Got a question about common area charges on master-metered apartment buildings. ComEd is billing my client's 96-unit complex $450/month just for hallway and exterior lighting on Rate 6S. This seems high for basic fluorescent fixtures and some outdoor security lights. The property manager says they've always paid this amount but it feels excessive. Anyone have benchmarks for common area lighting costs per unit in Chicago market?
ComEd common area lighting charges - seems excessive
Yuri, $450/month for 96 units works out to about $4.70 per unit which actually seems reasonable for full common area service. Here in Atlanta, Georgia Power charges similar amounts on Schedule PL-1 for apartment lighting. The real question is whether all that usage is actually common area or if some individual unit loads are getting mixed in. Have you seen a detailed breakdown of what's included in the "common area" meter?
Rachel's asking the right question. NV Energy here in Vegas has been notorious for including things like pool equipment, office space, and even laundry rooms under "common area" lighting rates. Those should be on general service rates, not lighting schedules. Yuri, request a load study to verify what's actually connected to that meter. If they've got non-lighting loads on a lighting rate, you could see significant savings by getting it reclassified.