Is electricity expensive in North Carolina?

North Carolina's residential average of 14.7¢/kWh is 20% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 11 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).

What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in North Carolina?

Among currently certified models, the Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A costs the least at about $100 a year at North Carolina rates (681 kWh/yr).

How does North Carolina compare with other states?

The same median electric water heater costs $159 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $638 in Hawaii (the priciest). North Carolina sits at $178.

Data through June 2026

Cost to run · North Carolina · 14.7¢/kWh residential average

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in North Carolina?

$178/yr · median certified model

Residential electricity in North Carolina runs 14.7¢/kWh — 20% under the U.S. average — putting the median certified electric water heater at about $178 a year, versus $222 nationally.

In the national ranking, North Carolina lands at 11 of 51 for what an electric water heater costs to run. At local rates, certified models span $100 (Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A) to $257 (Smart Solar SSG2-ES 120) per year — $156 of annual headroom that depends entirely on which unit you buy. For reference, the national extremes are Nevada (13.1¢/kWh) and Hawaii (52.7¢/kWh); the same median electric water heater would cost $159 and $638 a year there.

North Carolina

$178

US average

$222

Nevada

$159

Hawaii

$638

Median certified electric water heater (1,210 kWh/yr) per year, at each rate

The cheapest water heaters (electric) to run at North Carolina rates

Top 10 by certified kWh, priced at 14.7¢/kWh
#	Model	kWh/yr	$/yr in NC
1	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A	681	$100
2	GE Profile PF40S10FPY01	724	$107
3	Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP2-1A	769	$113
4	GE Profile PH40S10BPY01	773	$114
5	Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-M	780	$115
6	Friedrich PROH40 T0 FD120-MSO	780	$115
7	Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-M	780	$115
8	Rheem PROPH40 T0 RH120-MSO	780	$115
9	Rheem XE40T10HM00U0	780	$115
10	Rheem XE40T10HMS00U0	780	$115

Price any model at North Carolina rates

Your rate, your numbers

Annual use (kWh)

Electricity rate

Per day: 49¢
Per month: $14.86
Per year: $178

1,210 kWh/yr × 14.7¢/kWh = $178/yr

Prefilled with the median certified electric water heater (1,210 kWh/yr). Every model page on this site carries its exact certified figure.

Questions, answered with the data

How much does it cost to run an electric water heater in North Carolina?: About $178 a year for the median ENERGY STAR certified electric water heater, at North Carolina's average residential rate of 14.7¢/kWh — that's $14.86 a month.
Is electricity expensive in North Carolina?: North Carolina's residential average of 14.7¢/kWh is 20% below the U.S. average of 18.3¢/kWh, ranking 11 of 51 jurisdictions (1 = cheapest).
What's the cheapest electric water heater to run in North Carolina?: Among currently certified models, the Eco-Logical OMNI-50HP1-1A costs the least at about $100 a year at North Carolina rates (681 kWh/yr).
How does North Carolina compare with other states?: The same median electric water heater costs $159 a year in Nevada (the cheapest state) and $638 in Hawaii (the priciest). North Carolina sits at $178.

Keep digging

Rate source: US EIA, average residential price of electricity, see methodology.