Energy costs in Iowa
Every figure we hold for Iowa, on one page. Each links to the working behind it.
A heating state
Iowa runs about 6,600 heating degree days against 1,000 cooling ones, so the heating system does most of the work and is where an upgrade pays off. Its electricity bill peaks in July.
Electricity
14.14¢
per kWh
Gas $1.52/therm ›
Typical bill
$119
a month
Peaks at $173 ›
Air conditioning
$144
a year
$0.30 an hour ›
Heating
$1660
a season
Heat pump is cheaper ›
Solar payback
10 yrs
on a 6 kW system
Generates at 6.4¢/kWh ›
Common questions
How much does energy cost in Iowa?
Electricity is 14.14¢ per kilowatt hour and natural gas $1.52 per therm. A typical household pays about $119 a month for electricity.
Does Iowa spend more on heating or cooling?
Heating. Iowa runs about 6,600 heating degree days against 1,000 cooling ones, so winter dominates and the heating system is where money is worth spending.
For your own home
Everything above describes a 1,800 square foot home at Iowa average prices. The calculators take your ZIP code and your own numbers.
Open the calculatorsPrices from the US Energy Information Administration, 2026-05. Solar production modelled by NREL. Heating and cooling loads estimated from Iowa's degree days. Estimates, not quotes.