Metering, Billing and Payments
For Residential Electric Customers
- Info on Residential Metering
- Info on Sealing and Unsealing Meters
- Access to Premises Policy
- Info on Budget Billing
- Info on Net and Gross Billing
- Info on Automatic Payment Plan
- Info on Cold Weather Protection
- Info on Billing Units of Measurements
- Info on Energy Basics
- Info on Billing Terms Used
Owatonna Public Utilities meters all consumption of services. Monthly billings are mailed out within 2 working days of our staffs reading of the meter. Meters are read over approximately 18 working days a month. The meters are generally read on the same working day of the month, so the billing and payment due date remains somewhat consistent for the customer.
Generally the meters are located outside with the exception being the water meter being located in the basement and remote read placed outside.
Info on Sealing and Unsealing Meters
A customer requesting the seal or unseal of a meter for their convenience, will be charged a fee of $10.00 plus tax per meter which will be added onto the customer's monthly bill.
When unsealing meters at the time of a move order, no unseal fee will be charged.
Installing or removing meters (not new construction) are also subject to this fee.
Clarification:
Trailer Courts: When a trailer is removed from the trailer court, the meters are usually sealed at the request of the owner of the trailer. The owner of the trailer has no responsibility to the trailer court once the trailer has been removed. The billing system must retain those services in the someone's name, so we seal and transfer all meters into the trailer court's name. The Sealing charges must be billed to the owner of the trailer (disconnecting customer if done at the time of a move order) not the trailer court.
Sealing and unSealing meters for non-payment of bills or Sealing and unsealing by authorization of the Administrative Supervisor are not subject to these seal/unseal fees.
ACCESS TO PREMISES - OWATONNA PUBLIC UTILITIES has the right of access to the customer's premises at reasonable times for the purpose of installing, reading, inspecting, or repairing any meter devices and other equipment used in connection with furnishing of any or all service or for the purpose of removing its property and for all other proper purposes. Refusal to allow O.P.U access to equipment will result in disconnection of service.
Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) offers eligible customers the opportunity to pay Utility bills on a flat amount per month.
ELIGIBILITY
- Establishment of 12 month consumption history.
- Received no more than one termination notice during the prior 6 months.
ON OR OFF PLAN
ON - When eligible to go on the plan the customer will be advised and may exercise the option by paying the budget amount.
OFF - At any time a customer may request to be taken off the plan by notifying the Utilities. When a customer comes off budget billing the accounts receivable balance becomes due. If the account shows a credit, it is refunded to the customer.
PAYMENT BASICS
The monthly amount is the average of the total prior 12 months billing. The budget payment amount is adjusted for Utility rate changes when applicable.
It is the policy of the Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) to offer their customers a net rate and a gross rate. The purpose of making a net and gross rate available to our customers is to encourage the prompt payment of all utility bills so that the majority of the customers can enjoy a lower utility cost since the Utilities is able to recover their costs sooner.
Procedure
- Bills for utility services will be rendered monthly.
- The term "monthly" for billing purposes will mean the period between and two consecutive readings of the meter. Such readings are to be taken as nearly as possible every 30 days.
- Failure to receive a bill does not exempt the customer from the provisions of these terms and conditions
- When OPU is unable to read meter after reasonable effort, the customer will be rendered an estimated bill. The subsequent billing will adjust any estimate previously billed.
- The customer shall receive a bill which shows the net amount for each commodity for each billing period and a gross amount for the total statement.
- Payments are due within 15 days after the billing date for customers with annual electric usage greater than 480,000 KWH. Payments for all other customers are due within 28 days after the billing date. A review will be made annually, in May, to determine which accounts should be reclassified. A variance of 10% is allowed in making reclassifications.
- When bills are paid on or before the due date, only the net bill will be collected. If the bill is paid after the due date, the gross will be collected.
- When the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, payments will be accepted on the next regular working day on a net billing basis. No due dates will be scheduled for the first 3 days of any month.
- In order for a payment to be considered on time, it must be received in the OPU business office on or before the due date. Postmarks will not be considered as proof of timely payment.
- The gross billing shall be the net billing plus 5% on the first $100 and 2% on the amount in excess of $100 per utility.
- Sales Tax is exempt from the gross billing adder.
- A customer is only subject to the gross billing when they pay late more than once within the preceding 12 month period.
Info on Automatic Payment Plan
NOW YOUR BANK, SAVINGS AND LOAN. OR CREDIT UNION CAN PAY YOU UTILITY BILL STRAIGHT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY.
YOU MAY NEVER SEND OWATONNA UTILITIES ANOTHER CHECK!!!
