Methods: Bill check
household.bill-totals.check · Version 0.1.0
Method
Check the periods first (overlaps, duplicates, periods over 45 days, a month that reads like an extra digit, negative kWh). Then price each period on the tariff: the fixed charge, each tier's kWh at its rate, and the minimum bill, in exact micro-dollars rounded to the cent line by line. A period that crosses a season splits its kWh and tier allowances by days. Time-of-use bills are priced from the kWh in each period as the bill prints them.
Assumptions
- The tariff is the one in force for the whole period; a rate change within a period is treated like a season change only when it is entered as one.
- A tier allowance stated per day is multiplied by the days in the period.
- The effective price uses the amounts paid when every period has one, otherwise the computed bills.
Sources
- OpenEI Utility Rate Database (URDB), snapshot 2026-10, Energy rate structure, weekday and weekend schedules, fixed and minimum charges
- OpenEI, Utility Rates API documentation, version 7, Field definitions: energyratestructure (rate, adj, max, unit), fixedchargefirstmeter, mincharge
Worked examples
| Example | Independent source | Tolerance | Last result |
|---|---|---|---|
| A tiered bill: 800 kWh with a $10.00 fixed charge | household/bill-totals spec, scenarios "Tiered bill" and "Effective price" | ±0.001, ±0.001 | Passed on Oct 31, 2026 |
| A period crossing summer start | household/bill-totals spec, scenario "Period crosses summer start": 480 kWh at 10 cents and 420 at 14 cents | ±0.001 | Passed on Oct 31, 2026 |
| Paid $131.40 against $115.00 computed | household/bill-totals spec, scenario "Paid more than computed" | ±0.001, ±0.001, ±0.001 | Passed on Oct 31, 2026 |
Known differences from reference engines
None recorded.
Cite this tool
Bill check, version 0.1.0. gridprims. https://gridprims.com/tools/household/bill-totals/check/