Sunprint
At a glance
Three numbers explain most SCE bills:
SCE says energy use often rises at certain times of year, especially with warmer weather that keeps the air conditioner running. Homes that bought their power from SCE averaged 506 kWh and about $164 a month in 2024, in EIA data.
Summer and 4 to 9 p.m.
On TOU-D-4-9PM, SCE's standard time-of-use plan, the most expensive power is 4 to 9 p.m.:
| Per kWh | 4 to 9 p.m. | Other hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summer weekdays | 59¢ | 33¢ |
| Summer weekends | 44¢ | 33¢ |
| Winter | 50¢ | 32¢ from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 36¢ overnight |
Rounded to the cent as SCE shows them, for homes buying power from SCE. Summer is June to September. Your baseline use gets a 9-cent credit. Source: SCE time-of-use plans page.
A summer weekday kWh at 6 p.m. costs nearly twice one at noon.
Baseline allowances and tiers
SCE gives every home a baseline allowance of lower-priced kWh a day, set by climate zone and season. On the tiered plan you pay 30 cents per kWh within it and 39 cents beyond; on time-of-use plans, baseline use gets a 9-cent credit. The allowance ranges widely:
Zone 15's summer allowance is more than twice any other zone's. In zones with small allowances, a hot month pushes more of your use into the higher price.
Fixed charges on an SCE bill
- Base Services Charge. Since November 2025, $24.15 a month for most homes ($12.08 on FERA, $6.00 on CARE), replacing the old Basic Charge, with kWh prices about 10% lower. See our Base Services Charge guide.
- Fixed Recovery Charge. A separate charge that repays bonds the CPUC approved for SCE's wildfire prevention and mitigation costs. SCE collects it on behalf of the entity that issued the bonds.
A bill after a delay
SCE says that if you haven't received a bill for a few months, your next one may be higher because it includes charges from past billing periods as well as the current one. SCE offers payment arrangements and assistance programs if a bill is more than you expected.
If another provider supplies your power
In 2024 SCE delivered power to 1,374,895 homes whose power came from another provider, such as a community choice provider, and supplied 3,219,520 homes itself, in EIA data. If you're in the first group, part of your bill pays for your provider's generation.
What lowers an SCE bill
- Nudge the thermostat. SCE says each degree higher can save 3 to 5% on cooling costs.
- Shift use before 4 p.m. Laundry, dishes and EV charging cost less outside 4 to 9 p.m. on time-of-use plans.
- Summer Discount Plan. SCE says you can earn up to $160 in bill credits by signing up, at no cost to enroll.
- Track it. SCE's online account compares your usage with past bills and projects your next one.
- Make your own power. See solar for SCE customers.
What a free quote call gets you
- One verified local installer
- The installed price for your roof
- Your payback years from that price
- Free, with no obligation
See what solar could save you
About a minute, and no phone number needed. If the number looks good, a free quote call gets you the exact price.
Common questions
Why is my SCE bill so high?
Mostly the price: SCE's average price per kWh for homes buying power from it doubled from 16.2 cents in 2019 to 32.4 cents in 2024, in EIA data, and SCE puts it at 34.4 cents since June 2026. Summer air conditioning, 4 to 9 p.m. use and use beyond your baseline allowance add to it.
What are SCE's peak hours?
On TOU-D-4-9PM, 4 to 9 p.m. every day. On summer weekdays a kWh costs 59 cents then and 33 cents at other hours; in winter, 50 cents.
What is SCE's baseline allowance?
A set number of lower-priced kWh a day based on your climate zone and the season, from 11.4 kWh a day in zone 6 to 45 kWh a day in zone 15 in summer.
Why was my SCE bill high after I didn't get a bill for months?
SCE says a bill after a delay can include charges from past billing periods along with the current one. It offers payment arrangements.
What is the Fixed Recovery Charge on my SCE bill?
A charge that repays bonds the CPUC approved for SCE's wildfire prevention and mitigation costs. SCE collects it on behalf of the entity that issued the bonds; it's separate from the $24.15 Base Services Charge.
Related guides
- Solar for SCE customers
- Average electric bill in California
- The Base Services Charge
- Your solar true-up bill
- Is solar worth it in California?
- California solar calculator
Prices are rounded and change during the year; check SCE's rate pages for your plan. EIA figures are averages. Sources: SCE time-of-use plans · SCE tiered rate plan · SCE rate advisory · SCE: Base Services Charge · SCE: why has my bill increased? · EIA Form 861. Reviewed October 2026.
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