Anne Arundel County Utility Costs

Complete guide to utility costs in Anne Arundel County - electricity, water, gas, internet, and other essential services

Anne Arundel County Utility Costs

Understanding utility costs in Anne Arundel County is essential for budgeting. This guide covers electric, water, gas, internet, and other utility expenses throughout the county.

Electric Service

AEP Maryland

Service Area:

  • Most of Anne Arundel County
  • Primary electric provider
  • Generation and distribution

Contact:

Electric Rates

Rate Structure:

  • Base rate per kilowatt-hour
  • Seasonal variations
  • Time-of-use pricing available
  • Different tiers based on usage

Average Costs:

  • Summer (high usage): $120-200/month
  • Winter (heating): $100-180/month
  • Spring/Fall (moderate): $80-140/month
  • Annual average: $100-160/month

Heating Costs

Electric Heating:

  • Higher winter costs
  • Heat pumps efficient
  • Baseboard heating expensive
  • Thermostat management helps

Average Winter Bill:

  • Smaller home: $100-140
  • Medium home: $140-200
  • Large home: $200-300+

Cooling Costs

Air Conditioning:

  • Summer usage varies
  • Heat waves increase costs
  • Programmable thermostats help
  • Energy-efficient units cost less

Average Summer Bill:

  • Moderate AC use: $120-160
  • Heavy AC use: $160-240
  • Minimal AC: $80-120

Energy Efficiency Tips

Reduce Costs:

  • Programmable thermostat
  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • LED lighting
  • Weatherization
  • Regular maintenance
  • Seal drafts

Save Money:

  • Use off-peak hours
  • Lower heat in winter, higher in summer
  • Use ceiling fans
  • Unplug electronics
  • Energy audit available

Natural Gas

Availability

Service Area:

  • Most of county covered
  • PG&W (Potomac Gas) provides service
  • Some areas no gas service
  • Check availability for specific address

Provider:

  • Potomac Gas Utility Company
  • Natural gas distribution
  • Billing and service

Gas Rates

Rate Structure:

  • Per therm or CCF
  • Seasonal pricing
  • Customer charge
  • Usage-based pricing

Average Costs:

Winter (heating):

  • Small home: $80-120/month
  • Medium home: $120-180/month
  • Large home: $180-300+/month

Summer (cooking, water heater):

  • Basic usage: $30-50/month
  • Heavy usage: $50-80/month

Annual Gas Costs

Typical Year:

  • Heating season (6 months): $600-1,500
  • Non-heating season: $200-400
  • Total annual: $800-1,900

Factors Affecting Cost:

  • Home size
  • Insulation
  • Age of heating system
  • Thermostat settings
  • Weather severity

Water & Sewer

Anne Arundel County Water

Provider:

  • County Department of Public Works
  • Water distribution
  • Sewer services

Contact:

Water Rates

Residential Rates:

  • Base charge
  • Per 1,000 gallons
  • Tiered pricing
  • Minimum charge

Average Monthly Costs:

Small household (1-2 people):

  • Water: $40-60/month
  • Sewer: $40-60/month
  • Total: $80-120/month

Medium household (3-4 people):

  • Water: $60-90/month
  • Sewer: $60-90/month
  • Total: $120-180/month

Large household (5+ people):

  • Water: $90-150+/month
  • Sewer: $90-150+/month
  • Total: $180-300+/month

Water Quality

Testing:

  • County provides annual water quality report
  • Regular testing
  • Public reports available
  • Private testing available

Issues:

  • Generally good quality
  • Older homes may have plumbing issues
  • Well water different requirements

Sewer Services

Sewer Coverage:

  • County sewer in most areas
  • Septic in some rural areas
  • Different rates for each

Septic Systems:

  • Homeowner responsibility
  • Regular pumping required
  • Inspection needed for sale
  • Maintenance costs extra

Internet Service

Providers in Anne Arundel

Comcast Xfinity:

  • Most widespread coverage
  • Cable internet
  • Speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
  • Bundle options available

Verizon Fios:

  • Fiber optic
  • Available in select areas
  • High speeds
  • Reliable service

Google Fiber:

  • Expanding service area
  • Check availability
  • Competitive pricing
  • Fast speeds

CenturyLink:

  • DSL and fiber options
  • Available in some areas
  • Moderate speeds
  • Bundle options

Satellite:

  • HughesNet
  • Viasat
  • Rural areas
  • Higher latency

Internet Costs

Basic DSL (25-50 Mbps):

  • $40-60/month
  • Adequate for browsing
  • Limited for streaming

Cable (100-400 Mbps):

  • $50-80/month
  • Good for most households
  • Streaming, gaming ok

Fiber (300-1,000 Mbps):

  • $60-100/month
  • Fast speeds
  • Good for heavy use
  • Price varies by speed

Promotions:

  • Often first-year discounts
  • Bundle discounts
  • Check current promotions
  • Read fine print

Installation Costs

Setup Fees:

  • $50-100 typically
  • Often waived with promotions
  • Equipment fees may apply
  • Check current fees

Equipment:

  • Modem rental: $10-15/month
  • Router rental: $10-15/month
  • Buy own equipment to save
  • Sometimes included in promotion

Cable & Streaming

Traditional Cable

Providers:

  • Xfinity cable TV
  • Limited cable providers
  • Traditional packages

Costs:

