Billing Glossary 

Account Number

The company’s account number with Xcel Energy. Please refer to this number when requesting information about your account or when making any payments.

Actual Maximum Demand

The greatest 15 minute average kilowatt (kW) demand that occurred during the billing period.  To calculate, take the demand reading on the electric meter times the Multiplier = Actual Maximum Demand.

Adjusted Maximum Demand

Power factor is a measure of how effectively a customer uses magnetic (vs. electric) current.  When the average power factor is less than 90% the adjusted demand will be determined by multiplying the actual demand (highest kW usage in a 15 minute period) by 90% and dividing the product by the average power factor (expressed in percent). Calculated in this manner, the first 10% of Power Factor inefficiency is allowed at no charge, but customers with lower Power Factor efficiency pay extra.  Since utilities must build and operate additional equipment to maintain magnetic current, customers that have a low power factor are charged accordingly. 

Automatic Protective Lighting Service

This optional service is available to customers desiring nighttime security lighting.

Averages for Billing Period

Compares usage and average daily temperature for same billing period of the previous year.

Balance As Of (date)

Total dollar amount due from any unpaid balances from previous billing periods.

Base Cost of Gas

A charge that reflects the estimated cost of natural gas purchased from wholesale suppliers and delivered to Xcel Energy via interstate pipelines.

Basic Service Charge (Customer Charge)

Fixed charge that covers some of the cost of bringing service to you, such as reading your meter and taking care of the electric lines and gas lines.

Billable Demand

Billable Demand displays the demand used for the bill calculation.  Billable Demand may be different from Actual or Adjusted Demand if you are subject to a Demand Ratchet.  Ratchets are calculated as follows:  In no month shall the billable demand be less than the current month’s adjusted demand in kW or 50% of the greatest monthly-adjusted demand in kW during the preceding 11 months.  However, in no month shall the billing demand be greater than the value in kW determined by dividing the kWh sales for the billing month by 75 hours per month.

CCF

100 Cubic Feet.  A common measurement of natural gas.  Gas meters measure volume in CCF’s.  When gas has a heat content of 100,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), 1 CCF equals 1 Therm.

City Fees

In some cities Xcel Energy is required to collect a fee on behalf of the city.  The fee is applied and shown separately on your monthly bill.  Xcel Energy pays it directly to the city and makes no profit from this fee.

City Requested Facilities Surcharge

In some cities work performed at the request of the city for non-standard construction is not covered by the electric tariff.  The MPUC allows Xcel Energy to recover these costs from the electric customers in that city.

City Tax

The charges for energy use, resource adjustment and city fees are subject to city and state sales taxes, where applicable.

Commercial Electric Service

The price for the service as approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. This rate is available to any non-residential customer.

Company Reading (date)

The date of the meter reading.

Controlled Air Conditioning Credit

Your incentive for participating in Xcel Energy’s Saver’s Switch program, if applicable.  Learn more about how your business can save $5 per cooling ton per month on your summer electricity bills by participating in our Saver’s Switch program.

Cost of Gas

This equals the amount of gas (in Therms) you used multiplied by the current cost of gas.  This charge reflects the cost Xcel Energy pays its suppliers for gas.  The charge is passed through without markup and changes monthly.

Demand Charge

The greatest 15 minute average kilowatt (kW) demand that occurred during the billing period multiplied by Xcel Energy’s current prices.  Utilities must maintain sufficient generation and distribution capabilities to meet customers’ Maximum Demand requirements, and charge customers accordingly.  The Demand Charge is adjusted seasonally to reflect the varying cost of purchasing power. 

Difference

The difference from Company reading used for this billing cycle and Company reading used for previous billing cycle.

Distribution Charge

This equals the amount of gas (in Therms) you used multiplied by Xcel Energy’s current gas prices.  This charge covers only the delivery cost of natural gas to your business through our distribution system.  This charge cannot be changed without approval from the Public Utilities Commission.  It does not include charges for the natural gas itself.

