Find straightforward definitions for terminology on your bill. The term "TDU" stands for Transmission and Distribution Utility and is defined below.
Account
A unique number that identifies your electric account. Your account number is defined by your service address. If you have more than one service address, you have more than one account number. If you need to contact TXU Energy, have this number ready. You will also need this number when paying your bill in person at payment locations.
Adjusted Federal Income Tax Credit for Ike Restoration (ADFIT)
TDU credit for deferred federal income tax benefits associated with Hurricane Ike restoration costs (only applicable in CenterPoint’s service territory).
Advanced Meter Charge
A charge assessed to recover a TDU's charges for Advanced Metering Systems, to the extent that they are not recovered in a TDU's standard metering charge. Acceptable abbreviation: Advanced Meter.
Average Billing Plan Balance
If you participate in the Average Billing Plan, your bill shows the Average Billing Plan Balance. This is not the amount on your bill you pay. Instead, you pay the Total Amount Due. The Average Billing Plan Balance is the accumulated difference between the cost of your actual usage and the amount you were billed. This difference will fluctuate over time as your actual usage varies from the average amount you are billed.
Balance ForwardThe amount you owe on your previous bills.
Base Charge A charge assessed during each billing cycle without regard to your demand or energy consumption.
Billed Deposit A deposit that is sometimes required when you set up new service, or if your service has been interrupted due to TXU Energy not receiving payment. It is not prepayment of your bill. You must still pay each month for the energy you use. This deposit is held until twelve consecutive months of timely payments have been made, or until the account is closed. If you transfer service with TXU Energy, the deposit is transferred and applied to the new service location. Possible waivers will vary for each customer.
Billing Address The address to which your bill is sent. This address may be different than the address that is receiving service.
Billing CycleThe start and end dates for a specific bill. Information in the Customer Summary pertains to activity within this timeframe only. These dates are approximately the same each month.
Bill DateYour meter read date. It is also the last day included in the charges on a particular bill.
Competition Transition Charge A charge assessed to recover a TDU's charges for non-securitized costs associated with the transition to competition. Acceptable abbreviation: Competition Transition.
Connection Fee A one-time fee charged by your TDU to connect electric service at an address. Normally, it is included on your first bill and is due by the Due Date specified.
Current BillAmount due for electric charges based on usage during the most recent billing period. This is only one component of the bill you pay. If you have unpaid charges from the previous billing period they will be included in the Total Amount Due. The Current Bill amount includes the Customer Charge, Energy Charge, and Sales Tax, but it excludes any applicable Late Fees, Surcharges, and any prior unpaid Balance Forward. It reflects electricity consumed in the current period.
Current Bill On Average Billing PlanAmount due for customers on the Average Billing Plan during the most recent billing period. This is only one component of the bill you pay. If you have unpaid charges from the previous billing period they will be included in the Total Amount Due. The Current Bill amount includes the Customer Charge, Energy Charge and Sales Tax, but it excludes any applicable Late Fees, Surcharges and any unpaid Balance Forward.
Current Meter ReadThe Current Meter Reading represents the current reading taken when your electric meter was read on the date indicated. The previous month's meter reading is subtracted from the current month's meter reading to determine how many kilowatt hours (kWh) of consumption you should be billed for. This reading is supplied by the TDU and is usually obtained when reading the meter. Meter readings occur approximately every 28-32 days.
Customer ChargeTDU charge for the cost of billing REPs for the electric service of their customers.
Deferred Payment Plan BalanceUnpaid balance (amount you owe from previous bills) that is billed in increments over time. Any deferred payment plan amount due is included in the Total Amount due.
Demand ChargeA charge based on the rate at which electricity energy is delivered to or by a system at a given instant, or averaged over a designated period, during the billing cycle.
Disconnect/Reconnect FeeAmount charged by your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) to disconnect and/or reconnect your service (turn off or turn power back on) at a particular location in the event of non-payment of the electric bill. This amount varies based on the type of disconnection. It cannot be waived.
Distribution Company ChargesAmount charged for services (such as running new service wires, installing a meter, conducting a voltage test, or disconnecting or reconnecting service) provided by your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU). It may also be called Discretionary Charges. The amount is determined by the TDU, not TXU Energy.
Distribution System ChargeCharge that covers the TDU costs of transporting electricity from transmission facilities over distribution lines and through transformers to a customer’s service lines.
Due Date or Payment Due DateThe date by which TXU Energy should receive your payment to avoid any associated late charges. Late charges are typically 5% of the amount you owe.
Energy ChargeA charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.
Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery FactorA charge assessed to recover a TDU's costs for energy efficiency programs, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission. Acceptable abbreviation: Energy Efficiency.
ESI ID or Electric Service IdentifierAn identifier that the industry uses to uniquely identify the home, business or guard light location.
Final BillThe last bill for service at your location. It can be mailed to any address you request. If you transfer service, the final bill amount will be seen twice. It will appear on a final bill for the old location and it will be listed as a Prior Balance on the first bill you receive at your new location.