  • Basic packages: $50-80/month
  • Standard packages: $80-120/month
  • Premium packages: $120-200+/month
  • Equipment fees extra
  • Bundle discounts available

Streaming Services

Popular Services:

Netflix: $15-20/month
Hulu: $7-15/month
Amazon Prime Video: $15/year (included with Prime)
Disney+: $10-15/month
HBO Max: $15-20/month
YouTube TV: $73/month
Sling TV: $40-55/month

Typical Setup:

  • One main service: $15-20/month
  • Two services: $30-40/month
  • Three or more: $50-80+/month

Trash & Recycling

County Services

Trash Collection:

  • County provides service
  • Scheduled pickup
  • Containers provided
  • Regular schedule

Costs:

  • Included in property taxes for most
  • Some homeowners pay separately
  • Check with property management

Recycling:

  • County recycling program
  • Separate from trash
  • Free service
  • Guidelines available

Private Services

Apartment Communities:

  • Management pays service
  • Included in rent
  • Check lease terms

HOA Communities:

  • May pay separately
  • Check HOA fees
  • Varies by community

Additional Utilities

Telephone Service

Landline:

  • Decreasingly common
  • Some businesses still use
  • Cost: $30-50/month
  • Often bundled with internet

Mobile:

  • Phone plans
  • $30-100+/month per line
  • Family plans available
  • Data usage affects cost

Home Security

Security Systems:

  • Monitored systems
  • Self-monitoring options
  • Equipment costs
  • Monthly monitoring fees

Typical Costs:

  • Basic systems: $20-40/month
  • Full monitoring: $40-60/month
  • Equipment purchase or lease

Pool Maintenance

If Applicable:

  • Chemical maintenance
  • Equipment upkeep
  • Cleaning service
  • Seasonal costs

Average Costs:

  • DIY: $50-100/month (season)
  • Professional: $100-200+/month

Total Utility Costs

Monthly Estimates by Home Type

Apartment (1 bedroom):

  • Electric: $60-100
  • Water: $30-50 (often included)
  • Gas: $30-60 (if included, less)
  • Internet: $50-80
  • Total: $140-290/month

Apartment (2 bedroom):

  • Electric: $80-120
  • Water: $40-60 (often included)
  • Gas: $40-80 (if included, less)
  • Internet: $50-80
  • Total: $170-340/month

Small House (2-3 bedroom):

  • Electric: $100-160
  • Water: $60-100
  • Gas: $50-150 (seasonal)
  • Internet: $50-80
  • Total: $260-490/month

Medium House (3-4 bedroom):

  • Electric: $120-180
  • Water: $80-120
  • Gas: $70-200 (seasonal)
  • Internet: $50-80
  • Total: $320-580/month

Large House (5+ bedroom):

  • Electric: $160-250
  • Water: $100-150
  • Gas: $100-300+ (seasonal)
  • Internet: $50-100
  • Total: $410-700+/month

Seasonal Variations

Summer:

  • Higher electric (AC)
  • Water usage may increase
  • Pool costs if applicable
  • Overall: +$50-150/month

Winter:

  • Higher electric or gas (heating)
  • Water usage similar
  • Possible freeze concerns
  • Overall: +$50-200/month

Spring/Fall:

  • Lowest utility costs
  • Moderate electric usage
  • No heating or heavy cooling
  • Overall: baseline costs

Budget Planning Tips

Estimating Your Costs

Check Current Bills:

  • Ask current occupant
  • Request utility history
  • Review previous bills
  • Get accurate estimates

Factor in Changes:

  • Larger/smaller home
  • Different usage habits
  • Energy efficiency
  • Family size changes

Saving Money

General Tips:

  • Compare providers
  • Watch usage patterns
  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • Smart thermostats
  • LED lighting
  • Seal drafts
  • Regular maintenance

Negotiate:

  • Call providers for promotions
  • Ask for retention offers
  • Bundle services
  • Compare competitors

Setting Up Utilities

Move-In Checklist

Contact Providers:

  • Electric: 3-5 days before move
  • Gas: 2-3 days before move
  • Water: Coordinate with county
  • Internet: 1-2 weeks before (installation)
  • Trash: Confirm service

Required Information:

  • Social Security number
  • Driver’s license
  • Proof of address
  • Employment info
  • Credit check

Deposits:

  • Electric: $100-300
  • Gas: May require deposit
  • Internet: Equipment fees
  • Check current requirements

Common Issues

Electric Outages

Report: 410-486-1234
Check: Outage map online
Prepare: Emergency kit
After: Check appliances

High Bills

Investigate:

  • Usage spike
  • Rate changes
  • Equipment issues
  • Seasonal factors

Action:

  • Contact provider
  • Request billing investigation
  • Energy audit
  • Check for errors

Service Issues

Internet Problems:

  • Restart equipment
  • Contact provider
  • Schedule technician
  • Check outages

Water Issues

No Water:

  • Check if whole area affected
  • Contact county immediately
  • Emergency number available
  • Save water until restored

For more budgeting info:

Official Utility Resources

Service Providers Information

MD PSC (Public Service Commission)

Maryland Energy Administration

Local Utility Providers

BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric)

Potomac Electric Power Company (PECO)

Water and Sewer

Anne Arundel County Water Resources

Annapolis Water System

Last updated: May 2026

Last updated: May 2026