Understanding Electric Bill.pdf

Russ Jones 2217
Update
A weekly news summary for reporters and editors
about Idaho Power and related subjects.
Produced by the Idaho Power Corporate Communication Department
There are a number of reasons your
bill may be different this year, including
colder weather causing higher usage, an
increase in general base rates, power and
fixed cost adjustments and the energy
efficiency rider. We also have for the first
time a tiered-rate structure, similar to
that of the summer months, in effect dur-
ing the winter.
Monthly energy use is now billed
year-round in three usage tiers: 0 – 800
kilowatt-hours (kWh), 801 – 2,000 kWh,
and more than 2,000 kWh. Usage in the
highest tier is charged the highest rate.
Therefore, any kilowatt-hours you con-
serve present the biggest opportunity to
save on your monthly bill.
Tiered rates are designed to promote
energy efficiency, and they help custom-
ers be aware of opportunities to manage
their personal usage and monthly bill.
Understanding the other charges on
your electric bill is important. As you
have probably seen, there are several line
items other than your energy charge that
add to your total bill.
Service Charge: This is a fixed monthly
charge recovering many of the costs
which do not vary with a change in en-
ergy consumption, like generation plants,
transmission and distribution lines and
customer meters.
Here are five no-cost ways to cut your
energy use right now and save on
your bill:
1. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees
when you are at home (health
permitting) and even lower at
night and when you are away.
2. Lower your water heater
temperature to 120 degrees (only
if your dishwasher is early 1990s
or newer).
3. Wash full loads of laundry.
4. Turn off lights when not in use.
5. Open your curtains and blinds
during the day to let the sun heat
your home.

Visit www.idahopower.com/
energyefficiency for more energy-
and money-saving programs, tips
and tools that are right for you and
your home.
Understanding Your Electric Bill How Can I
Lower My Bill?
For more information contact:
Stephanie McCurdy 1-208-388-6973
PCA: The Power Cost Adjustment is
an annual filing that balances last year’s
forecasted power supply costs of provid-
ing energy to customers to actual expens-
es incurred. This is affected greatly by the
year-to-year changes in our hydroelectric
generating conditions and fuel prices.
FCA: The Fixed Cost Adjustment
annually adjusts rates up or down to
recover the difference between the fixed
costs authorized by the Idaho Public Util-
ities Commission and the fixed costs we
actually recover from customers through
energy sales during the previous year.
Franchise Fee: A franchise is imposed
on Idaho Power by a city to allow us to
locate electrical facilities in that city.
Many cities charge their residents this
fee, which is based on a percentage of
each customer’s Idaho Power bill. Idaho
Power collects the franchise fee and
forwards it to the city—the franchise fee
does not go to the company.
Energy Efficiency Services is a charge
that allows the company to fund its
ongoing investment in energy efficiency
programs and initiatives which help cus-
tomers save energy and money.
Feb. 8, 2010