Billing and Consumption Fundamentals
This page covers several energy resources as well as water, sewer and garbage.
Electricity
All electricity used at a facility goes through a meter. Study your billing rate schedules and learn to read your electric meters. For those facilities that do not have an energy management control system (EMCS), you will want to use direct meter data to spot check the energy consumption for a specific period—this allows you to develop daily load profiles for any facility.
Some equipment may have a separate meter, such as large irrigation pumps, stadium lighting or a scoreboard. In many cases each portable building has its own electric meter.
Rate Schedules
Electric utilities typically offer several different rate schedules to their customers. These include a residential rate, a commercial rate, a large commercial rate, an industrial rate, an irrigation rate, and sometimes a separate rate for street lighting. Utilities charge different rates for different services; for example:
- Residential rates do not typically include a charge for electric demand.
- An industrial rate may include charges for consumption, electric demand, and power factor (an indication of an electrical system’s efficiency).
Some utilities may have more than one rate that would be applicable to a particular facility. Get copies of the rate schedules that apply to your facilities. You may need to develop additional materials, such as a load profile: a chart showing electrical demand over time and documenting the distribution of building heating, cooling and electrical loads.
Electricity charges can be complicated – you will need to be familiar with some or all of the following terms:
- Basic or base charge
- Block charge
- Consumption charge
- Demand charge
- Ratchet demand charge
- Power factor
- Power factor adjustment
- Base load
- Variable loads
Resources:
- Electricity Measurements Terms, from the Energy Information Administration
- Understanding Demand Charges
- Understanding Power Factor
Natural Gas
Natural gas consumption js measured in units called therms. A therm is equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units (Btu). Natural gas has an associated base charge or meter charge. The base charge will vary depending on the utility and the size of the meter. If operations have changed significantly at a facility and a smaller meter can be installed, there may be considerable savings in base charges.
If the gas consumption is seasonal, such as with an outdoor pool, there may be an advantage to canceling service during periods of non-use. Note: There may be a charge for reactivation.
Ratchet charge
Some natural gas utilities have a ratchet on consumption. The charge in the rate schedule is based on a percent (say 40 percent) of the highest month’s consumption in the past 11 months. This type of rate schedule is typically reserved for large commercial users and is designed for facilities with a relatively even annual load. If, for example, a facility uses 20,000 therms during the coldest winter month, this would then set the charge for the next 11 months. During the summer months the boilers are turned off and gas is only used for some kitchen equipment and some domestic hot water heaters. The consumption may drop to 2,000 therms for a month. However, because of the 40 percent ratchet clause on the rate schedule, the facility is charged for 8,000 therms (40 percent of 20,000). Study rate schedules and your gas-use profiles closely to determine which rate schedule is best for each facility.
Firm versus interruptible
Natural gas companies are limited in their capacity to deliver gas by the capacity of the main gas transmission lines. During extremely cold conditions, shortages can occur. To accommodate customers with different needs, gas companies offer gas as a firm or interruptible commodity. A firm gas rate costs more than an interruptible rate. If you select a firm rate schedule, the utility will not cut service to you due to high regional demands for gas. Some gas companies offer different degrees of “interruptibility.” Those customers interrupted first, as specified in the rate schedule, will likely pay the lowest price for gas.
The price for interruptible gas is typically 15 to 30 percent less than firm gas, depending on the volumes used and the local gas company. Facilities that have, or can add, a back-up source of fuel (such as oil or propane) should consider buying interruptible gas. In the Northwest, gas interruptions have been rare. However, if you are on an interruptible rate, are notified of a curtailment, and you can’t comply because your back-up systems are not working, you will pay a penalty as specified in the rate schedule.
Fuel Oil
Fuel oil is typically sold in gallons. The two most common types of oil sold are No. 2, or diesel, which is a light oil; and No. 6, or bunker C, which is a heavy residual oil. The bunker C oil typically requires a heater to keep the viscosity low in the storage tank. Boilers that use the heavy oil usually have a second heater (electric) at the burner to further heat the oil before combustion. Because oil is sold by individual dealers, the price can vary. Usually, the larger the volume purchased, the lower the price per gallon. For customers with large tanks (more than 10,000 gallons) the price reduction can be significant.
If you have a large oil-heated facility (greater than 40,000 square feet), it may be worthwhile to purchase oil on a contract that is put out for bid. Establishing a contract based on low bid will provide the best price as well as a price guarantee. Be sure to specify the type of oil needed. Low sulfur oil is best, but it is more expensive. Also check the reliability of the bidders. There may be other options available to get a good price for oil. It may be available to your organization through your state procurement office. In Washington State, the Office of State Procurement contracts with suppliers to get a good price for state facilities and other public entities. To track oil consumption, have a facility operator or maintenance worker check the level of the tank daily or at least weekly, at about the same time, and record the level. This will allow you to profile consumption and make it easy to recognize problems that may occur.
Propane
Propane or low pressure gas (LPG) is sold by the gallon, and the tanks are always above ground. You can lease or buy the tanks—prices vary depending on size and other factors. Purchase options may be available to your organization through your state procurement office. In Washington State, the Office of State Procurement contracts with suppliers to get a good price for state facilities and other public entities.
Water and Sewer
Water is typically sold by the local municipality. It can be sold in several different units: hundreds of gallons, thousands of gallons, hundreds of cubic feet, and acre feet are the most common. Although water is usually relatively inexpensive, local or seasonal water issues may impact the cost of your water. Penalties can also be incurred if you don’t abide by restrictions during critical water periods.
If your facilities are connected to a municipal wastewater system, sewer charges are usually based on the water consumption read from the meter. The reason for this is that water used at your facilities will end up in the sewer. Sewer rates can vary greatly depending on the type of wastewater treatment provided. Some sewer rates are more than four times higher than the water charge.
Water uses that bypass the sewer are:
- Irrigation
- Most cooling tower make-up water*
- Most boiler water make-up
- Condenser water that empties to a storm drain not connected to the sewage treatment plant
*Make-up water: Water added to the system due to leaks, evaporation, blow-down or consumption (e.g., humidifiers).
For these uses, a separate meter or a sub-meter may be appropriate. Negotiate with your water provider to establish an agreement that allows for water that does not go to the sewer. A sub-metered water volume could be subtracted from the main meter reading to give a corrected volume for sewer charges. If this kind of disparity has been going on for some time (i.e., sewer charges on irrigation water), you may be able to negotiate a refund. Resources:
- Guidelines for Grounds (.doc file) (suggestions for grounds staff)
- Audit Report Format (.doc file)
Garbage
Garbage service charges can be significant. Garbage service can be provided by public or private entities. For commercial-sized facilities, dumpsters are usually provided, and the charge is based on the volume of the dumpster used and the number of times it is emptied per week. The unit of measurement is usually cubic yards. Resources:
- Waste Characterization Guide (.doc file)
- Sample Walk-Through Waste Reduction Assessment (from King County Green Schools Program)
Compacting
You may get a price reduction for a smaller dumpster if you are compacting and the facility remains on the same pick-up schedule. Note that garbage may be charged on a weight basis as well. You will want to check with your refuse hauler before you consider using a trash compactor as a way to reduce the volume and costs. A compactor will only reduce the volume, but you could realize some saving for fewer pick-ups.
Recycling
Many garbage service providers also provide free recycling pick-up. Separation of recyclable materials coupled with a reduction in the dumpster size or pick-up schedule can lead to substantial savings.