Just sign up for the Automatic Payment Plan with your bank, participating savings and loan, or credit union. They will automatically deduct the amount of your utility bill from your checking account. This service is available to you right now, no matter how you've been paying your utility bills. The Automatic Payment Plan lets you authorize the transfer of funds automatically from your account. The amount deducted will be shown on your monthly bank statement. Just think, from now on, no more checks to write, no stamps, no trip to pay your utility bill in person. With this new service, you'll still get your bill and have time to review it before it's paid. Plenty of time to contact us if you like. To save yourself time and bother, just step in to fill out an authorization agreement and leave a VOIDED check. We'll do the rest.
HOW YOU WILL BE BILLED
You will receive a statement from Owatonna Utilities during the same time frame
you are currently receiving your statement. Your bill will resemble a regular bill and will identify the amount to be deducted from your account on the scheduled payment date. This will provide you time to review your bill.
HOW TO STOP A PREAUTHORIZED PAYMENT
You have the right to stop any of the previously authorized payments from your account by contacting us or your financial institution. The stop payment request must be made at least 7 business days or more before the payment is scheduled to be made. If you call, we may also require that you put your request in writing within 14 days after your call. You will still be responsible for payment of your bill. Please contact your financial institution for your rights.
NOTE: Continue to pay your bill in the normal manner until you receive a statement with the words "BANK PAID" printed on the stub.
Q. What is the Automatic Payment Plan?
A. The Automatic Payment Plan provides Owatonna Utility customers the ease and convenience of preauthorized bill payment without waiting in lines or mailing your payment/.
Q. How Does it work?
A. Upon completion of the enclosed authorization form, Owatonna Utilities notifies your financial institution that you wish to have your utility bill payment drawn directly from your checking account. Each month, 6 days before your due date, Owatonna Utilities; will notify your financial institution of the amount that must be subtracted from your account. Your financial institution will then withdraw this amount on your due date.
Q. How much will it cost me to sign up for this service?
A. There will be no charge from Owatonna Utilities. In fact, you will save money by not paying for postage if you presently mail in your payment. Please check with your individual financial institution for information regarding their processing fees.
Q. How will I know if my bank, savings and loan, or credit union offer this service?
A. This new plan differs from other preauthorized payment plans in the most financial institutions(banks, savings and loans, and credit unions) are able to offer this service to their customers.
Q. What will my monthly bill look like?
A. On the stub portion of your statement, it will identify that you are a BANK PAID customer. The net amount will be deducted from your account on the due date shown on your statement.
Q. What happens if I do not agree with my bill?
A. If you feel that your bill is in error, call our office at least 7 business days before the scheduled payment date and ask that the account be reviewed for correctness. If your bill is found to be incorrect, your automatic payment amount will be adjusted accordingly.
Q. How will I know that my financial institution paid my bill?
A. The automatic payment plan works like a check in every way, except that instead of receiving a cancelled check with your monthly financial statement the paid draft will appear as a line item on your statement in the same way that automated teller transactions appear.
Q. What do I do if I change financial institutions, or move from one location to another?
A. Contact our office as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide your complete new savings, checking, or credit union account number, or your address change information.
Q. How can I sign up?
A.
- Carefully review the authorization form.
- Fill in all the information on the agreement.
- Bring in your completed authorization form with a voided check.
Q. After I return the form, when does the Automatic Payment Plan begin?
A. After Owatonna Utilities receives your completed form, you continue to pay your bill in the normal manner until you receive a billing statement that has the words "BANK PAID" printed on the stub portion., This is usually the first statement after signing up/.
Q. Can I use the Automatic Payment Plan if I am on the Budget Billing Plan?
A. Definitely! In fact, the Budget Bill Plan and the Automatic Payment Plan compliment one another. The stability of an average bill and the convenience of Automatic Bill Payment make a nice combination.
Q. Will I be charged a late charge if my bill is paid after my due date?
A. No. You never pay a late charge on the Automatic Payment Plan.
Q. How can I cancel the Automated Payment Plan?
A. The authority you give to charge your account will remain in effect until you notify us or your financial institution, in writing, to terminate the authorization.
Info on Cold Weather Protection
Notice of Residential Customer Rights
The Cold Weather Rule governs disconnection of residential utility customers who are unable to pay for utility service during cold weather. To be eligible for Cold Weather Rule protections, a customer's account needs to be current as of October 15. The Cold Weather Rule applies from October 15 to April 15.
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of your rights and responsibilities under the Cold Weather Rule. If you choose not to assert your rights or choose not to enter into a mutually acceptable payment agreement, your service may be disconnected.
