Electricity rates in Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill (59,568 people, Orange County) is served by 3 electric utilities. Homes on Duke Energy Carolinas pay about 13.94¢/kWh, 6% less than the North Carolina average.
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Electric companies serving Chapel Hill
| Utility | Type | Rate | Avg bill | Homes (statewide) | Outage min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Energy Carolinas | Investor-owned utility | 13.94¢ | $139 | 1.96M | 216 |
| Duke Energy Progress | Investor-owned utility | 16.45¢ | $172 | 1.38M | 183 |
| Piedmont Electric Member Corp. | Electric cooperative | 16.46¢ | $196 | 31K | 503 |
Power outages in Orange County right now
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Outage history in Orange County
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outage minutes per customer | 1,881 | 1,742 |
| Days with outages | 122 | 117 |
| Most customers out at once | 11,997 (62.6%) | 23,235 (121.2%) |
| Worst day | 2024-08-09 | 2025-07-07 |
Outage minutes by month, 2025
Less outage time than 2024 (1,881 min). Data: ORNL EAGLE-I county outage snapshots every 15 minutes, covering all utilities in the county.
Nearby cities
- Carrboro 13.9¢
- Briar Chapel 13.9¢
- Fearrington Village 13.9¢
- Durham 13.9¢
- Hillsborough 13.9¢
- Morrisville 13.9¢
- Pittsboro 13.9¢
- Saxapahaw 13.9¢
- Gorman 13.9¢
- Apex 16.4¢
ZIP codes: 27514, 27515, 27516, 27517, 27599
Frequently asked questions
What is the electricity rate in Chapel Hill?
Most homes in Chapel Hill get power from Duke Energy Carolinas, where residential customers pay an average of 13.94¢/kWh including all charges. The North Carolina average is 14.77¢ and the U.S. average 17.99¢. Other utilities serving parts of Chapel Hill: Duke Energy Progress (16.45¢), Piedmont Electric Member Corp. (16.46¢).
What is the average electric bill in Chapel Hill?
About $139 a month, based on 996 kWh a month (the average for Duke Energy Carolinas customers) at 13.94¢/kWh. Homes with electric heat, pools or EVs pay more.
Who is the electric company in Chapel Hill, NC?
3 utilities serve Chapel Hill's ZIP codes: Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Piedmont Electric Member Corp.. Which one serves you depends on your street address.
How often does the power go out in Chapel Hill?
In 2025, customers in Orange County averaged 29 hr 2 min without power. Outages hit 117 days of the year, and the worst day was 2025-07-07, when 23,235 customers (121.2%) were out. Source: ORNL EAGLE-I.