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.

Air Quality Improvement (AQIR)

All customers, with the exception of those customers who voluntarily participate in Windsource®, are subject to the Air Quality Improvement Rider, as approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

The AQIR is designed to recover costs associated with air quality improvements (emissions reductions) at three Denver/Boulder power plants. Xcel Energy completed these projects to reduce emissions voluntarily. The rider became effective January 1, 2003, and will be in effect for 15 years. Because the AQIR is for costs to improve our fossil fuels plants, Windsource customers receive an AQIR credit for their wind purchase. If they receive all of their electricity from wind, they receive a credit for the entire AQIR.

The AQIR is calculated by multiplying the AQIR factor by the amount of kilowatt-hours you used. The AQIR fluctuates on an annual basis.

Amount Due

This is the total amount due for your account at time of billing. 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.

Balance Forward

This reflects the dollar amount still owed to Xcel Energy from previous billing statements if they were not paid in full.

Billed Demand

For applicable customers, the amount of the Measured Demand subject to a charge.  If you have a Multiplier, Measured Demand x Multiplier generally equals Billed Demand.  If you have no Multiplier, Measured Demand rounded to the nearest whole kW equals Billed Demand.

For certain large (over 500 kW) commercial customers, Billed Demand may be greater than Measured Demand x Multiplier as a result of certain minimum Billed Demand charges called Ratchets.  Ratchets are used by utilities to offset the increased costs of maintaining sufficient generation and distribution capacity throughout the year, despite the fact that a given customer may only require peak Demand for only one or two months in a year.  Ratchets are calculated at 75% of the maximum Measured Demand in the most recent 12-month period.

C- Commercial Service

Electric rate for small commercial customers. This is the rate charged if your company consistently uses less than 25 kilowatts (kW) of power at its highest usage point during the month.  Your charges with this rate are based solely on how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) you use each month.  To qualify for this rate, your highest 15 minutes of usage per billing period must be below 25 kW. The single line item on the bill combines two types of charges:  1) the base rate energy charge, which is multiplied by your kilowatt-hours used, and 2) the base rate service and facility charge, which is a fixed charge for metering and billing.

CG-T Commercial

Gas rate applicable to all commercial and industrial customers for sales of gas service. This is the rate charged if your company used less than 800 MCF (thousands of cubic feet) of natural gas per year. Your charges with this rate are determined each billing period by calculating the amount of natural gas you used (in therms) and then multiplying by the CG rate. This rate is approved by the CPUC.

Comparison Information

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

Current Balance

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 Forward”) plus any new charges for this billing cycle (“+Current Bill”).

Current Bill

Total dollar amount due for any services this billing period.

Current Reading

The end dial positions on your meter(s) used to calculate actual energy usage for the billing period. 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 date indicates when the usage reading was uploaded to our billing system. Please note that the upload date is typically a day or two after the actual reading is taken. 

Customer Messages

Important information listed about your Xcel Energy account, services, or statement.

Customer Name

The name on your Xcel Energy account and the person or legal entity considered responsible for payment of the bill.

Date of Bill

The date that your bill was prepared.

Demand

For applicable customers, Billed Demand (in kW) x price (in $) per kW.  While different rate types price Demand differently, the most common customer rate types bill Demand at a rate of $12.55 or $12.80 per kW.  See the Colorado electric rate book elsewhere on this website for detailed information on the applicable prices for a specific tariff.

Demand Side Management Adjustment (DSMCA)

The DSMCA represents funds collected to support electric demand reduction projects in Colorado.  By reducing demand these customers help delay the need and cost for new power plants.  The DSMCA funds are provided as rebates to Xcel Energy customers who complete pre-approved demand side management projects. For residential (schedule R) and commercial (schedule C) customers the DSMCA cost is equal to a cost per killowatt hour (kWh) multiplied by your kWh usage.

Distribution System

The component of your gas rate that reflects our recovery of the cost of building, operating and maintaining the system of pipes, compressors and storage facilities we constructed to deliver the natural gas to the gas main that runs down your street.