Guard Light AmountA predetermined monthly fee for electric service to a guard light (outdoor light for security purposes). This fee is based on the wattage or size (such as 75, 100, 150, 200, or 400 watt) of your specific guard light.
Guard Light Kilowatt-Hours UsedA predetermined amount of electricity, expressed in kWh, that you are charged for your guard light in a given month.
Hurricane Cost Recovery FactorThis is a charge from your TDU to cover the cost of repairs and restoration from hurricanes.
Interest AppliedThe interest accrued on your original deposit amount at the rate approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. This amount is credited back to your account each January. In the event your deposit is returned before January, the pro-rated interest will also be applied to your bill.
kWKilowatt, the standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 watts.
kWhKilowatt-hour, the standard unit for measuring electricity energy consumption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours.
Kilowatt-hours UsedThe amount of electricity (kWh) used in a month. This is calculated by subtracting the prior month's meter reading from the current month's meter reading.
Late Payment PenaltyA charge assessed for late payment in accordance with Public Utility Commission rules.
Meter (Meter Number)The number identifying the meter at your service location. A meter is a device that measures your electricity usage.
- Actual - Usage determined by your TDU reading the meter assigned to your service address.
- Estimated - Usage determined by an estimate of your past energy use or past history of your location. For example, usage may be estimated when your meter cannot be accessed due to a locked gate.
- Adjusted - Usage determined by an actual reading in person performed after an estimated read to make sure the estimated read was accurate. This adjusted read may occur close to the time of the estimated read, or it may occur at the next month's regular meter read date.
Metering ChargeA charge assessed to recover a TDU's charges for metering a customer's consumption, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission.
Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Tax ReimbursementA fee assessed to recover the miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on retail electric providers operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000. Acceptable abbreviation: Gross Receipts Reimb.
Mult (Multiplier)For some meters, the actual amount of energy used is too large to be registered and the meter displays a fraction of the actual energy used. A multiplier is then applied to the difference between the present and previous reads to determine the customer's actual energy usage.
Nuclear Decommissioning ChargeA charge assessed to recover a TDU's charges for the dismantling and decontamination of nuclear generating sites. Acceptable abbreviation: Nuclear Decommission.
PaymentsThe total amount of funds TXU Energy has received up to the date a bill was generated.
Previous Bill or Previous ChargesThe amount owed from your previous bill. This amount includes any unpaid balance from your previous bill.
Previous Meter ReadMeter reading from the prior billing statement. This reading may be actual, estimated, or adjusted.
PUC AssessmentA fee assessed to recover the statutory fee for administering the Public Utility Regulatory Act.
RateIdentifies your account's rate plan which determines the rate you are billed.
Rate Case SurchargeTDU surcharge that reimburses the TDU for their expenses and the expenses of other interveners required to be paid by the TDU to participate in a rate case.
Sales TaxSales tax collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities and special purpose districts.
Statement DateThe date the bill was generated. Therefore, the bill covers the usage prior to that date as indicated by the current meter reading date; it does not cover the usage between the Bill Date and the date which you receive the bill.
Storm Recovery ChargeThis is a charge from your TDU to cover the cost of repairs and restoration from storms.
Storm Recovery Tax CreditA credit from your TDU for deferred federal income tax benefits associated with storm restoration costs.
System Benefit FundThis is a required TDU charge that helps fund low-income assistance, customer education, and energy efficiency programs.
System Restoration ChargeTDU charge for the recovery of costs for replacing and repairing electric facilities damaged by Hurricane Ike (CenterPoint only).
TDU (Transmission and Distribution Utility)The utility that owns or operates the equipment or facilities that transmits or distributes electricity to your location. The TDU is also responsible for reading your meter, and setting prices related to your Distribution Company Charges (if applicable).
TDU Delivery ChargesThe total amounts assessed by a TDU for the delivery of electricity to you over poles and wires and other TDU facilities, not including discretionary charges.
Transition ChargeThis is a charge from the TDU to recover costs for moving from a regulated market to a competitive market. This charge is based on actual energy use.
Transmission Cost Recovery Factor (TCRF)A charge from the TDU that covers the incremental cost of changes to the transmission system. TDUs are allowed to make changes to the TCRF twice a year on March 1st and September 1st. TCRF charges are reconciled when the TDU files for a complete rate case.
Transmission Distribution SurchargesOne or more TDU surcharge(s) on a customer's bill in any combination. Surcharges include charges billed as tariff riders by the TDU. Acceptable abbreviation: TDU Surcharges.
Transmission System ChargeTDU charge that covers the cost of transporting electricity from generators over high voltage transmission lines to distribution facilities.
Total Amount DueTotal amount that you currently owe TXU Energy. It includes any unpaid amount from your previous statement plus the Total Current Charges (Customer Charge, Energy Charge, Sales Tax, and additional charges such as Late Fees, Surcharges, and Deferred Payment Plan Balance).