Enter the kWh from your last bill. We'll compute your true marginal price per kWh, estimate your bill,
tell you straight whether a home battery pays for itself in LA, and size a solar system that would. Built on real
LADWP bills, not marketing math.
Your usage
It's on page 1 of your LADWP bill under "Electric charges" — use kWh, not dollars
(LADWP bills bundle water & sewer, so the total $ isn't pure electricity).
Nearly all LADWP residential accounts are billed every two months.
Most of LA is Zone 1. Hotter inland areas — much of the San Fernando Valley — are Zone 2
(higher tier allowances). It's printed on your bill.
Your marginal cost
—
What the next kWh costs you — and what every kWh you save or generate is worth. Includes the
10% LA city utility tax.
Effective all-in rate
—
Total electric bill ÷ kWh, including the fixed Power Access Charge.
Estimated electric bill
—
This period, electricity only — water/sewer not included.
Where you land in LADWP's tiers
Bill breakdown (estimate)
Modeled on LADWP's R-1A "Standard" residential rate. Checked against a real Sherman Oaks bill
(1,845 kWh, low season): model says —, actual bill was $599.38.
Does a home battery pay for itself here?
🔋
No — and it's not close.
Typical installed price (Powerwall 3, real 2026 LA quote)
$14,485
Federal 30% tax credit in 2026 expired 12/31/25
$0
LADWP residential battery rebate
$0*
Realistic annual bill savings under LADWP net metering
$0–100
Payback vs. ~10-year warranty life
Never
*Only income-qualified programs exist, and they're waitlisted. A battery in LA is a
backup-power purchase, not an investment. If your goal is a lower bill, the move that actually pays back
under LADWP's net metering is adding panels — see below.
What solar would do
Tiered vs. time-of-use: should you switch?
Want real numbers for your roof?
We'll match you with a vetted local installer for a no-pressure quote —
and we'll tell you if the math says don't buy.