | +4.6% | +5.6% |
| Nashville Electric Service | +4.2% | +6.2%1 |
KUB's average bill rose from $137.06 to $153.38 a month. Most of that came from the price: use per home edged up from 1,093 kWh4 to 1,109 kWh1 a month, a much smaller change. EIA's data show the size of the increase but not its cause; KUB's published rate schedule lists the individual charges.
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 | Knoxville Utilities Board (¢/kWh) | kWh per customer | Bill per customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 12.85¢ | 1,575 | $202.37 |
| February 2025 | 12.98¢ | 1,420 | $184.33 |
| March 2025 | 13.37¢ | 1,098 | $146.83 |
| April 2025 | 14.62¢ | 821 | $119.98 |
| May 2025 | 15.15¢ | 813 | $123.16 |
| June 2025 | 14.32¢ | 991 | $141.89 |
| July 2025 | 13.88¢ | 1,394 | $193.55 |
| August 2025 | 13.93¢ | 1,274 | $177.55 |
| September 2025 | 14.25¢ | 1,047 | $149.15 |
| October 2025 | 14.42¢ | 858 | $123.69 |
| November 2025 | 14.15¢ | 845 | $119.60 |
| December 2025 | 13.51¢ | 1,177 | $159.08 |
| January 2026 | 13.42¢ | 1,280 | $171.73 |
| February 2026 | 13.28¢ | 1,624 | $215.68 |
| March 2026 | 14.34¢ | 973 | $139.55 |
| April 2026 | 16.18¢ | 809 | $130.88 |
| May 2026 | 16.35¢ | 784 | $128.14 |
| June 2026 | 14.95¢ | 1,050 | $156.93 |
| July 2026 | 14.37¢ | 1,318 | $189.34 |
| August 2026 | 14.50¢ | 1,225 | $177.69 |
2026 so far: still above the 2025 average
The monthly survey shows prices kept climbing after 2025. KUB's 12-month average to August 2026, 14.33¢ per kWh, is above its calendar-2025 figure of 13.83¢ per kWh1. For comparison, Nashville Electric Service averaged 14.22¢ per kWh and EPB in Chattanooga 13.08¢ per kWh2 over the same 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026).
In August 2026, KUB customers paid an average of 14.50¢ per kWh, +4.1%2 against August 2025. Tennessee's residential average for that month was +2.5% on a year earlier. These 2026 figures are preliminary, and EIA revises them when the annual survey for 2026 is final. Anything billed after August 20263 is not yet in EIA's data; the next monthly release is due November 24, 2026.
Above the Tennessee average, below most of the country
On the 2025 average, KUB ranked 8th highest among the 55 Tennessee utilities with 10,000 or more residential customers and was 4.6% above the Tennessee average. That group ran from 11.54¢ per kWh at City of Bristol to 15.05¢ per kWh at City of Newport. Its East Tennessee peers among the large utilities averaged less: EPB 12.89¢ per kWh and Volunteer Energy Cooperative 13.08¢ 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.
Show the numbers
| Utility | average residential price (bundled customers) |
|---|---|
| EPB (TN) | 12.89¢ |
| Volunteer Energy Cooperative (TN) | 13.08¢ |
| MLGW (TN) | 13.24¢ |
| Knoxville Utilities Board (TN) | 13.83¢ |
| Nashville Electric Service (TN) | 14.04¢ |
Measured against the 177 US utilities with 100,000 or more residential customers, KUB was 57th lowest of 177, under their 2025 median of 15.07¢ per kWh. It was also 4.6% below the national average for public power, which was 14.49¢ per kWh1 that year. Knoxville lies in the Tennessee Valley Authority's region; in EIA's description, the federally owned TVA covers most of the state and supplies most of its electricity (EIA, Today in Energy).
The bill: below the state average, highest in February
A KUB home used 1,109 kWh a month on average in 2025, against 1,180 kWh for Tennessee, where use per home ranked 3rd highest among the states. Lower use offset the higher price: KUB's average bill of $153.381 was below the state's $156.036 in 2025.
Over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026) the average KUB home used 1,083 kWh a month and paid $155.18. The months differed widely. Use peaked in February 2026 at 1,624 kWh, with an average bill of $215.68, and was lowest in May 2026: 784 kWh and $128.142. The winter peak matches the state's pattern, and 63.2%7 of Tennessee households heated mainly with electricity in the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey (an estimate with a margin of error); EIA does not report heating fuel by utility.
