Large retail chain audit - 22 locations across North and South Carolina served by Duke Energy Carolinas. Found systematic errors on power factor billing. About half the locations are being charged power factor penalties when their actual power factor is above 90%. Duke applied the charges based on old meter readings.
Duke Energy Carolinas - 22 retail locations audit
Duke Energy Carolinas updated their power factor measurement methodology in 2012. Meters installed before 2011 might be calculating power factor differently. Check the meter installation dates against the billing start dates for power factor charges.
I see this a lot with Duke Energy. They sometimes don't update their billing systems when meters are replaced. File a formal dispute with supporting power factor readings from the new meters. Usually gets resolved in 30-45 days.
Virginia locations might have different power factor thresholds than North Carolina. Duke Energy Carolinas operates under two different state commissions. Check the tariffs for each state separately.
Update: Filed disputes for all 11 affected locations. Duke credited back 18 months of incorrect power factor charges. Total refund was $34,000 across the portfolio. Also corrected the billing going forward.
That's a great result! Power factor billing errors are often overlooked in multi-site audits because the charges look legitimate. Good catch on checking the actual meter readings versus the billed power factor.
Power factor billing verification should be standard practice on every commercial audit. These systematic errors across multiple locations often indicate billing system problems that affect many customers. Excellent work documenting the meter upgrade timing issue.