Make sure when you’re calculating your monthly rate for electricity that you’re factoring in both your base charge, your rate per kWh beyond that AND any additional taxes, fees and/or surcharges. Here in Maine, (where electricity is on the pricier side) our primary electric utility lists our residential rates at $8.36/month for the first 100 kWh plus 5.98 cents pew kWh in excess of the first 100 kWh in a given month. I thought it was a pretty reasonable rate until I learned that there were a handful of taxes and surcharges beyond this that weren’t part of this published rate. It turns out that with these additional fees, I end up paying 14.83 cents per kWh (instead of 5.98) beyond the first 100 kWh. That’s a jump of over twice what their rate sheet would lead you to believe you’re paying.
When you’re given a rate by your local electric utility, make sure that it’s all inclusive and takes into account any additional fees, taxes and surcharges. Otherwise, you may be in for a big surprise when your first bill comes.
John