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ELECTRICITY USE

Check out the video “Watt’s On Your Utility Bill? Empowering Ratepayers,” to learn about:

  • What the electric grid is

  • How utilities make money

  • What’s included on your bill

  • What’s driving rising rates

  • How ratepayers can be more informed and empowered

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Or scroll through this page to read more!

MAIN PARTS OF YOUR BILL

DELIVERY:

What the utility charges for transmission & distribution

Fixed Service Charge


kWh Charge

Base cost of being connected​

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Cost of your usage per kWh

Delivery charges are broken into 2 blocks:

What is a kilowatt-hour?
Electric power is measured in watts. 1000 watts of power used for 1 hour is a kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy.

Ex) a 100 watt bulb lit for 10 hours uses 1 kwh of energy

Meter Details

As electricity flows into your home, the meter tracks how much is used over time.

 

Sometimes the utility does not read your meter and instead estimates your usage based on past bills.

  • If the estimate is too high, you may overpay without realizing it

 

How to Spot an Estimate

  • Look for the word “estimated” in the meter details section

  • Watch for unusual spikes or drops in your usage

 

What You Can Do

  • Contact your utility if something seems off

  • Request an actual meter reading to correct the bill

  • Delivery costs are generally made up of distribution and transmission costs, but also include policy and stranded costs, which cover:

    • Subsidies for home electrification

    • Assistance for vulnerable Mainers

    • Net energy billing

    • Major storm repairs

    • Infrastructure upgrades

POLICY & STRANDED COSTS

RESIDENTIAL DELIVERY RATES
OFFERED BY CMP

Rate A (Default)

By default, residential customers of Central Maine Power (CMP) pay the Rate A – Residential Service delivery rate. As of January 1, 2026 this rate is $30.21 (fixed rate for the first 50kWh) and $0.263684 per kWh. 

Alternative Delivery Rates (CMP)

Time-of-use (TOU) Rate

This means: 

  • Electricity costs more during peak hours (high demand times)

  • Costs less during off-peak hours (before 5 PM and after 9 PM when fewer people are using electricity)

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How to Lower Costs Under TOU Rates

  • Shift energy use to off-peak hours, such as:

    • Running the dishwasher at night

    • Doing laundry early morning or late evening

Electric Technology Rate

This rate is designed for customers with high electrical usage, such as those utilizing heat pumps or electric vehicles (EVs).

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While there is a higher monthly service fee, it can be offset by the savings on consumption, since the per-kWh cost is lower.

LEARN MORE:

CMP Delivery Rate Calculator ​

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This calculator can provide your estimated delivery cost on the Residential Rate A, versus the Residential TOU rate, versus the Electric Technology Rate. 

 

The calculations do not include tax, fees, interest or supply charges.

Residential Electric Rates

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This page, hosted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission, provides the average residential electric rates by utility. This includes transmission, distribution, stranded costs, and standard offer supply rates.

*Visit your CMP account to view hourly electricity usage data

SUPPLY:

The electricity itself

Standard Offer (Default Option)

If you do not choose a supplier, you are automatically enrolled in the Standard Offer.

  • This is a default rate determined annually by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)

  • Based on a mix of energy sources feeding into the grid

  • You can switch to or from the Standard Offer at any time

  • It is often the simplest and most stable option for many households

Choosing A Supplier

You can choose to switch from the default Standard Offer to a Competitive Electricity Provider (CEP) to potentially find better rates, fixed-price contracts, or green energy options.

Learn More

Electricity Supply Options

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This chart by the Maine Office of The Public Advocate is a representative sample of CEPs supplying electricity in Maine. 

Choosing a Supplier

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The Maine Public Utilities Commission outlines some things you should know if you are considering a CEP.

Community Solar

  • If you are enrolled in community solar, you may receive credits on your bill

  • These credits can help offset part of your supply charges

*Note that the discounts advertised by community solar providers are often based on the default Rate A (delivery) and Standard Offer (supply) rates. 

COMMON QUESTIONS

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What Happens If You Can’t Pay the Full Bill?

  • To avoid disconnection, you typically only need to pay something each month, not necessarily the full amount. There are also a few assistance options available (see below).​

​Why Are Electric Rates Increasing?​​​

Several factors contribute to rising costs:

  • Aging Infrastructure

    • The electric grid is outdated and needs upgrades

  • Incentive Structure:

    • Utilities earn more from building new infrastructure than maintaining existing systems

  • Ongoing Maintenance Costs: 

    • Customers still pay for maintenance and repairs (known as "Stranded Costs")

  • Rising Energy Demand: ​

    • A surge in power usage has increased energy demand​

    • Geopolitical events also contribute to supply constraints

Where Does Our Electricity Come From?

