Understanding Your Electric Bill

Here is a deeper look into where each charge comes from on your monthly bill and ways you can impact your energy usage to save money. View a sample bill breakdown (PDF).

Supply & Distribution

Your monthly bill reflects costs from both the supply and distribution of electricity. Supply is the actual cost of buying the electricity you use in your home. Electricity is purchased from a variety of sources, and that cost is directly passed on to customers.

Distribution covers all associated costs beyond supply, including the costs of building, maintaining, and operating the distribution system that delivers reliable service to your home, as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Here is a breakdown of the common charges you will see on your residential electric bill.

Bill Charge Snapshot

Charges Not Affected by Energy Usage

The Customer Charge includes the costs of customer service and the billing process. This charge varies depending on your rate class. Your energy usage does not affect this charge.  

Charges Affected by Energy Usage

Your monthly electric usage is measured by kilowatt-hour (KWH). Your total KWH usage will appear on your bill. The charges listed below are based on your monthly KWH usage. By lowering your monthly electricity usage (KWH), you can reduce these charges.

  • Distribution Energy Charge: Costs for distribution, operations, and maintenance.
  • Electrification Efficiency Charge:  Costs to provide RMLD energy efficiency, electrification, rebate, and incentive programs. These programs are available to RMLD customers.
  • Fuel Charge:  Power supply energy costs. These costs are passed on to customers with no additional fee.
  • NYPA Credit:  Credit for residential customers resulting from the purchase of hydroelectric power from the New York Power Authority. This credit will show as a negative charge on your bill.
  • Purchase Power Capacity and Transmission Charge:  Power supply capacity and transmission costs. These costs are passed on to customers with no additional fee.

Ways To Save

Adjust Your Habits

Customers can lower their electric usage and reduce their bills by adopting a few simple habits. These small changes can make an impact on your monthly bill:

  • Adjusting thermostats by a few degrees lower in the winter and higher in the summer.
  • Running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads
  • Sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts
  • Maximizing natural light during the day

Participate in Energy Efficiency Programs

RMLD programs make it easier to reduce your monthly electric usage and lower your bills.

  • Installing a smart thermostat or a load management device (view available rebate) can lead to reduced monthly usage (KWH), which will impact your costs.
  • Participating in RMLD's Shred the Peak program, including Connected Homes, helps to reduce usage during peak demand hours, which can help lower our overall capacity and transmission costs. (RMLD passes those savings to you!)
  • Taking advantage of RMLD rebate or incentive programs to upgrade to a more efficient heat pump or appliance can also reduce your monthly usage (KWH).

Enroll in the Time-of-Use Rate

  • Different from our standard rate, the Time-of-Use rate has two fuel charge rates: one that is higher than the standard rate during on-peak hours when electricity is in high demand, and one that is lower than the standard rate during off-peak hours when electricity is not as in demand.
  • This rate may help customers save money on their electric bill if the majority of their energy usage typically occurs during off-peak hours. To maximize savings on the Time-of-Use rate, we recommend using energy-intensive appliances during off-peak hours, such as electric vehicle chargers, air conditioning and HVAC systems, and large household appliances like washers, dryers, and ovens.
  • Contact Customer Service Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 781-942-6598 to switch to Time-of-Use. 

Prompt Payment Discount

  • A 15 percent discount is applied if payment is received by the discount date indicated on the bill. Prompt payment discount is only applied to the Customer Charge and Distribution Energy Charge.

Additional Credits or Charges on Your Bill

Additional Bill Charges Snapshot

Renewable Choice Charge

  • Customers who opt in will see this charge to bring their monthly electricity usage to 75% or 100% renewable / non-carbon. Funds from the Renewable Choice Program will be used to retire additional NEPOOL GIS-compliant renewable certificates, specifically Mass Class 1 certificates.
  • You may enroll in Renewable Choice by contacting Customer Service during regular business hours (Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm) at 781-942-6598

Energy Received Credit

Connected Homes Credit

  • Customers enrolled in our Connected Homes program will see a quarterly bill credit that reflects the incentive for participating devices in the previous quarter.