| When you think about your electric bill, you probably | | | | possible- not always the least expensive. It is usually |
| like most people, get very intimidated. With its many | | | | the customer's responsibility to research the tariff to |
| different line items charges, references to meter | | | | find and determine whether or not any other rates |
| numbers and account numbers, rate schedule codes, | | | | are available and or would be beneficial. The tariff lists |
| etc. The electric bill can be very hard to understand | | | | out the different rates available and explains the |
| and when you try to implement ways to save, how | | | | qualifications for each in addition to the charges to be |
| will you know when what you have done has | | | | charged by each. A tariff is governed by a regulatory |
| worked? Before you can accurately analyze an | | | | body like the Public Service Commission. |
| electric bill and determine ways to reduce it, an | | | | Rate Schedule Examples |
| understanding of the items being charged on it is a | | | | The rate schedule governs everything related to the |
| must. Sometimes, the bill itself and the items thereon | | | | charges you see on your electric bill. The customer |
| and furthermore the way these items are being | | | | charge, the demand or peak draw charge, and of |
| charged and manipulating them are the easiest and | | | | course the kWh charge are all based on the electric |
| best way of reducing your electric bill. Rarely, does | | | | rate schedule you are being billed under. These rates |
| one utility company bill the same as another. Some | | | | have names like General Service (GS), General |
| items are billed by one company and not by another | | | | Service Demand (GSD), General Service Demand |
| and so on. The electric rates schedule spells out | | | | Time of Use (GSDTOU), etc. A manufacturing |
| which charges are being billed and at what rate. For | | | | company might be put on GSD rate. This rate would |
| example, your price per kilowatt hour might be 10 | | | | mean that this customer, in addition to paying for the |
| cents or 5 cents depending on your rate. There are | | | | customer charge, taxes, and kWh charges, would |
| some basic rate classifications and distinctions that will | | | | also be charged a demand charge. Sometimes a |
| likely be present and billed for by most utilities | | | | demand charge can be greater than any other |
| companies. Each of these billing distinctions will depend | | | | charge on the bill. What if this customer could save |
| upon the rate schedule classification you are on. | | | | money simply by opting out of this rate and change |
| What Is A Rate Schedule Classification? | | | | to another rate like GS or GSTOU? Because the |
| The rate schedule classification is the rate schedule | | | | optional rates are hidden in the tariff, unless the |
| that your utility company has decided to bill your | | | | customer has read the tariff and understood it, how |
| account and or meter under. Most electric utilities | | | | will they know if they are on the best rate? That is |
| have several rate schedule possibilities available to | | | | where a professional bill auditing company can come |
| each customer. The utility company generally puts | | | | in. They can determine if you are being billed |
| each customer on the most basic applicable rate | | | | correctly and are on the best rate. |