  • A large share of electricity in the region comes from natural gas (often imported as liquid natural gas)

Figure 1. Electricity Generation by Source, Maine (2024).png

How can I find out which appliances are using the most electricity?​​

  • Manual Calculation:

    • Multiply the appliance's wattage by the number of hours used per day, then divide by 1,000 to get kilowatt-hours (kWh).

  • Use an electricity monitor

    • These range from whole-home panel monitors to plug in monitors used for individual appliances​

Learn More

Top Seven Appliances that Use the Most Energy in Your Home

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This article goes over the top appliances that use the most energy, and how you can lower their energy consumption.

ASSISTANCE

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

  • The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP) helps homeowners and renters pay for heating costs, including fuel costs and emergency fuel delivery.

  • HEAP is primarily administered by MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) in collaboration with local Community Action Agencies (CAA/CAP)

Or contact your local Community Action Agency

Emergency Assistance: If you are out of fuel or facing utility shut-off, contact your CAP agency immediately

Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP)/Electricity Lifeline Program (ELP)

  • LIAP (Low-Income Assistance Program) is a state-mandated program requiring utilities to provide assistance to low-income customers

  • ELP (Electricity Lifeline Program)is Central Maine Power’s (CMP) Low-Income Assistance Program.

    • Year-round CMP customers who qualify for HEAP may receive a monthly credit on electric bills to reduce their annual cost.​

    • Apply through your local CAA.

TIPS TO SAVE ON ENERGY

Heating & Cooling

  • Use the sun to your advantage: open south‑facing shades in winter days, close them at night. “Leave shades and drapes open on south (sunny) side during warmer parts of the day…”

  • In summer, keep shades closed to block heat.

  • Close the fireplace flue when not in use; consider a chimney balloon if the damper is worn.

  • Wear warmer clothing before raising the thermostat.

  • Keep vents, registers, and baseboards clean and unblocked.

  • Turning the thermostat higher doesn’t heat faster—just costs more.

  • Turn down the thermostat when away for long periods.

  • Ceiling fans:

    • Summer → counterclockwise for a cooling breeze

    • Winter → slow clockwise to push warm air down

  • Lock windows to reduce drafts.

  • Clean or replace furnace filters regularly.

Kitchen & Bath

  • Turn off exhaust fans within 20 minutes of cooking or showering.

  • Use cold water for small tasks; warm water may not reach the faucet in time.

  • Keep ovens and stovetops clean so they heat efficiently.

Appliances

Refrigerators

  • Set proper temperatures:

    • Fridge: 36–38°F

    • Freezer: 0–5°F

  • Keep the fridge reasonably full; add water containers if needed.

  • Don’t overpack—air must circulate.

  • Ensure the door seals tightly.

  • Clean refrigerator coils twice a year.

Dishwashers

  • Use air‑dry instead of heat‑dry.

  • Scrape dishes instead of rinsing before loading.

Laundry

  • Wash with cold or cool water when possible (heating uses most of the energy).

  • Wash full loads or adjust water levels.

  • Clean the dryer lint filter after every load.

  • Air‑dry clothes in warm months.

  • Make sure the exterior dryer vent closes properly.

Oven & Cooking

  • Avoid opening the oven door repeatedly. “Every time you open the door, it could lower your oven temperature.”

  • Match pan size to burner size.

  • Use toaster ovens or microwaves for small meals.

  • Use the broiler when possible—no preheat needed.

  • Cook with lids on to retain heat.

Lighting

  • Use natural daylight when possible.

  • Turn off lights if leaving a room for more than 15 minutes

Water

  • Fix leaky faucets—they waste gallons quickly.

  • Take shorter showers.

  • Set water heater to 120°F.

  • When washing dishes by hand, fill a basin with soapy water and rinse briefly.

Additional Low‑Cost Energy‑Saving Tips

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs or other efficient bulbs.

  • Insulate hot water pipes.

  • Install low‑flow faucets and showerheads.

  • Add foam gaskets behind outlets to reduce drafts.

  • Use weather‑stripping on doors and windows.

  • Add door sweeps to seal gaps at the bottom of exterior doors.

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