Find definitions about the charges and terminology on your bill. Click on the letter the term starts with or browse the entire glossary.
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100 Watt Sodium Vapor
This is an outdoor area light. The charge for this light is based on the wattage or size (such as 75, 100, 150, 200 or 400 watt) of the specific light. Schedule 15 in Idaho and Oregon includes different wattages for area lighting and flood lighting. The appropriate lighting type and wattage will be listed on the customer’s bill. The charge will be determined within the rate schedule by wattage.
Account
Your account is identified by a unique 10-digit number assigned by Idaho Power. If you receive service at more than one address, you may have more than one account number. You'll need this number when paying your bill or contacting Idaho Power.
Account Activity
Details the account's previous balance; any payments the company has received since the previous billing; the account's balance forward, if any; the current charges to the account; and the account balance.
Account Balance
The accumulated amount currently billed to the account.
Average Daily Use Comparison
Compares the average daily electricity usage for the current month with the same month a year ago.
Balance Forward
The amount left unpaid from your previous bill.
Billing Date
The date your bill was prepared.
Billing kW
The kW used to bill demand based on either the meter reading or power
factor.
BLC (Basic Load Capacity)
The basic load capacity is calculated only for large commercial and industrial customers. It also is used to calculate the Basic Charge on these customers’ bills. The BLC is the average kW used during the two months of greatest electricity demand over the past 12 months, including the current month. It is recalculated each month.
BLC (Basic Load Capacity) Charge
For large commercial and industrial customers only, the BLC charge is calculated each month using the average of the two highest peak demand times (measured in 15-minute periods) for the past year. See also BLC above.
BPA Credit
Idaho and Oregon irrigation and residential customers once qualified to receive a credit as a result of a five-year agreement between Idaho Power and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) reached in 2001. The credit allowed Idaho Power customers to share in the benefits that BPA derives from federal hydroelectric projects in the region. It was determined by multiplying the customer’s monthly kilowatt-hour usage by a factor that Idaho Power calculated each month. Residential customers’ BPA credits were subtracted from the monthly bills, while irrigation customers received the total credit in December each year. The credit currently is suspended as a result of a May 2007 court ruling, but Idaho Power is working with other utilities and the BPA to restore the credit.
Budget Balance
The balance due that month for an account on Budget Pay.
Budget Pay
This plan spreads your electricity charges evenly over a 12-month period. The monthly payment is the average of 12 monthly billings based on historical charges or an estimate of future charges. Learn more about Budget Pay.
CR
All dollar amounts followed with a CR indicate a credit and are deducted from the total bill amount.
Current Bill
The amount due for energy consumed during the most recent billing period. The Current Bill amount includes all charges for electrical service plus any applicable late fees, franchise fees and any prior unpaid balance.
Current Charges
The current billing amount for electric service. If your account is on Budget Pay, or another payment arrangement, then this amount may be different than the "Please Pay" amount on the tear-off portion of your bill.
Customer Name
The name of the person responsible for the Idaho Power account. If the person receiving service is not the same person as the person responsible for payment of service, the latter is considered the customer for purposes of starting or disconnecting service, receiving funds, or making changes to the account.
Demand Charge
Reflects the capacity necessary to meet a large commercial or industrial customer’s monthly peak demand. The demand charge is multiplied by the average number of kilowatts used during the 15-minute period of peak demand (highest electricity use) each month. The peak demand is calculated either by the kilowatts shown on the meter, or stated in the demand clause of the customer’s rate schedule.
Deposit
A deposit is sometimes required when you set up new service, or if your service has been interrupted because we have not received your payment. It is not prepayment of your bill. The deposit payment is held as security for future payment and is reimbursable after good credit is established with Idaho Power.
Due Date
The date by which Idaho Power should receive your payment to avoid any associated late charges. Idaho customers will be assessed a monthly late charge of 1 percent of any unpaid balance.
Energy Charge
An amount equal to the monthly electricity usage (kWh) multiplied by your rate.
Energy Efficiency Services
Energy Efficiency Services provides financial support for Idaho Power’s energy efficiency programs. This amount includes the Energy Efficiency Rider and Fixed-Cost Adjustment.
Energy Efficiency Rider
Pays for the analysis and implementation of energy efficiency programs. It is included on customers’ monthly bills under the “Energy Efficiency Services” line item and is equal to 2.5 percent of the monthly base rate billing amount for all customers. Learn how to conserve energy and save money.
Facility Charge
The amount charged to some industrial customers for Idaho Power equipment located beyond the primary meter.
Federal Columbia River Benefits Supplied by BPA
Idaho and Oregon irrigation and residential customers may qualify to receive a credit as part of the Federal Columbia River Power System benefits supplied by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). These benefits, shared among residential and small farm customers, are a result of a five-year settlement Idaho Power Company negotiated with BPA in 2001. The amount is determined using a monthly factor for the Residential BPA Credit, which is then multiplied by the usage and applied to the monthly billing. Irrigation BPA Credits are applied annually in December along with the Irrigation Tax Rebates.
