If you have gasoline appliances, you will also have gas meters. The single top dial on a gas meter is used only for testing the meter and is not part of the reading. The dials are sometimes known as registers. Although gasoline is measured in cubic feet rather than kilowatt-hours, the meter dials work the same way (and are read in exactly the same way) as the dials on electric meters.

In large commercial buildings, the gas meter can be much more sophisticated, with two sets of dials much like the combined electric meter. This gauge, called a trim gauge, also adjusts (“compensates”) when gasoline pressure or temperature at the site varies from normal conditions. Of the two sets of records, one will be marked as “Uncorrected” or “Uncompensated” and the other will also be marked as “Corrected” or “Compensated”.

Read the “Corrected” meter to find out your gas usage; The utility company uses the “Uncorrected” dials to verify the meter. In all cases, gasoline consumed is measured in cubic feet or cubic feet per hour (cfh). However, rates may depend on therms. (1 therm equals 100,000 Btu, or about 100 cubic feet). In our sample bill, cubic feet are converted to therms to determine the cost of gasoline fuel.

The gas company (in this case, Nicor ​​Gasoline of Chicago, Illinois) estimates that organic gas a customer uses represents about 75 to 80 percent of the gas bill for more than a year. As a regulated utility company, it does not earn revenue from the actual price of gas and must pass it on without margin.

METER READING SECTION:

The “Current Reading” is determined by one of three methods: An actual meter reading means that your reading was taken by a company meter reader or recorded by an automatic device. The complete reading from the customer means they have reported their meter reading to the utility company. An estimated meter reading means that the company (in this situation, Nicor) calculated the reading based on past use and also the weather.

Nicor ​​calculates most of the meter readings against each other per month; then, on the next bill, any distinctions from actual usage are automatically corrected when an actual meter reading is taken. The “Previous Reading” can be the full gas meter reading within the last reading period. The “Difference” can be the amount of difference between the previous reading and the current reading. To calculate the number of therms used, the company (Nicor) multiplies its use by the Btu factor.

The Btu element may vary from month to month and is indicated on the invoice. “Delivery Charges” are Nicor’s costs to operate and distribute gas to you. These charges represent about 15 to 20 percent of the gas bill for more than 1 year.

Monthly customer charge:

This is a minimal cost for most customers and is the same every month, even if you don’t use natural gasoline that month. For customers of the “Rate 4” company (from Nicor), this charge is based on the size of your meter and the maximum potential hourly use of organic gasoline, in cubic feet per hour (cfh). Most of the company’s clients fall into the “less than 1,000 cfh” category.

The client’s costs are:

Less than 1,000 cfh: $ 20.37

1,000 cfh to 10,000 cfh: $ 59.82

More than 10,000 cfh: $ 105.56

THERMAL USE / DISTRIBUTION charges:

These costs cover fixed and variable (Nicor) operating and distribution costs. A portion of these costs carry over from month to month, depending on the amount of organic gas you use. You will find price variations at certain levels of therm usage.

The volumetric shipping costs are:

First 150 therms at $ 0.1329

Next 4,850 therms @ $ 0.0682

Much more than 5,000 therms at $ 0.0482

ENVIRONMENTAL RECOVERY Cost:

This charge covers our costs for environmental monitoring and feasible cleanup of old manufactured gas plants in our service territory. This charge changes periodically and Nicor ​​receives no income from these charges.

FRANCHISE Price:

Covers our cost for municipal franchise contracts. Nicor ​​does not receive income from this position.

ADJUSTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY:

This adjustment covers government fees and additional expenses, excluding franchise expenses. This price changes periodically and Nicor ​​does not earn revenue from this cost.

TAXES:

Gasoline bills also consist of a series of taxes; in the situation of Nicor’s clients, these taxes represent five to 10 percent of a client’s total bill for a year. In Illinois, where Nicor ​​Gas is located, you will find three different types of state utility taxes and two municipal taxes.