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Understanding Your Chesapeake Utilities – Maryland Division Bill

Monthly bills will reflect usage based on the read taken from your meter, which will vary from month to month depending on how much energy you use and the current cost of natural gas. Circumstances affecting your monthly bill include changes in the weather, the number and type of appliances you use, the amount of time you spend at home and more. The following is a brief explanation of the bill you will receive from Chesapeake Utilities – Maryland Division, and the charges approved by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

How to Read Your Chesapeake Utilities Bill

1. ACCOUNT NUMBER – This is your account number with Chesapeake Utilities. Please mark all correspondence and payments with this number to ensure your account is properly identified
2. METER NUMBER – This number identifies your gas meter.
3. ACCOUNT NAME – Name of the account holder.
4. ACCOUNT SERVICE ADDRESS and CURRENT PHONE NUMBER – This is the mailing address where we’ll send your statement each month. Please help us keep this information current by updating your address whenever it changes.
5. BILLING PERIOD – This is the period of time from the date your meter was read last month until the date it was read this month.
6. METER READINGS – Each month your meter is read. When you subtract last month’s reading from this month’s reading, you know how much gas was used. All meter readings are actual unless circumstances prevented the meter from being read. In this case, the present reading will be estimated, and your bill will be adjusted after the next meter reading.
7. RATE – Represents the rate schedule applicable to your account.
8. CCFs USED – A CCF is 100 cubic feet. This is the way gas is measured as it passes through your meter.
9. ROUTE-SEQUENCE – code for the cycle of your meter reading.
10. FUEL COMPUTATION – Delivery Service Rates include a “Customer Charge” and usage by tier.
    • Customer Charge – A fixed amount used to cover the cost of your service, meter and billing. This charge is applied regardless of the amount of natural gas you use and cannot be changed by Chesapeake Utilities without approval from the Public Service Commission. The tiers are shown on the bill as “First 20,” “Next 30” and “Over 50” defining the allocation of usage by rate.
    • GSR – Gas Sales Service Rate (GSR) represents the cost of the natural gas delivered to our system for use in your home. The GSR normally changes once a year due to increases or decreases in the prices we are paying for natural gas. We make every effort to purchase gas at the lowest possible price for our customers. The rate is the cost we pay for the gas and does not include a profit or markup. You pay what we pay 
    • EER – Energy Efficiency Rider is a rate approved by the PSC for the purpose of recovering costs associated with implementation and administration of cost-effective energy efficiency programs.
    • FRANTAX – Maryland Franchise Tax Rider is a tax required by the state to operate in Maryland. The amount you pay is based on how much gas you use.
11. IMPORTANT MESSAGE – These messages contain information for you regarding conservation, safety and other important announcements.
12. ACCOUNT ACTIVITY –
    • Balance Last Statement: The amount owed from the previous bill, including any unpaid balances.
    • Credits and Adjustments: Credits or unscheduled payments received during the last billing cycle.
    • Current Charges: The amount charged for the current billing period, derived from the fuel computation.
    • Balance Information: The amount to be paid before the due date on each bill to avoid any late fees or penalties.
13. COMPARATIVE DATA – Month-over-month comparison of your bill.
14. DAYS IN BILLING PD. – The number of days between meter readings.
15. TOTAL UNITS USED IN BILLING PERIOD – Chesapeake Utilities bills customers on a per-CCF basis.
16. AVERAGE DAILY UNITS USED – Average number of CCFs used per day during the billing period.
17. AVERAGE DAILY TEMPERATURE – Average daily exterior temperature during the billing period.
18. AVERAGE DAILY COST – This section displays your average daily cost for natural gas services during the billing period.
19. PAST DUE AFTER – Although your monthly bill is due and payable upon receipt, it becomes past due if not paid by the “Past Due After” date on your bill. A late pay charge may be added to the bill if payment is not received before the next billing period.
20. TOTAL AMOUNT DUE – This is the amount you owe on this bill. This includes: the previous balance; payment(s) made toward that balance; any unpaid balance forward from the prior month’s bill; your current month’s bill amount; and your current balance. Chesapeake Utilities offers several ways you can pay your utility bill. Ways to Pay – CHPK Gas – DNG