Electric bill terms: S

Sales tax on electricity Taxes and fees

Some states and cities charge sales tax on home electricity. Others do not. The calculator on this site does not add sales tax unless you type the rate.

Also called: electricity sales tax.

See also: Utility users tax.

Season Rate structures

A part of the year with its own prices, usually summer and winter. Each tariff gives the months of each season.

Also called: seasonal rates.

See also: Summer rate, Winter rate.

Securitization charge Riders and adjustments

A charge that repays bonds that the utility sold to pay a large cost, for example storm repair or a closed power plant. The bonds usually have a lower interest rate, which can lower the total cost.

Also called: securitization, rate reduction bond charge.

On this site: Atlantic City Electric RS, Ameren Missouri 1(M) EMS, Appalachian Power (Virginia) R.S., Consumers Energy RPM, Consumers Energy RSP, CoServ Electric 202.1 and 7 more.

See also: Storm recovery charge.

Security deposit Your bill and account

Money that a utility can ask for before it starts service. The utility returns it, often with interest, after a period of good payment.

Also called: deposit.

Senior citizen credit Programs and discounts

A monthly credit for households where the head of household is 65 or older. Some Michigan utilities offer it, for example Consumers Energy and DTE.

Also called: senior discount.

See also: Income qualified discount.

Service address Your bill and account

The address where the utility supplies electricity. It can be different from the mailing address on the bill.

See also: Account number.

Service charge Charges on the bill

A fixed monthly charge for service. Different utilities use the names service charge, customer charge and basic charge for the same type of charge.

Also called: monthly service charge.

On this site: The Illuminating Company (Cleveland Electric) RS, DTE Energy D1.11, DTE Energy D1.2, Idaho Power 1, Indiana Michigan Power (Indiana) R.S., Indiana Michigan Power (Michigan) RS and 10 more.

See also: Customer charge.

Service rendered Rate structures

A tariff rule where a new rate applies to the electricity that you use on or after a date. A bill that crosses the date can be split.

See also: Effective date, Prorated charge.

Smart meter Meters and usage

A digital meter that records your usage often (for example each hour) and sends the data to the utility. Most utilities need a smart meter for a time-of-use rate.

Also called: advanced metering infrastructure, AMI meter.

See also: Interval data, Smart meter opt-out fee.

Smart meter charge Charges on the bill

A charge that pays for the smart meters of the utility. Some states show it as a separate line.

Also called: smart meter technologies charge, advanced metering charge.

On this site: The Illuminating Company (Cleveland Electric) RS, Entergy Louisiana RS, El Paso Electric 01, Met-Ed RS, Ohio Edison RS, Penelec RS and 5 more.

See also: Smart meter.

Smart meter opt-out fee Charges on the bill

A monthly fee, and sometimes a one-time fee, for customers who refuse a communicating smart meter. The tariff sets the amounts.

Also called: opt-out fee, smart meter opt out.

On this site: BGE R, Delmarva Power R, Pepco R, PG&E E-1, PG&E E-ELEC, PG&E E-TOU-C and 11 more.

See also: Smart meter, Analog meter.

Smart thermostat program Programs and discounts

A program where the utility can change your thermostat a few degrees during peak events. You get a credit.

See also: Demand response.

Societal benefits charge Riders and adjustments

A New Jersey charge for public programs, for example energy assistance and clean energy.

Also called: SBC.

On this site: Atlantic City Electric RS, JCP&L RS, PSE&G RS.

See also: System benefits charge.

Space heater Meters and usage

A portable electric heater, often 1,500 watts. One hour of use is about 1.5 kWh.

See also: Watt (W).

SREC Solar and net metering

A solar renewable energy certificate. In some states, for example New Jersey, solar owners can sell SRECs.

Also called: solar renewable energy certificate.

See also: Renewable energy certificate (REC).

Standby power Units and basics

The power that an appliance uses when it is off or in standby mode. Other names are phantom load and vampire power.

See also: Watt (W).

State tax adjustment surcharge Riders and adjustments

In Pennsylvania, a surcharge or credit that adjusts rates for changes in state taxes.

Also called: STAS.

On this site: Duquesne Light RS, Met-Ed RS, PECO R, Penelec RS, Penn Power RS, PPL Electric Utilities RS.

See also: Gross receipts tax.

Storm recovery charge Riders and adjustments

A charge that pays for the repair costs of major storms, often over many years.

Also called: storm charge, hurricane charge, storm protection charge.

On this site: AES Ohio RS, Duke Energy Carolinas RS, Duke Energy Florida RS-1, Duke Energy Progress RES, Entergy Louisiana RS, Entergy Mississippi RS and 7 more.

See also: Securitization charge.

Submetering Meters and usage

Meters that a landlord installs to bill each unit for its own usage when the utility has one master meter.

Also called: submeter.

See also: Multi-unit (master-metered) service.

Summer rate Rate structures

The price that applies in the summer months. Summer prices are often higher because air conditioning increases the demand.

See also: Season.

Super off-peak Time of use

The hours with the lowest price on some time-of-use plans. On many plans these are overnight hours. In California, some plans also have super off-peak hours at midday, when solar output is high.

Also called: super off peak.

See also: Off-peak.

Supplier Suppliers and the electricity market

A company that sells electricity supply to customers in a retail choice state. Other names are third-party supplier, alternative supplier and retail electric provider.

See also: Retail choice, Price to compare (PTC).

Supply charge Charges on the bill

The charge for the electricity itself: generation and, in some states, transmission. If you buy from a supplier, the supplier's price replaces it.

Also called: electric supply charge, electricity supply charge, power supply charge.

On this site: Ameren Illinois DS-1, BGE R, The Illuminating Company (Cleveland Electric) RS, ComEd Rate BES / Rate RDS, Dominion Energy Virginia 1, Duquesne Light RS and 16 more.

See also: Generation charge, Price to compare (PTC).

System access charge Charges on the bill

The name of the fixed monthly charge on some bills, for example Consumers Energy.

On this site: Consumers Energy RPM, Consumers Energy RSP.

See also: Customer charge.

System benefits charge Riders and adjustments

A charge for public programs, for example energy efficiency, renewable energy and low-income help. New York and other states use it.

Also called: system benefits, public benefits charge, public purpose programs charge.

On this site: Central Hudson Gas & Electric SC 1, Con Edison SC 1 Rate I, Eversource (Connecticut) Rate 1, Eversource (New Hampshire) R, National Grid (Upstate NY) SC-1, NorthWestern Energy REDS-1 and 4 more.

See also: Societal benefits charge.

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