Final Bill
The last bill for service at your location. It can be mailed to any address you request. If you transfer service, the final bill amount will be mailed to the service address of the old location, and listed on the first bill of the new location as a Prior Balance.
Fixed-Cost Adjustment
The Fixed-Cost Adjustment, or FCA, removes the financial impact Idaho Power experiences when electricity sales decrease due to energy efficiency programs. This three-year pilot program (Jan. 2007 – Dec. 2009) annually adjusts rates up or down to recover the difference between the fixed costs authorized by the Idaho Public Utility Commission and the fixed costs the utility actually recovers from customers through energy sales during the previous year.
Franchise Fee
Reflects part of the amount Idaho and Oregon cities charge Idaho Power for putting power lines on city property. Idaho Power signs a “franchise” with city governments for this privilege. The fees are collected by Idaho Power and passed directly to the local government entity. The fee may be between 1 and 3 percent of the customer’s bill, depending on applicable government regulations.
Generation
This refers to generation by producers with generating plants (solar, wind, biomass, hydropower or fuel cell) for the purpose of supplying electric power required in their residential, commercial, or industrial operations.
HP
Preceded by a number on irrigation account bills, HP = Horsepower for a specific irrigation pump.
Interest Applied
The dollar amount accrued on deposits while in possession of Idaho Power. The interest rate is set by the Idaho and Oregon Public Utility commissions annually.
kV
kV = kilovolt. One kilovolt equals 1,000 volts. A volt is the electromotive force or electric pressure similar to water pressure in pounds per square inch.
kW
kW = kilowatt. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. A watt measures the amount of energy needed to power an electrical device.
kWh
kWh = kilowatt-hour, is the unit Idaho Power uses to measure your electricity usage each month. One kilowatt-hour is 1,000 watts of electricity used for one hour. For example, if you operate a 1,000-watt microwave for one hour, or if you operate a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours, each will use one kilowatt-hour of electricity.
kWh Used
kWh = The amount of kWhs the meter recorded having used during the billing cycle.
Late Fee or Late Payment Charge
A fee that is equal to 1 percent of the past due balance (amount owed to Idaho Power). It occurs when Idaho Power has not received your payment by the due date.
Megawatt
One million watts -- enough electricity to light 10,000 light bulbs (100-watts each).
Meter Constant
A numeric field found on the front of the meter and used to calculate the number of kilowatts used in your home each month. For example,
the constant "Kh=7.2" means that for each revolution of the disk inside your
meter, 7.2 kilowatt-hours of electricity have been used. Most residential customers
have a meter constant of 1, while larger power customers may have a higher
meter constant.
Meter Number
The identifying number on the front of your meter.
Meter Readings (Previous and Current)
The measuring components of an electric meter are read on a monthly basis to determine the usage amount for billing customers. The previous meter reading amount is what was recorded the month prior; the current amount is for the current month. The previous reading is subtracted from the current reading to determine the kWh used during the current billing cycle.
New Contact Information
If you need to update your contact information with us, including mailing address and phone number, there are details about where to send us that new information on the flip side of the bill stub. Registered Account Managers may also update their information with us online. Click to register or login.
Next Read Date
The next time the account's meter is scheduled to be read.
Number of Days
The number of days of service included in the billing cycle.
Payments
The total amount of funds Idaho Power has received from the date of your previous bill to the date the current bill was generated.
Pay Station
Pay Stations allow you to pay your electricity bill in person at stores and businesses in communities throughout the company’s service area. Many Pay Stations offer the convenience of longer business hours and the ability to conduct business on weekends. For faster service, bring a copy of your most recent bill, or your 10-digit Idaho Power account number along with your payment.
PCA (Power Cost Adjustment)
The annual Power Cost Adjustment, or PCA, reflects changes in the company's costs of producing and buying power. Each spring the company files this cost adjustment information with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and it is implemented on June 1 through a change in customers' rates.
Please Pay
The amount owed to Idaho Power for your most current bill. If your account is on Budget Pay, this amount will stay the same each month. If you are not on Budget Pay, this amount will match the Account Balance.
PreferredPayTM
Customers can pay their Idaho Power bill electronically by transferring funds directly from a designated checking or savings account (automatic bank debiting). Learn more about PreferredPay.
Previous Balance
The amount owed from the last or a previous bill.
Print Date
The day the bill was printed.
Project Share
Idaho Power Company teams up with The Salvation Army year round to help those who cannot pay winter heating bills due to illness, disability, age or unemployment. Project Share helps people pay electric, natural gas, propane, oil or firewood bills. By making a pledge of $2, $5, or $10, for example, you can help someone less fortunate meet the demands of winter heating. The back of your bill stub has a place for you to mark the pledge amount you wish to add to your monthly bill amount.