Due Date

Date by which we must receive payment in order for your account to stay current.  Please note that your account is overdue if payment is not received by this date and will incur late charges

Electric Commodity Adjustment (ECA)

The Electric Commodity Adjustment (ECA) became effective on January 1, 2004.  The ECA recovers ongoing costs associated with purchased energy and generation fuel.  All rate schedules are subject to the ECA.  Because the ECA is for costs associated with fossil fuel plants, Windsource® customers receive an ECA credit for their wind purchase.  If they receive all of their electricity from wind, they receive a credit for the entire ECA. 

Franchise Fee

Xcel Energy has franchise agreements with some of the cities and towns where we provide natural gas and/or electricity service. These agreements give us rights to use the municipality’s alleys, streets and rights-of-way so we can, for example, run power lines along city property. As part of some of the franchise agreements, Xcel Energy collects a fee from our customers and pays that money to the cities and towns.  The franchise fee is not a tax but a portion of the cost to operate a utility. The franchise fee is a separate line on your bill and is based on a percentage of your gas and electricity bills.

General Rate Schedule Adjustments (GRSA)

The General Rate Schedule Adjustments (GRSA) is a general category for riders that affect customers’ electric base rates either up or down as approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Since the change to the GRSA is effective July 2nd you will have the GRSA charge for the portion of your bill through July 1st.

Incentive Cost Adjustment (ICA)

The Incentive Cost Adjustment (ICA) is to recover costs that were incurred during 2002 and were associated with purchased energy and fuel, mainly coal and natural gas, for generating electricity at Xcel Energy facilities. To keep rates low, these costs are being recovered over a three-year period. The ICA expired April, 2005 and are no longer included in your bill.

Interstate Pipeline

A cost Xcel Energy pays to interstate (upstream) pipeline and storage facility operators to deliver gas into the company’s natural gas system. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates these upstream services and the rates charged to the company; these costs are passed on to customers on a dollar for dollar basis with no markup.   The rate per Therm is changed monthly to reflect the company’s costs and applied to your usage.  If your bill covers two calendar months, your usage is split into two parts based on actual outside air temperatures and applied to each month’s rate.

Invoice Number

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

Kilowatt-Hours Used

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy or work equal to one kilowatt for one hour. One thousand watts on for one hour is equal to one kWh. It is a measure of energy consumption and is the normal unit used for metering and billing electricity customers. To calculate: Current Reading minus Previous Reading x Multiplier = Kilowatt-Hours Used.

Measured Demand

The maximum rate at which your facility consumed electricity in any 15-minute period since your last meter reading.  Demand is measured and expressed in Kilowatts (kW).  Utilities must maintain sufficient generation and distribution capacity to meet customers’ maximum Measured Demand requirements, and charge customers accordingly.  Commercial customers with less than 25 kW are not subject to a Demand charge and will not see Demand-related billing components or charges on their bills.

Measured Usage (electric)

The actual electricity usage, or kilowatts, measured by your electric meter in a billing period.  If you have no Multiplier, Measured Usage will not appear on your bill.

Measured Usage (natural gas)

The actual gas usage by volume as measured by your gas meter (in thousands of cubic feet). For billing purposes, this volume is then multiplied by the Therm Multiplier to determine the units of energy consumed.

Metering and Billing Charge

Recovers the cost of providing your gas meter and the gas line that extends to your business from the gas main that runs down the street. The charge also covers the cost of meter reading and billing.

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.

Miscellaneous Charges – Account Summary

Items for which you are billed that do not necessarily relate to a specific energy service.  For instance, this is where Late Charges appear. 

Multiplier

The Multiplier is a fixed value and specific to the design of a given meter.  It is used to calculate exact electricity usage and varies according to building design and the total electric requirements of the facility.  Xcel Energy multiplies the Multiplier and the Measured Demand to determine the Billed Demand. 

