Bill calculation cost

Several methods are available for determining cost for a calculated meter.

Calculate cost options

calculate cost form

1. Use x rate schedule linked to this meter

This calculation uses the rate schedule assigned to the meter.
The rate schedule in effect on the first day of the billing period is used. The rate start date must be on or before the bill start date and the rate end date must be after the bill start date.
Example
A calculated rate used during the fiscal year.

Rate schedules can

  • Include use and demand unit cost.
  • Be versioned over time to easily update multiple meters at the same time.
  • Include more meter and account line items that are added to the calculated bills any time the rate is used.
  1. Select the Vendor and then the rate schedule you want to update.
  2. Click the Properties tab.
  3. Click the pencil to edit the rate schedule version.

2. Use x fixed unit cost

Enter a fixed unit cost. This specific unit cost is used in calculations.
Example
Using a contracted rate to generate tenant bills.

3. Use x unit cost from another meter

Unit cost from another meter of the same commodity, from the same or adjacent billing period, is used for this meter's calculations. If no bill exists in the specified billing period, the processor looks for a bill one month back and then one month forward of the specified billing period. If no bill is found in either attempt. The processor looks back two months and then forward two months of the specified billing period. If no bills are found the processor continues to look until a prior bill is found.

Example
Submeters should reflect the same unit cost of the vendor meter they are behind.

Options independent of use

4. Fixed amount

Enter the amount for each month.

Example
Billing a tenant for an arranged cost.

5. Copy cost from another meter

Use a percentage of the cost from another meter of any commodity for the same billing period.

Example
Billing a percentage to a building tenant.

6. Calculation

Add and subtract meters or meter groups. Only custom groups can be used for chargebacks calculations. Account charges are excluded from the calculation.

Examples

  • Sum the input costs for an energy plant to determine the total cost of operation.
  • Combine the costs of multiple meters into a single bill.
  • Calculate the differences between a vendor bill and the cost of all downstream submeters.
  • O&M costs for the steam plant can be included by creating a meter with zero use and fixed amount cost.