Reading Gas Meters and Bills

If you've gasoline appliances, you'll also have gasfigure out the quantity of therms used, the company
meters. The single, upper dial on a gasoline meter is(Nicor) multiplies your use by the Btu factor.
utilized only to test the meter and isn't part of theThe Btu element may vary from month to month, and
reading. The dials are sometimes known as registers.is listed on the bill. "Delivery Charges" are Nicor's costs
Although gasoline is measured in cubic feet rather thanto operate and distribute gas to you. These charges
kilowatt-hours, the meter dials work the same waymake up about 15 to 20 percent of the gas bill more
(and are read the exact same way) as electric meterthan 1 year.
dials.MONTHLY Customer Charge:
In big commercial buildings, the gasoline meter might beThis is a minimum cost for most customers and it is
a lot more sophisticated, with two sets of dials muchthe same every month, even if you do not use natural
like the combination electric meter. Called agasoline that month. For (Nicor's) "Rate 4" company
compensating meter, this meter also adjustscustomers, this charge is based on your meter size
("compensates") when gasoline pressure orand potential maximum hourly use of organic gasoline,
temperature at the location varies from normalin cubic feet per hour (cfh). Most company clients are
conditions. Of the two sets of registers, one will bewithin the "less than 1,000 cfh" category.
marked "Uncorrected" or "Uncompensated" and alsoCustomer costs are:
the other is going to be labeled "Corrected" orLess than 1,000 cfh: $20.37
"Compensated."1,000 cfh to 10,000 cfh: $59.82
Read the "Corrected" meter to figure out your gasMore than 10,000 cfh: $105.56
usage; the "Uncorrected" dials are utilized by the utilityTHERM USAGE/DISTRIBUTION Charges:
company for checking the meter. In all instances,These costs cover (Nicor's) fixed and variable
gasoline consumed is measured in cubic feet, or cubicoperating and distribution costs. A portion of these
feet per hour (cfh). Nevertheless, the rates might becosts carries from month to month, dependent about
dependent on therms. (1 therm equals 100,000 Btu, orthe amount of organic gas you use. You will find price
approximately 100 cubic feet.) In our sample bill, thevariations at certain levels of therm usage.
cubic feet are converted to therms to determine theVolumetric delivery costs are:
cost from the gasoline fuel.Very first 150 therms @ $0.1329
The gas utility (in this case, Nicor Gasoline of Chicago,Next 4,850 therms @ $0.0682
Illinois) estimates the organic gas that a customer usesA lot more than 5,000 therms @ $0.0482
makes up about 75 to 80 percent from the gas billENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY Cost:
more than one year. As a regulated utility, it doesn'tThis charge covers our costs for the environmental
income from the actual price from the gas, and shouldmonitoring and feasible cleanup of former anufactured
pass them on without mark-up.gas plants in our service territory. This charge changes
METER Reading SECTION:periodically, and Nicor doesn't income from these
The "Current Reading" is determined by 1 of threecharges.
methods: An Real Meter Reading through signifies yourFRANCHISE Price:
reading through was taken by a company meterCovers our cost for municipal franchise agreements.
reader or recorded by an automated device. ClientNicor does not income from this charge.
Reading through means you reported your meterGOVERNMENTAL AGENCY ADJUSTMENT:
reading through to the utility company. An EstimatedThis adjustment covers governmental fees and added
Meter Reading signifies the company (in this situation,expenses, excluding franchise expenses. This price
Nicor) estimated the reading through dependent onmodifications periodically, and Nicor does not income
previous usage and also the weather.from this cost.
Nicor estimates most meter readings each otherTAXES:
month; then, on the following bill, any distinction fromGasoline bills also consist of a number of taxes; in the
real use is automatically corrected when an actualsituation of Nicor clients, these taxes make up five to
meter reading through is taken. The "Previous Reading"10 percent of a customer's total bill over one year. In
may be the reading through from the gasoline meterIllinois, where Nicor Gas is located, you will find three
within the last reading through period. The "Difference"various types of state taxes on utilities, and two
may be the amount of difference between themunicipal taxes.
previous reading through and the current reading. To