Start with the billing period
Count the service days before comparing totals. A 35-day bill can look expensive beside a 28-day bill even when daily use fell. Divide total kWh by billing days to create a fair daily-use comparison.
Separate usage from price
Usage is measured in kilowatt-hours. The effective energy price is the variable electric charge divided by kWh, but delivery, riders and fuel adjustments may appear on separate lines.
- Record total kWh
- Record each per-kWh charge
- Keep fixed customer fees separate
- Mark taxes and credits as adjustments
Rebuild the bill
Multiply usage by the combined variable price, then add fixed charges, taxes and adjustments. If your reconstruction differs, look for tiered pricing, demand charges or a prior balance.
Editorial standard
This guide explains general billing math. Utility tariffs and local rules control your actual charges. Sources and update practices are documented in our methodology.
Read the methodology →