We've been auditing TXU accounts in Dallas and found they're applying peak hours incorrectly on the TOU-R residential schedule. Tariff says summer peak is 1PM-7PM weekdays, but bills show charges at the peak rate from 12PM-8PM. This affects about 40 accounts we've reviewed so far. Anyone else seeing this in Texas? The overcharges are running $200-400 per summer month on larger homes.
TXU TOU-R Schedule - Peak Hours Wrong on Bills Since March
Marcus, I haven't worked TXU accounts but we saw something similar with PG&E last year. Their billing system was reading the TOU schedule parameters wrong after a system update. Have you pulled the actual interval data to confirm the timestamps? Sometimes the issue is in how they're converting from GMT to local time, especially around DST transitions.
We audit a lot of TXU commercial accounts here in Charlotte (before they moved operations). The TOU-R schedule has been problematic for years. Check if they're using the old 2010 schedule parameters instead of the current ones. TXU updated their peak windows in 2011 but some billing systems cached the old data.
Jennifer - yes, we pulled the 15-minute interval data and it clearly shows usage during the actual peak hours (1PM-7PM) being billed at standard rates, while usage from 12-1PM and 7-8PM is getting the peak rate. It's definitely a billing system error, not a metering issue. Karen, that's exactly what we're thinking - some kind of schedule parameter mixup.
Marcus, file this with the Texas PUC immediately. TXU has to provide refunds going back to when the error started if you can document it properly. We had a similar case with OG&E in Oklahoma where they were applying weekend rates on weekdays. Took 8 months but customers got full refunds plus interest.
Ed, we've already contacted TXU and filed the complaint with PUC. TXU claims they need 60 days to investigate but we have the documentation locked down tight. The interval data doesn't lie. Thanks for the heads up about the refund process - sounds like it'll be a long haul.
Following up on this thread - just wanted to confirm we're seeing the exact same issue with Ameren Missouri's TOU schedules here in St. Louis. Their Schedule 1(M) time-of-use has the same one-hour shift problem. Looks like this might be more widespread than just TXU. We're documenting everything for a formal complaint.
Pam, that's concerning but not surprising. These billing system vendors probably sold the same flawed software to multiple utilities. Keep us posted on your Ameren case. We should probably start a master list of which utilities are affected by this TOU timing bug.