Understanding your electricity bill


Understanding your electricity bill


At Reliant, we're here to make energy for your business easier. Check out our detailed bill diagram below. It can help you quickly understand all the information included in your monthly Reliant bill. We also offer a printable version for you to keep!

Check out our detailed bill feature descriptions below to help make sense of your monthly bill.

  1. Account information
  2. ESI ID
  3. Questions or comments
  4. Bill overview
  5. Account summary
  6. Electricity usage detail
  7. Electricity usage summary
  8. Payment slip
  9. Service address
  10. Current electricity charges

Account information

You'll need your account number when you call us or when you mail in your check or money order. Your Invoice Number is the unique number assigned t oeach specific bill. The Service Address is the address we provide electricity to; it may differ from the Billing Address.


ESI ID

Your Electric Service Identifier (ESI ID) is an exclusive number assigned by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to each distinct meter loacation. (Think of it like an IP address for your meter.) The first 5-10 positions of the number denote the transmission distribution service provider (TDSP) that services and reads the meter location.


Questions and comments

Get in touch with us when you need help. For power outages, call your local transmission distribution services provder (TDSP) at the number listed — that company maintains the lines and wires and can assist you.


Bill overview

Get a snapshot of your most important bill information. This section shows the date you were billed, the date payment is due ant the After Due Date amount you will owe if the date is missed.


Account summary

Previous amoutn due: the amount due from your previous bill

Payment: the most recent payment we've received, and the date that payment was processed

Balance forward: the difference between the Previous Amount Due and Pyament. This balance is due right away (not when your crrent bill is due). If you paid this amount after the invoice was generated, it will still appear on your next invoice.

Current charges: amount due this billing cycle


Electricity usage detail

We calculate your kWh usage by subtracting the Previous Meter Read from a Current Meter Read, then multiplying it by the kWh Multiplier. You can compare usage, check average daily stats and see how the current temperature may impact usage.


Electricity usage summary

This is an overview of your electricity consumption. Billing days vary between billing periods. Meter readings are done on workdays. When the scheduled date falls on a weekend or holiday, the meter read is pushed t othe next workday. Readings are schedueled as a set of "cylces" from 1 to 21 based on 21 wordkays. 21x12 = 252 wordkays int heyear.


Payment slip

Tear off this sectin and return it with your check or money order for the Amount Due. To make a payment by phne. pleas call 713-207-PAID. Set up AutoPay by calling 866-660-4900 and choosing to have payments automatically drafted from your account.


Service address

This section recaps your basic account information, address serviced, as well as consumption and demand, if applicable. For power outages, call your local transmission distribution services provider (TDSP) at the number listed — that company maintains the lines and wires and can assist you.

Electric usage detail: the amount of electricity being consumed at any given time. Demand rises and falls throughout the day in response to the time of day and other environmental factors.

kWh Multiplier: used to calculate actual usage for meters that register only a portion of kilowatts or kilowatt-hours used

kWh usage: the measure of energy used in kilowatt-hours

kW: kilowatt, the standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 watts

kWh: kilowatt-hour, the standard unit for measuring electricity energy conusmption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours


Current electricity charges

Base charge: recurring monthly charge that is a constant amount for a plan, defined on the EFL (electricity facts label)

Energy charge: the amount of electricity you used (kWh) times the price you pay per kWh

TDSP charges: Distribution or Delivery Charge is a recurring monthly charge provided by TDSP to cover expenses for local wires, transformers, substations, meter reads and service, including delivery of electricity to end-use consumers. These charges are set by the Public Utility commission of Texas and are charged to every customer, regardless of provider. Pass-through charges (charges "passed through the bill to businesses") can be recurring (like monthly standard delivery charges) and nonrecurring (for services like connecting, disconnecting or reconnecting electric service). Pass-through charges may be itemized separately.

Gross receipts tax reimbursement: a refund to Reliant for the Gross Receipts Taxes that are charged based on the revenue received

Special tax: a sales tax assessed by a special tax district separate from the city , county and state sales taxes for services like ambulance service, library or health services