Prorated
Any time a change is made to the rate or billing period, the bill is prorated into parts to correspond with the change. For example, if you sign up for service on the 10th of the month, your account will be “prorated,” or charged only for part of that month. Prorated billing also happens if electricity rates change mid-month and Idaho Power needs to calculate part of the month at a different rate.
Pwr Fac (or Power Factor)
Reflects the amount of extra work (measured in volt-amperes) needed to provide electricity to some industrial customers. This is always a value between zero and 1.0. Customers with less efficient equipment (which use up more energy than necessary to supply the required watts) will have a power factor lower than 1.0. The power factor is calculated for each customer by dividing the maximum demand (measured in kilowatts) by the kilovolt-ampere (kVa) demand established by the customer.
Pwr Fac Adj (or Power Factor Adjustment)
When a customer's power factor is less than 90 percent (0.90), as measured under actual load conditions, Idaho Power may adjust the kW demanded that month to reflect the extra volts-amperes generated in order to meet that demand. The adjusted demand is figured by multiplying the measured kW (as shown on the meter) by 90 percent, and dividing by the customer's unique power factor.
Rate Schedule
Identifies your account's rate plan, which determines the rate you are billed. These plans include:
I01 or O01 — Residential
I07 or O07—Small General Service (Small Commercial)
I09, O09 (P, S or T)—Large General Service (Large Commercial)
I19, O19 (P, S or T)—Large Power Service (Industrial, Primary service)
I24, O24, I25 (S, SB, C, or CB)—Irrigation Service
Click for a full list of Idaho Power’s rate schedules and an explanation of each schedule’s regulations.
Reading Type
Identifies how the meter read was made. Different reading types include:
Actual: Usage is determined by an Idaho Power meter service specialist reading the meter in person at your service address.
Estimated: Usage is determined by your past energy use or the past usage history of your location. This may be done when your meter cannot be located or accessed.
Adjusted: Usage is determined by an actual reading in person performed after an estimated read to make sure the estimated read was accurate. The adjusted read may occur close to the time of the estimated read, or it may occur at the next month's regular meter read date.
Seasonal Rates
Rates for all customer groups change between summer and non-summer seasons. The summer season begins on June 1 each year and ends Aug. 31. The non-summer season begins Sept. 1 and ends May 31. Irrigation customers pay “in-season” and “out-of-season” rates instead of summer and non-summer. The irrigation season begins with the May meter read cycle date and ends as of the September meter read cycle date. For Irrigation Time Of Use (TOU) customers the season begins June 1 and ends Sept. 30, inclusive.
Service Agreement No.
A Service Agreement No. (or Number) is an identification number for service at a particular location. It serves as an 'implied contract' that contains the terms and conditions by which Idaho Power provides service to a customer and by which the customer agrees to compensate the company.
Service Charge
The service charge is a flat fee that helps recover costs involved with maintaining meters, lines and billing.
Service Establishment Charge
A one-time fee required to start electric service at an address. Normally, it is included on your first bill and is due by the due date specified.
Service Level
The service level is a segmentation of customers within one rate schedule, based on the amount of voltage required by the customer. The three service levels are:
P - Primary Service is service at 12.5 kilovolts (kV) to 34.5 kV. A customer taking Primary Service is responsible for providing the transformation (step-down) of power to the voltage at which it is to be used by that customer.
S - Secondary Service is taken at 480 volts or less, or where the definitions of Primary Service and Transmission Service do not apply. Idaho Power is responsible for providing the transformation of power voltage to the level at which it is to be used by the customer taking Secondary Service.
T - Transmission Service is service taken at 440 volts or higher. A customer taking Transmission Service is responsible for providing the transformation of power to the voltage at which it is to be used.
Service Location
The address where the account's service is delivered.
Service Period
The start and end dates for a specific bill. These dates are approximately the same each month.
Time of Use (TOU) Metering Charge
An additional service charge applied to all monthly bills during the summer season (June 1 through Sept. 30 for customers taking service under Schedule 25). This additional charge helps to recover the added cost of the TOU meters.
Time of Use (TOU) Rates
A rate system for agricultural and industrial customers, designed to reflect the higher energy costs during the peak months of the year (see Seasonal Rates) and hours of the day.
Both the energy charge and the demand charge for Schedule 19 and 25 customers (see Rate Schedule) vary during the following times and seasons:
Schedule 19
On-Peak = 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays
Mid-Peak = 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
Off-Peak = 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. all daysSchedule 25
On-Peak = 1 to 9 p.m. for all days including weekends and holidays
Mid-Peak = 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all days including weekends and holidays
Off-Peak = 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. for all days including weekends and holidays
For a more comprehensive definition of time-of-use billing, contact us.
Watt
The basic unit used to measure the amount of energy required to power an electrical device.
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