Quick Answer: Your July electric bill in Texas is usually among the year's highest, driven by air conditioning. A typical Texas home uses about 1,100 kWh a month. At roughly 16 cents per kWh, that comes to about $175 before fees and taxes. All-inclusive rent rolls power into one payment, so the savings depend on the bundle price.
Summer power bills catch many renters off guard, and July is often the worst month. This guide explains what your July electric bill in Texas typically costs, why it climbs so fast, and how apartments that include utilities in rent compare with paying for power on your own. Compass Flats offers studio and one-bedroom floor plans in New Braunfels, and you can review the community amenities before you plan your budget.
What Is an Average Electric Bill in Texas in July?
As of mid-2026, the average electric bill in Texas runs about $170 to $180 a month across the year, based on trackers that use U.S. Energy Information Administration data. July sits above that figure because cooling demand peaks. Texas residential rates stayed between roughly 15.4 and 16.4 cents per kWh through the first half of 2026, depending on the month and the data source. The U.S. Energy Information Administration's Texas electricity profile is the place to check official figures.
Treat any statewide number with care. The average mixes studios, townhomes, and large single-family homes, and each one uses power differently. A studio's bill will look nothing like a four-bedroom house's bill, even on the same street.
New Braunfels works differently from much of Texas. Most Texans choose a retail electricity plan, but New Braunfels is served by New Braunfels Utilities, a city-owned nonprofit, so residents cannot shop for a different provider. The utility's rates changed on August 1, 2025, under a two-year plan approved by the City Council. Published rate figures for New Braunfels also vary by source, so check the utility's current residential rate schedule before you compare.
Why Does Summer Push Your Electric Bill Up?
Air conditioning is the main reason. Analysts who work from EIA data estimate that cooling accounts for roughly 28 percent of electricity use in Texas homes, and almost all Texas homes have air conditioning equipment. Heat also means longer run times. An AC unit that works for twelve hours on a 100-degree day can use far more power than one that cycles off for half the day.
Settings make a difference too. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees when people are home and awake, which balances comfort and cost. Programmable thermostats can raise the setpoint while you are at work, and the department notes that a higher setting for eight hours a day can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling. Three habits help most:
- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and awake.
- Run a ceiling fan so you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher and stay comfortable.
- Replace air filters every 30 to 60 days during the cooling season.
Do All Bills Paid Apartments Save You Money?
An all bills paid apartment folds power, and sometimes water and internet, into one monthly payment. Utilities included apartments follow the same idea, but the exact list of covered services changes by property, so confirm it before you sign. The savings depend on comparing totals, not on the headline rent.
A simple test works well. Estimate what you would pay for power, water, and internet on your own, then compare that total with the difference between the bundled rent and the base rent for the same floor plan. A bundled rent that costs more than base rent can still come out ahead when a hot July would otherwise bring a $240 power bill.
The table below shows what the power portion alone costs at 16 cents per kWh. These are illustrations, not quotes from any property.
| Home type | Monthly use (kWh) | Estimated power cost |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Texas home | 1,100 | About $176 |
| Hot summer month, larger home | 1,500 | About $240 |
| Studio apartment (example) | 600 | About $96 |
Your own history is the best baseline. Look at the kilowatt-hour line on your bills, not only the total, because kWh shows how much power you used while the total reflects the rate, fees, and taxes. Compare July with your spring and fall bills, which usually show what the home uses without heavy cooling.
Studio apartments tend to use less power than houses, which is why a studio bill often lands below the statewide average. Actual use still depends on the unit, the number of residents, and how often the AC runs. Ask the leasing team which utilities the rent includes for the floor plan you want, then compare that answer with your own estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is an electric bill in Texas in July?
A typical Texas home uses about 1,100 kWh a month, and July often runs higher. At roughly 16 cents per kWh, that works out to about $175 before fees and taxes. A hot month with 1,500 kWh costs closer to $240 at the same rate.
2. Is the electric bill apartment renters pay in July much lower than a house?
Often, yes. Smaller homes have less space to cool and fewer appliances, so a studio apartment usually uses less power than a single-family house. For example, a studio that uses 600 kWh in a month would cost about $96 at 16 cents per kWh. Your actual bill depends on the unit, how many people live there, and how often the AC runs.
3. Can I choose my electricity provider in New Braunfels?
No. New Braunfels Utilities, a city-owned nonprofit, is the electric provider for the city, so residents do not shop for a retail plan the way many Texans do. Rate changes take effect after City Council approval. The utility's current rate schedule is the best place to check the price per kWh.
4. Do utilities included apartments always cost more?
Not always, but the bundled rent is often higher than the base rent. The real question is whether the total monthly cost is lower than what you would pay for power, water, and internet on your own. Compare the bundled figure with your estimate for the same floor plan, and read the lease to confirm which services are covered.
5. What should you compare before signing a lease?
Start with a short checklist so you compare the same things across every option:
- Which utilities the monthly rent includes, in writing.
- The total monthly cost of the bundle, not just the base rent.
- Your estimated power use for the floor plan, based on your own habits.
The Bottom Line for New Braunfels Renters
Your July electric bill in Texas can climb past $200 in a hot month, and that swing is hard to plan around. A single monthly payment that covers power removes the surprise, but it only saves money when the total beats what you would pay separately. In New Braunfels, where the city-owned utility sets electric rates, compare the full monthly cost on each floor plan before you decide.
