Working a CenterPoint Energy bill in Houston. Large office building on Schedule TOU. Peak window is 1pm-7pm weekdays but their interval meter data shows they're getting charged peak rates for partial intervals that cross into off-peak. Like 6:45-7:15pm getting full peak rate. Is this normal?
CenterPoint Houston TOU rate - meter reading interval issues
Connie, that doesn't sound right. Most utilities pro-rate intervals that cross TOU boundaries. CenterPoint should be charging peak rate for 6:45-7:00pm and off-peak for 7:00-7:15pm on that 15-minute interval.
I had this exact issue with Alabama Power. They were rounding all partial intervals to the higher rate period. Filed complaint with PSC and got 18 months of refunds. Worth pursuing.
Filed formal complaint with Texas PUC. CenterPoint initially pushed back but interval analysis clearly showed improper rounding. Client got $23,400 refund plus correction going forward.
Nice work Connie. Interval data analysis is tedious but these meter reading errors can add up to serious money on large TOU accounts.