SEC has a new bill design!
Terms Used in Your Bill
Actual Meter Reading
A reading by Cooperative personnel or automated meter reading device.
Budget Billing
A fixed or variable amount to be paid each month by the individual member is determined based on the previous yearβs electric usage. Any previous balances (debit or credit) will be included in this calculation to βtrue upβ the account. The account(s) are then reviewed during the budget year and could be revised every 6 months to reflect changing weather patterns or other factors that might affect actual change.
Consumption Tax
State and local taxes on the energy consumption by customers.
Discontinuance of Electric Service
Bills for electric service are due when presented. Amounts unpaid beyond the due date on the bill are considered past due and may be reflected on your next bill. Amounts shown past due not paid as noted on your bill will be cause for disconnection of service. No cash will be collected in the field.
Reconnection of service will be done after all billing arrears, fees and deposits have been satisfied. If a final bill has been issued, then the Member must pay all charges to date and/or arrange for applicable security deposit before service will be restored. No reconnection will be performed after 9:00 p.m.
Estimated Meter Reading
When we are unable to obtain an actual reading, we estimate your usage. Any difference between what we estimated and your actual usage will be corrected the next time we read your meter.
Delivery Charge
The monthly basic distribution charge to cover costs of having facilities available, such as meter reading, equipment, maintenance, and billing.
Demand Charge (kW)
Based on the highest level of electricity consumed at any one time during the billing period. For residential accounts, itβs based on the highest hourly usage within the billing period. See our Demand Resources FAQ for additional information.
ESS (Energy Supply Service)
This charge covers the cost associated with the generation and transmission of electricity and is a direct pass-through from our wholesale supplier.
Distribution Energy Charge
This covers the cost of transporting electricity through the SEC network directly to your home.
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
The basic unit of measure for the electricity you use. One kWh is the amount of energy you would use to light a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours. Members are usually charged for electricity in cents per kilowatt-hour.
Levelized Billing
Levelized Billing makes your electric bills more predictable and prevents drastic changes in your bill, even during the coldest or hottest months of the year. When you take advantage of Levelized Billing, you are simply charged an average of your past 12 monthsβ electric usage. Each month, your latest meter reading is averaged with your past 11 monthsβ usage.
Youβll still see your actual usage on your bill each month so you can track what youβre using.
To qualify for levelized billing, you must:
- Have at least 12 months of billing as a residential SEC member
- Have a zero balance on your account
Meter Reading Schedule
We make every effort to read your meter monthly. If for some reason we cannot read your meter, we will send you an estimated bill.
Multiplier
If this is on your bill, we must multiply the electric use recorded on your meter by the number shown. This gives us the total kilowatt-hours (and kilowatts, if applicable) you used for this billing period.
Power Cost Adjustment
A charge or credit reflecting an increase or decrease in Southsideβs cost of power at wholesale.
Rate Information
View our Rates & Fees section for details.
Service Fees
Charges associated with connecting and disconnecting your service, collections, meter testing, and other administrative fees.