THE RIGHT to declare your inability to pay your utility bill. If you declare Inability to Pay, you must enter into a payment schedule with the Owatonna Public Utilities to maintain your service. You have the right to appeal any proposed disconnect to OPU. You will have to provide proof that you are unable to pay and were current in payments to us. Your service will not be disconnected until this appeal is resolved. Appeals are resolved locally.
THE RESPONSIBILITY, if you prove Inability to Pay, to complete the "Inability to Pay" form and return it to the Owatonna Public Utilities within 10 days. If you are receiving Energy Assistance or any form of public assistance and can document that for us, you do not have to fill out an Inability to Pay form. If you mail this form or can prove your receipt of public assistance, you must also contact the Owatonna Public Utilities to arrange a payment plan.
THE RIGHT to a mutually acceptable payment schedule with the Owatonna Public Utilities. This payment schedule will cover your existing arrears plus the estimated usage during the payment schedule period. If you are able to pay but still wish to enter into a payment schedule, contact the Owatonna Public Utilities immediately to arrange a schedule. (This payment schedule may be arranged by your designated third party.
THE RESPONSIBILITY of making payments as agreed or promptly notifying the Owatonna Public Utilities why you cannot keep the agreement. You may then request that the original payment schedule be changed. Any change is initially subject to the Owatonna Public Utilities' approval.
THE RIGHT to request that the Owatonna Public Utilities notify a third party if your service becomes subject to disconnection. If you have requested a third party notification, a copy of this notice has been sent to the third party.
THE RESPONSIBILITY to receive Budget Counseling from the local energy assistance provider or other financial counseling organization.
Where Can You Receive Financial Assistance?
If you need help paying your gas or electric heating bills, you may qualify for state or federal assistance. For complete qualifications and application information, contact the SEMCAC - Fuel Assistance office at 1-800-944-3281 or 507-451-7134.
Other organizations that may be able to assist you are:
Steele County Human Services 1-507-444-7500
The Salvation Army Heat Share Program 1-800-842-7279
Info on Billing Units of Measurements
Therms and kilowatt hours are basic units of gas and electricity. They are used on your bill to show how much gas and electricity you have used.
CCF (Water) - Your water meter measures the volume of water you use in hundreds of cubic feet(CCF). One CCF water equals 748 gallons. One CF equals 7.48 gallons.
CCF (Natural Gas) - Your gas meter measures the volume of natural gas you use in hundreds of cubic feet(CCF). The difference between prior and present meter readings is your usage in hundreds of cubic feet. (CCF or therms)
Kilowatt-hours - The basic unit of electric power is the watt. But because a watt is small, a unit called a kilowatt is used for measurement. One kilowatt is 1,000 watts.
The amount of electricity recorded by your meter reflects the wattage rating of lights and appliances in your home and the length of time you use them. This is expressed in kilowatt hours (kWh). For instance, a small portable heater rated at 1,000 watts and operated for one hour would use on kWh; so would ten 100-watt light bulbs.
The difference between prior and present meter readings equals the number of kWh you used.
Below are some basic facts about the terminology that describes the different types and amounts of energy you use.
- Amps x Volts = Watts
- kW x Hrs = kWh
- 1000 Watts = kW
- 1Btu = the heat needed to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit (1 btu./lb. x degree F).
Conversion Factors:
- 100 cubic feet = 1 CCF
- One CCF = 100,000 Btus
- One therm = 100,000 Btus
- One kWh = 1,000 Watts = 3,413 Btus
- 100,000 Btus/therm divided by 3,413 Btus/kWh = 29.3 kWhs/therm or CCF
- One gallon of water weighs 8.33 Lbs.
- One cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons, 1 CCF = 748 gallons
- One hundred cubic (CCF) feet of water = 748 gallons
ECI - ENERGY CONSERVATION INVESTMENT - EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2002. The 2001 Minnesota omnibus bill requires Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) to invest 1.5% of our gross electric revenue and .5% of our gross natural gas revenue in energy conservation programs each year. This amount is being collected from all OPU customers and will be used for approved energy conservation programs for our customers. Any unused funds at year end are turned over to the State. We will attempt to answer questions concerning the omnibus energy bill.
EAA & PGA - ENERGY ACQUISITION ADJ AND PURCHASED GAS ADJ are the adjustments that take into effect the change in costs of purchasing energy and natural gas. Costs above or below the established base rates are calculated and applied each billing period.
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Owatonna Public Utilities
P.O. Box 800 Owatonna, MN 55060-0800 |
Phone: 1-507-451-2480
Fax: 1-507-451-4940 |