Electric bill terms: E

Early termination fee Suppliers and the electricity market

A fee that a supplier charges when you end a fixed-rate contract before its end date.

Also called: cancellation fee, ETF.

See also: Fixed-rate plan.

Earnings sharing mechanism Riders and adjustments

A rule that returns part of the profit to customers when the utility earns more than the allowed return.

On this site: Duke Energy Progress RES.

See also: Return on equity (ROE).

Economic development rider Riders and adjustments

A tariff that gives a lower rate to large new businesses. Other customers can pay part of the cost through a charge.

Also called: economic development charge.

On this site: AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) RS, The Illuminating Company (Cleveland Electric) RS, Ohio Edison RS, Toledo Edison RS.

See also: Rider.

Effective date Rate structures

The date when a rate starts. Tariffs use different rules: service on and after a date, bills rendered on and after a date, or a billing month.

See also: Tariff.

EIA Regulators and the industry

The US Energy Information Administration. It publishes electricity prices and utility data, for example form EIA-861. This site uses EIA-861 for the ZIP code finder.

Also called: Energy Information Administration, EIA-861.

Electric bill Your bill and account

The statement that your utility sends for each billing period. It shows the kWh that you used, each charge, the taxes and the amount due.

Also called: electricity bill, utility bill.

See also: Billing period, Amount due.

Electric cooperative Regulators and the industry

A utility that its members own, often in rural areas. The members elect a board, and the board usually sets the rates. In some states, the state commission also approves them.

Also called: co-op, electric co-op, rural electric cooperative.

See also: Public power.

Electric heat rate Rate structures

A rate for homes where electricity is the main heat source. It often has lower winter prices or a larger baseline.

Also called: space heating rate, all-electric rate.

See also: Baseline allowance.

Electric meter Meters and usage

The device that measures the kWh that you use. The utility owns it.

Also called: meter.

See also: Smart meter.

Electric vehicle program charge Riders and adjustments

A charge that pays for utility programs for electric vehicles, for example charging stations and make-ready work.

Also called: EV make-ready surcharge, transportation electrification charge.

On this site: Con Edison SC 1 Rate I, Eversource (Massachusetts) R-1, National Grid (Massachusetts) R-1, Portland General Electric 7, Rocky Mountain Power 1, Xcel Energy (Colorado) RE-TOU.

See also: Electric vehicle rate.

Electric vehicle rate Rate structures

A rate plan with low prices at night for homes that charge an electric vehicle.

Also called: EV rate, EV time-of-use rate.

See also: Super off-peak.

Electricity facts label (EFL) Suppliers and the electricity market

In Texas, a standard document for each plan that shows the price at 500, 1,000 and 2,000 kWh and the plan terms.

Also called: EFL.

See also: Retail electric provider (REP).

Energy assistance program Programs and discounts

State and utility programs that help pay energy bills, for example winter crisis help.

See also: LIHEAP.

Energy audit Programs and discounts

A check of a home to find ways to save energy. Many utilities offer free or low-cost audits.

Also called: home energy assessment.

See also: Weatherization.

Energy broker Suppliers and the electricity market

A company that compares supplier offers for a customer. Brokers usually get a fee from the supplier.

See also: Supplier.

Energy charge Charges on the bill

The charge for each kWh that you use. Some bills show one energy charge. Others split it into delivery and supply.

Also called: usage charge, consumption charge, kilowatt-hour charge.

On this site: Alabama Power FD, Alliant Energy (Interstate Power and Light) 400, Alliant Energy (Wisconsin Power and Light) Rg-1, Ameren Missouri 1(M) EMS, APS (Arizona Public Service) R-1, APS (Arizona Public Service) R-3 and 65 more.

See also: Kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Energy efficiency charge Riders and adjustments

A charge that pays for the energy efficiency programs of the utility, for example rebates and home energy audits.

Also called: energy efficiency surcharge, conservation charge.

On this site: Atlantic City Electric RS, AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) RS, Alliant Energy (Interstate Power and Light) 400, Ameren Illinois DS-1, Ameren Missouri 1(M) EMS, Appalachian Power (Virginia) R.S. and 43 more.

See also: Demand side management (DSM).

Energy storage charge Riders and adjustments

A charge for battery projects of the utility or the state.

On this site: Ameren Illinois DS-1, Portland General Electric 7.

EnergyGuide label Meters and usage

The yellow label on many appliances. It shows the estimated yearly kWh and cost. The appliance cost tool on this site can use it.

Also called: Energy Guide label.

See also: Kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Environmental cost recovery Riders and adjustments

A charge that recovers the cost of environmental rules, for example pollution controls at power plants.

Also called: environmental compliance cost recovery, ECRC, ECCR.

On this site: Ameren Illinois DS-1, Appalachian Power (Virginia) R.S., ComEd Rate BES / Rate RDS, Delmarva Power R, Dominion Energy Virginia 1, Duke Energy Florida RS-1 and 14 more.

See also: Rider.

ERCOT Suppliers and the electricity market

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas. It runs the grid for most of Texas.

See also: Regional transmission organization (RTO).

Estimated bill Your bill and account

A bill that uses an estimate of your kWh because the utility did not read the meter. A later bill corrects the difference.

Also called: estimated reading, estimated meter reading.

See also: Actual reading.

Excise tax Taxes and fees

A tax for each kWh. For example, Illinois has an electricity excise tax.

Also called: kWh tax.

On this site: AEP Ohio (Ohio Power) RS, AES Ohio RS, Ameren Illinois DS-1, The Illuminating Company (Cleveland Electric) RS, Ohio Edison RS, Toledo Edison RS.

See also: Gross receipts tax.

Export credit Solar and net metering

The credit for each kWh that solar panels send to the grid. Its value depends on the state rule.

Also called: solar buyback rate, buyback rate.

See also: Net billing.

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