Glossary of terms

Account Number

The unique number assigned to each SFE account.

Adjustments

Any amount adjustments made to your bill.

Amount Due

The amount you owe from your current bill.

Balance Forward

The difference between the previous amount due and the payment you made on your last bill.

Base Charge

A charge assessed during each billing cycle without regard to the customer’s demand or energy consumption.

Collections Recovery Fee

Charge imposed to cover the costs incurred by SFE while collecting past due amounts.

Current Charges

Amount owed for electricity charges for the most recent billing period.

Deferred Payment Plan

An agreement that allows eligible customer to pay an outstanding balance in installments that extend beyond the due date of the current bill.

Deposit

An upfront amount that customers may be required to pay before receiving electricity service. This deposit acts as a financial security measure for the provider, ensuring they have some protection in case of non-payment or late payments.

Disconnect Notice Fee

A fee imposed by SFE to cover the administrative expenses involved in processing and issuing a notice of impending disconnection due to non-payment.

Disconnect/Reconnect Fee

A fee charged by SFE for the issuance of a disconnect/reconnect order to the TDU.

Due Date

The date by which SFE must receive your payment to avoid late fees.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

ERCOT manages the flow of electric power to over 27 million customers in Texas, overseeing about 90% of the state’s electric load.

Electric Service Identifier (ESID)

Unique number assigned to your property address by your electric utility company. This identifier is used to track and manage your electricity service, switching energy providers, and metering usage.

Electricity Facts Label (EFL)

Standardized document that provides detailed information about an electricity plan including pricing, contract length, termination fees, and sources of power generation.

Electricity Usage

Electricity usage refers to the amount of electrical energy consumed by a household or business over a specific period. It is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Energy Charge

A charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (EECRF)

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s costs for energy efficiency programs, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Firm Point-to-Point Transmission Service Charge

A fee for reserving and using a dedicated, high-priority transmission path for electricity delivery from a specific source to a specific destination, with the guarantee that the service will not be interrupted except in case of emergency.

Invoice Date

Date your invoice was generated.

Kilowatt (kW)

Kilowatt, the standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 watts.

Kilowatt Hour (kWh)

Kilowatt-hour, the standard unit for measuring electricity energy consumption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours.

Late Payment Penalty

A charge assessed for late payment in accordance with Public Utility Commission rules.

Meter Charge

A charge assessed to recover a TDU’s charges for metering a customer’s consumption, to the extent that the TDU charge is a separate charge exclusively for that purpose that is approved by the Public Utility Commission.

Non-sufficient Fund Fees

Charges applied when your payment is returned unpaid or not processed.

Payment

A payment for electricity service involves the amount you pay to cover your energy consumption and any related fees or charges.

Payment Processing Fee

A charge for conducting a payment transaction with the assistance of a customer care center agent or if you submit payment on your account through any method other than Autopay.

Previous Balance

Unpaid balance from your previous billing cycle. This amount is added to the current bill and must be paid along with new charges.

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC or PUCT)

State agency responsible for regulating Texas’ electric, telecommunication, and water and wastewater utilities.

PUC Assessment

A fee assessed to recover the statutory fee for administering the Public Utility Regulatory Act.

Renewable Energy Charge

A fee assessed according to the terms of your electric service plan, which supports the development and integration of renewable energy sources.

Retail Electric Provider (REP)

A company authorized to sell electricity directly to consumers. REPs buy electricity at wholesale prices and provide competitive energy plans, rates, and customer service options.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities and special purpose districts.

Service Address

Unique physical location where electricity is delivered to a customer.

Service Period

Specific timeframe during which electricity usage is measured and billed.

Summary of Usage and Payment

A billing statement that offers a comprehensive overview of your electricity usage and payments over a specific period. This summary includes details such as the amount of electricity consumed, charges incurred, and payments made by you.

TDU Delivery Charges

The total amounts assessed by a TDU for the delivery of electricity to a customer over poles and wires and other TDU facilities not including discretionary charges.

Transmission and Distribution Utilities (TDU)

Companies responsible for delivering electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. They maintain the power lines, poles, and transformers.

Usage

Amount of electricity consumed during a specific billing period in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Usage Charge

A fee assessed during each billing cycle according to the terms of your electricity plan.

Vegetation Management Factor

A charge assessed by a TDU for expenses related to maintaining and clearing vegetation around power lines, to reduce power outages and ensure public safety.