Lee C. from Savannah dealing with a Georgia Power classification mess. Property has retail space on ground floor (about 40% of total load) and office space on floors 2-3 (60% of load). Currently on Schedule PL-1 commercial but Georgia Power says it should be Schedule GS-4 because of the mixed use. The rate difference is huge - talking $2,800/month higher costs. Building owner is furious and threatening to switch representation. Anyone dealt with Georgia Power mixed-use classifications? What documentation do they typically require?
Mixed-use property rate classification nightmare with Georgia Power
Isaac M. from Montgomery - don't have Georgia Power experience but Alabama Power has similar issues. Mixed-use usually gets classified based on the predominant use, not just square footage. You need to break down actual electrical usage by tenant type. Office loads are typically much lower per square foot than retail. Have you done a load study to determine actual usage patterns by floor?
Isaac, that's a great point about predominant electrical use vs. square footage. The retail space has much higher lighting and HVAC loads, probably 70% of actual kWh consumption even though it's smaller. Georgia Power initially wanted to classify based on building permits and square footage rather than actual electrical usage. I'm pushing back with interval data showing office space usage patterns.
Roy H. here - had this exact issue with Alabama Power two years ago. The key was getting submeter data for each use type and proving that office use was predominant in kWh consumption. Also helped to get letters from tenants describing their operations. Mixed-use properties are tricky but utilities usually have specific tariff language about predominant use determination.
Wayne P. from Charlotte - Georgia Power can be stubborn on reclassifications. You might need to escalate to their commercial accounts manager level rather than working with field reps. Also check if the building qualifies for any of their economic development rates if it's a newer construction or recently renovated. Those rates sometimes override standard classification rules.
Randy Dawson here - Lee, Georgia Power's Schedule determination rules are in their General Terms and Conditions section 4. Mixed-use properties are classified based on predominant use measured by actual kWh consumption, not floor area. You'll need at least 12 months of detailed usage data and preferably submeter information by use type. If office use represents more than 60% of total consumption, you can argue for commercial office classification. Document everything in writing and reference specific tariff language. Georgia Power has been more cooperative on reclassifications lately due to PSC pressure, but you need solid documentation. Consider hiring a professional engineer to verify the load analysis if the savings justify the expense.
Randy, thanks for the specific tariff reference. I've been digging through their General Terms and found section 4.3 that supports the predominant use argument. Submeter installation is scheduled for next week to get definitive usage breakdown. The potential annual savings of $33,600 definitely justifies the engineering analysis. Will keep everyone posted on the outcome.
Carlos R. from San Antonio - following this thread with interest. We see similar issues with CPS Energy mixed-use properties. The submeter approach Randy suggested is usually the winning strategy. Just make sure the submeters are utility-grade accuracy for credibility with Georgia Power.
Final update - Georgia Power approved reclassification back to Schedule PL-1! The submeter data showed office use was 68% of total consumption which met their predominant use test. Took 3 weeks after submitting the engineering report but saved the client $2,847/month. Building owner is happy and we retained the account. Thanks everyone for the guidance, especially Randy's tariff reference.