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 | 1,047 | $149.15 | 14.25¢ |
| October 2025 | 858 | $123.69 | 14.42¢ |
| November 2025 | 845 | $119.60 | 14.15¢ |
| December 2025 | 1,177 | $159.08 | 13.51¢ |
| January 2026 | 1,280 | $171.73 | 13.42¢ |
| February 2026 | 1,624 | $215.68 | 13.28¢ |
| March 2026 | 973 | $139.55 | 14.34¢ |
| April 2026 | 809 | $130.88 | 16.18¢ |
| May 2026 | 784 | $128.14 | 16.35¢ |
| June 2026 | 1,050 | $156.93 | 14.95¢ |
| July 2026 | 1,318 | $189.34 | 14.37¢ |
| August 2026 | 1,225 | $177.69 | 14.50¢ |
Outage minutes: storm days made the difference
Counting every event, KUB customers averaged 274 minutes without power in 2025, more than the Tennessee average of 230 minutes. Remove the major event days, the IEEE 1366 adjustment that sets aside the largest storms, and KUB's figure falls to 149 minutes, against 151 minutes for Tennessee on the same basis. On ordinary days, then, KUB's record was close to the state's; the gap came from major event days. Customers saw 1.26 interruptions on average, against 1.638 statewide.
Seven counties, all shared
EIA's 2025 territory records list KUB in 7 counties: Anderson County, Blount County, Grainger County, Jefferson County, Knox County, Sevier County and Union County9. In every one of them at least one other distribution utility also reports service, so a county, city or ZIP code does not settle which utility serves a home. KUB's own service-area map decides by address.
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory; Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties. EIA-861 2025 service territory: 7 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson County | City of Clinton, City of Oak Ridge |
| Blount County | Sevier County Electric System, Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative, City of Alcoa Utilities, Maryville Utilities |
| Grainger County | Appalachian Electric Cooperative, Powell Valley Electric Cooperative |
| Jefferson County | Appalachian Electric Cooperative, City of Newport |
| Knox County | City of Lenoir, City of Clinton |
| Sevier County | Appalachian Electric Cooperative, Sevier County Electric System, City of Newport |
| Union County | City of Clinton, Powell Valley Electric Cooperative, City of LaFollette |
Smart meters, and a time-of-use option few use
Advanced (AMI) meters made up 99.5% of KUB's residential meters in 2025. KUB reported a time-of-use program to EIA with 87 residential customers enrolled, 0.0%11 of the total once rounded. Nearly every KUB home therefore pays the same price per kWh at any hour. The time-of-use guide explains how such plans change a bill where they are common.
Business and industrial customers
KUB's 25,652 commercial customers paid an average of 13.21¢ per kWh in 2025, with an average monthly bill of $1,005.92. Its 24 industrial accounts paid 5.47¢ per kWh, below the industrial averages at Volunteer Energy Cooperative (6.15¢ per kWh) and Nashville Electric Service (7.86¢ per kWh) that year. Large industrial accounts take power in bulk, often at higher voltage, so their average per kWh sits far below the residential one. Across all 222,350 customers KUB's average was 12.14¢ per kWh1.
Tennessee received $69.8 million12 in federal LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance for fiscal 2026; the guide to help paying an electric bill explains how to apply. For every utility in the state, see electricity in Tennessee.
KUB electric rates: common questions
What does KUB charge per kWh?
EIA reports averages, not tariff lines. KUB's residential customers paid an average of 13.83¢ per kWh1 in 2025 and 14.33¢ per kWh2 over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026; 2026 months preliminary). Each figure is residential electric revenue divided by kWh sold, so the monthly customer charge and adjustments are folded in. The individual charges are in KUB's own rate schedule.
Did KUB raise electric rates?
The average price rose from 12.54¢ per kWh4 in 2024 to 13.83¢ per kWh in 2025 (+10.3%1). In August 20263 the preliminary average was 14.50¢ per kWh, +4.1%2 against August 2025. EIA records what customers paid; it does not record the rate decisions behind the change.
What is the average KUB electric bill?
$153.38 a month in 2025 for 1,109 kWh1, electricity only. Over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026) the monthly average ranged from $119.60 in November 2025 to $215.68 in February 20262.
Can I buy electricity from a company other than KUB?
No. Tennessee has no retail electric choice: 0.0%1 of the state's residential customers bought from a competitive supplier in 2025. Which utility serves a home depends on its address, and KUB's service-area map settles it.
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
- EIA, Historical state data, annual sales, revenue and customers; table HS861 2010-.xlsx; 2010-2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 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, reliability; table Reliability_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 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, 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.