Utility Rate Schedule - WebTMA 7

The Utility Rate Schedule window tracks information about the utility bill. Utility Rate Schedules can be set for each Utility Type.

To create a Utility Rate Schedule record in Add mode:

1. Enter a Code using fifty characters or less.
2. Include a Name for the service.
3. Select the Service type.
4. Choose the Contractor, that is, the company that provides the Utility service.
5. Complete the optional fields and Sections that apply
6. Select Save on the WebTMA toolbar.

Utility Rate Schedule Calculated Cost

The Additional Information Section includes options to accommodate service charges, partial billing, and seasonal rate changes.

If the billing cycle falls in the middle of the month or if billing for multiple months is used, mark the Use partial and multiple month billing period averaging method check box.

Do rates change from winter to summer? Mark the Rates change from winter to summer check box. If checked, be sure to select the dates the new rate begins for winter and summer.

Choose one of the radio buttons to indicate whether a service charge is applied: Flat Rate, Variable Rate, or No Charge.

Demand Tab

High demands force utility companies to build larger infrastructures that are not used to capacity during most of the year. Demand Charges are also called Peak Period Demand Charges because they are extra charges based on usage during peak times. These fees are paid to utility companies for the highest demand in both winter and summer.

Three options are available for tracking winter and summer rates separately.

• The first choice, Charge Unit, requires a demand charge per unit billed.
• The second choice, Stepped Demand Charge, enables the Details button. Click this button to set up the charge intervals on the Stepped Demand Entry flyout. You can set a variable or fixed step schedule.
• The third choice is No demand charge.

The billing period is your final option on the Demand Tab. You may Adjust for billing period length according to a set number of days. Enter the less than or greater than number of days in the two fields.

Energy Tab

This window tracks energy charges, i.e., the actual charge for the utility without any extra fees for peak times. Charges are tracked separately for winter and summer. Stepped values are established on the Stepped Demand Entry flyout described in the Demand Tab. Select one of these five energy charge options:

• No energy charge – No charges.
• Charge Unit – The set cost for each unit of energy used.
• Step with fixed steps – Each step or rate is unchanging.
• Step with variables per billed Min – Each step differs according to the billed demand for the invoice period. A variable step is sometimes considered a "concealed" demand charge. With a variable step, the energy user is charged a fee for highest point of demand.
• Combination of flat, fixed stepped, and variable stepped – A combination of all the types of energy charges.

Minimum Tab

Minimum charges are frequently equal to the service charge specified on the Identity Tab. In larger services, it is common for the minimum charge to be much greater than the usual service charge. Any tax or adjustment charges are added to the minimum charge. On the Minimum Tab, select the radio button that describes your type of minimum charge, and enter the appropriate amounts or percentages if needed.

Maximum Tab

The Maximum Tab tracks the maximum (average) charge per unit of energy consumed. Some utility companies guarantee a maximum amount regardless of billed demand. This practice protects their users from large demand charges when the energy was used only for a short period of time. If a maximum average exists, enter the dollar amount in the field for the unit of energy.

Tax & Adjustments Tab

The Tax & Adjustments Tab tracks taxes and adjustments based on a full adjustment charge per unit of energy, unit of demand, or percentage using one of the several methods. If No maximum average charge provision in the rate schedule (% of bill) radio button is selected, i.e., no adjustment is made, enter 0.0 in the % of bill field at the bottom of the window.

If the entry is a credit, use a prefix of a minus (-) sign to indicate a negative amount.

Billed Demand Tab

The Billed Demand Tab tracks how the billed demand is determined. The billed demand is frequently not the same as the demand recorded by the meter. It is common to be billed at a higher demand as a 'penalty' for having a high demand in a prior month. Select from the several options available.