Natural Gas

The cost of the natural gas itself.  Xcel Energy’s costs are determined by supply and demand in the unregulated market for natural gas.  These costs, like the Interstate Pipeline costs, are passed on to customers on a dollar for dollar basis with no markup.   Xcel Energy does not earn a profit from the cost of natural gas.  The rate per Therm is changed monthly to reflect the company’s costs and applied to your usage.  If your bill covers two calendar months, your usage is split into two parts based on actual outside air temperatures and applied to each month’s rate.

Non-Metered Service

At times, your business may be charged for your share of the cost of supplying natural gas or electricity to lights and/or equipment that are not attached to a meter.  Some examples include: streetlights in unincorporated areas, traffic lights, and area lights (lights you have requested).

Number of Days in Billing Period

Number of days of service for which you are being billed.

Number of Payments Received

Number of payments that we received for your account since the previous billing period.

Premise Number

This number uniquely identifies each service location in Xcel Energy’s service territory.  The premise number remains constant when the customer responsible for payment of a particular service location’s bill changes.

Previous Balance

This reflects the dollar amount that was due on your previous bill.

Previous Reading

The start dial position(s) on your meter(s) used to calculate actual energy usage for the billing period. 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 date tells you when the usage reading was uploaded into our billing system.

Primary General Service (Schedule PG)

Base electric rate for larger commercial and industrial customers who choose electric service at a higher primary voltage and accept responsibility for furnishing, installing, operating, and maintaining step-down transformer equipment.  On this rate, the energy charge component per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is slightly less than that charged under the Secondary General (SG) rate; and the demand charge component per kilowatt (kW) is slightly higher than that charged under the SG rate. The monthly service and facility charge for Schedule PG is also higher than the SG rate. The Primary General rate combines two types of charges: 1) the base rate energy charge, which is multiplied by your kilowatt-hours used, and 2) the base rate service and facility charge, which is a fixed charge for metering and billing.

Purchased Capacity Cost Adjustment (PCCA)

The PCCA is the cost to purchase generation capacity from other suppliers beyond the purchased capacity already included in the general base electric rates. Having the right amount of generation capacity means ensuring there is enough electric generation to meet customer needs.  For residential (schedule R) and commercial (schedule C) customers the PCCA cost is equal to a cost per killowatt hour (kWh) multiplied by your kWh usage.

Rate

The price for the service as approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. 

Sales Tax

Your total sales tax may include state, city, county and other required taxes.

Service Address

Address for which Xcel Energy is billing you.  For customers whose accounts have more than one service address, or premise, the term “Summary Page” appears here to indicate that the page is a summary of the charges at multiple premises.  Summary pages are followed by individual premise-detail pages.

SG – Secondary General

Base electric rate for small to medium-sized commercial customers. This is the rate charged if your company has used 25 kilowatts of power, or more, at its highest usage point during any month over the past 12 months.  Your charge per kWh is less than that charged under the Commercial rate and you pay an additional charge for the highest 15 minutes of demand during the month. This line on your bill combines two types of charges:  1) the base rate energy charge, which is multiplied by your kilowatt-hours used, and 2) the base rate service and facility charge, which is a fixed charge for metering and billing.

Statement Number

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

TF – Transportation Firm

Rate applicable to all commercial and industrial customers for transportation gas service.

Therm Multiplier

Gas usage is defined in Therms, a measure of the heat, or energy content of natural gas in a billing period.  One Therm equals 100,000 British Thermal Units (Btu).  The energy content of gas changes depending on its source, the altitude and the temperature at which it is delivered.   After your meter measures your usage by volume (in hundreds of cubic feet, or thousands in specialized cases, and appearing on your bill as “Measured Usage”), this volume is multiplied by the Therm Multiplier to determine the units of energy consumed.

Therms Used

The number of therms you used during this billing period.  Therms are a measure of the heat content of natural gas equal to 100,000 British Thermal Units.

Total Amount of Payments

This reflects the dollar amount we have received since your last billing statement.