Understanding My Bill
To help you better understand your electric bill, below is an example of a typical residential bill.
Billing Charge Definitions
Customer Charge: The customer charge recovers costs associated with making service available to a customer, such as installing and maintaining meters, utility poles, power lines and equipment, as well as meter reading and Eversource's 24-hour customer service center.
Distribution Charge: This charge recovers costs related to the maintenance and operation of Eversource's distribution system, power restoration and service operations. The kWh charge is based on the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity used during a billing period. The kW charge, or "demand" charge, is based on the greatest amount of electricity used in any half-hour period during a billing period.
Energy Charge: This charge is based on the amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a customer has used during a billing period. It includes a supplier’s costs to generate and/or buy power.
Electricity Consumption Tax: This is a state-mandated tax on electricity consumption.
Stranded Cost Recovery Charge: This charge helps fund the recovery of past investment costs, including expenses incurred through mandated power contracts and other long-term investments and obligations. The kWh charge is based on the amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a customer has used during a billing period. The kW charge, or "demand" charge, is based on the greatest amount of electricity used in any half-hour period during a billing period.
System Benefits Charge: This charge funds energy efficiency programs for all customers as well as assistance programs for residential customers within certain income guidelines.
Transmission Charge: This charge recovers costs related to the delivery of electricity over the high-voltage or transmission system power lines. The kWh charge is based on the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity used during a billing period. The kW charge, or "demand" charge, is based on the greatest amount of electricity used in any half-hour period during a billing period.