Due Date

Date by which we must receive payment in order for your account to stay current.  Please allow sufficient time for mailing and processing.  Please note that your account is overdue if payment is not received by this date and a late payment charge will be applied. 

Electric/Gas Charge Usage Period: (date range)

Dates for which current charges are displayed.

Energy Charge

This equals the amount of electricity (kWh) you used multiplied by Xcel Energy’s current prices.

Environmental Information

Fuels used to generate electricity have different costs, reliability and air emissions. For more information, please contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999 or online at www.xcelenergy.com.  You can also contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce at 1-800-657-3710 or www.commerce.state.mn.us; the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at 651-297-1739 or http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/electricity.html .

Estimate

The estimate of your usage based on previous meter readings.  This is used in the event that we are unable to read your meter due to unusual circumstances

Fuel Clause Adjustment

An adjustment to your bill based on the fluctuating cost of fuel for electric power generation.  Xcel Energy makes no profit from these adjustments. 

General Service

Electric rate for business customers when the billable demand is greater than 25kw.  This rate is optional for customers with a billable demand less than 25 kW.

Heat Content Adjustment

Natural gas has varied heating values.  The gas we delivered this month might make more or less heat than average.  The higher the heat content, the less gas you need for the same effect.  We adjust the volume of gas to reflect its heat content.  The adjustment used to convert the measured quantity of natural gas (CCFs) to the heat value of the gas (Therms).

Interruptible Service

Rate available under contract to commercial and industrial customers who meet the contract requirements and agree to curtailment conditions.  

Invoice Number

Represents Xcel Energy invoicing for one service (i.e. gas or electric) for a particular billing period.

kVAr

This is known as the 'reactive power' and is the power that is essential to create the magnetic field in, for example, motors and welding equipment.  This is the magnetizing current that carries no “energy” with it, but is needed to make the equipment operate.  The kVar is used in calculating power factor.

kW

A kilowatt is a measure of electrical demand equal to 1000 watts.  Power is the rate at which we use electric energy.  Power is often referred to as “demand” and is measured in kilowatts (kW).

kWh

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy or work equal to one kilowatt for one hour. It is a measure of energy consumption and is the normal unit used for metering and billing electricity customers. A kilowatt-hour is the average demand (kilowatt) over the metered hour.

Large Commercial Firm Service

Gas rate available to any firm commercial or industrial customer with peak daily demand requirements of less than 500 Therms and annual usage of 6000 Therms or more for general use of natural gas service.
Late Payment Charge- Xcel Energy will assess a late payment charge on unpaid amounts.  Any unpaid balance over $10.00 is subject to a 1.5% late payment charge or $1.00; whichever is greater, after the due date.

Meter Multiplier

The multiplier is a fixed value and specific to the design of a given metering system.  The multiplier is used to calculate exact electric usage.

Meter Number

The serial number of the meter.  On an electric meter this number is located on the face of the meter.  On a gas meter this number is located on the face-plate of the meter. 

Meter Reading Information

This section includes the serial number of the specific electric and/or gas meter, the Company Reading used for the previous billing cycle and the current Company Reading used for the current billing cycle. The actual meter reading indicates the end dial positions on your meter(s) used to calculate actual energy usage.  The number is entered into our system either manually or by using an upload file from a hand-held or electronic meter reading device. The total number of days in the billing cycle and total consumption in kWh (electric) or CCF (gas) is also displayed.

Payment Received As of (a date)

This reflects the dollar amount of payments received for your account through the date displayed.

Pipeline Refund Credit

This one-time credit on Minnesota natural gas bill statements is the result of refunds combined from two sources: 1) natural gas transmission service companies and 2) non-paid out 2004 employee incentive compensation (a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission rule states that when Xcel Energy awards lower-than-expected employee incentive compensation in any year, funds not paid out must be credited to customer accounts). 

• About 450,000 Minnesota natural gas customers are receiving the one-time credit.
• The total refund amount is about $12.2 million, most of which comes from the transmission service company portion of the combined refund.
• This credit will appear between November 3 and December 2, 2005 on the bills of Minnesota natural gas customers with accounts that are active as of October 22, 2005.

Please Pay

This is the total amount due for your account.  The total may include: gas and/or electric service plus any additional products and services you subscribe to for which you may incur a charge. Please read through your bill for a complete explanation of charges.

Power Factor

Power Factor is a measure of how effectively electric current and voltage is converted into useful energy and is shown as a percentage.  Power factor is calculated from the kWh and kVar usage that occurred during the billing period. . Power Factor of greater than 90% is desired.  Facilities with Power Factor less than 90% may face additional charges as they lower overall system efficiency. 

Pressure Correction Adjustment

Gas meters measure the volume of gas (CCF).   Your facility may be supplied natural gas at an elevated pressure (i.e. 2 psig or higher).  Since natural gas is compressible, as pressure increases the amount of Btu’s within that volume also increases.  Therefore, an adjustment factor must be applied to the meter reading to accurately bill the amount of gas used.

Previous Balance

This reflects the balance on your account before the current charges are applied.

Processing Charge

The charge to a customer to establish service in their name or the charge in install an additional meter in their name.

Purchased Gas Adjustment (MN)

Adjustment to the Base Cost of Gas that reflects the actual cost of natural gas purchased from wholesale suppliers and delivered to Xcel Energy via pipelines. The adjustment typically changes monthly due to conditions in the wholesale gas market and is included as part of the Minnesota Gas Resource Adjustment.

Ratcheted Demand

Utilities must maintain sufficient generation and distribution capabilities to meet customers’ Maximum Demand requirements.  This financial burden is considerable, and exists throughout the year (though an individual facility may only reach Maximum Demand levels occasionally).  Accordingly, Demand Ratchets are used to calculate minimum Demand charges throughout the year to customers with highly variable Maximum Demand.

Resource Adjustment (electric)

This is the sum of a fuel clause adjustment (an adjustment to your bill to reflect changes in the cost for generating electric power for which Xcel Energy makes no profit) and a surcharge for conservation and renewable development costs, as well as costs associated with the Reliability Administrator / Sustainable Building Guidelines as defined by Minnesota state legislation.   The fuel portion goes up or down each month based on the price of fuel for making electricity and the amount of electricity you used.  The conservation portion is a set percentage of your bill approved by the state regulators to pay for Xcel Energy programs that help customers use energy efficiently.

Resources Adjustment (gas)

This is a surcharge for conservation costs and Sustainable Building Guidelines as defined by Minnesota state legislation.  The surcharge is a set price per Therm on your bill approved by state regulators to pay for Xcel Energy programs that use energy efficiently.

Reactive  (Reactive Power)

Reactive Power provides the magnetic field required to operate certain inductive devices such as electric motors, magnetic lighting ballasts and welding equipment.  Reactive power is measured in kilovars (kVar).

Registered Demand

The figure read directly from the meter. Same as Actual Maximum Demand.

Small Commercial Firm Service

Gas rate available to any firm commercial or industrial customer with peak daily demand requirements of less than 500 Therms and annual usage less than 6000 Therms for general use of natural gas service.

Small General Service

Electric rate for business customers when the billable demand is less than 25kw or when demand is not measured.

State Tax

The charges for energy use, resource adjustment and city fees are subject to city and state sales taxes, where applicable.

Statement Number

This number identifies all the invoice numbers for each of your services, gas and/or electric service, for an individual statement.

Subtotal

This dollar amount reflects the total charges for the specific service (gas or electric), due for the current usage period, excluding any city and state taxes or fees.  

Therm

A measure of the heat, or energy content of natural gas.  One Therm equals 100,000 British Thermal Units (Btu).  We use this term to note that the gas amount you used reflects heat content.

Total

Total dollar amount due to Xcel Energy at this time for all your services. This includes any balances still owed at time of billing (“Balance As of ”) plus any new charges for this billing cycle (“Commercial Electric/Gas Service”).

Total Amount

This dollar amount reflects the total charges for the specific service (gas or electric), due for the current usage period, plus any city and state taxes or fees.   Any past due amounts would be added to this figure and reflected as the overall “Total” (see above).