Mock utility billing began 1 Oct for privatized housing residents Published Oct. 4, 2011 Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Over the next three months (1 Oct - 31 Dec), Nellis Family Housing residents will begin receiving mock utility bills for gas and electric usage. During this period, members will be able to compare their actual usage against the "utility allowance baseline" for their particular floorplan. There are 31 different floor plans in housing and the 31 utility allowance baselines are based upon actual family usage collected since 2007. Members who are curious can go into the housing office to see the actual historical usage of their home based on street address. During the "mock billing" period, residents who exceed their utility allowance will receive an energy study to determine and fix all factors contributing to overconsumption. Actual billing begins January 2012. These "mock bills" are solely informational and will show residents how much electricity and gas they are consuming, what that consumption costs, and how that amount compares to the Housing Utility Allowance they will be receiving. These "bills" will also contain information about how to conserve energy, familiarize residents with the billing process and offer training to help families learn to be more energy efficient. Nellis housing will use a third-party meter-reading service, Minol, for both the mock bills in 2011 and the actual bills, which begin in January 2012. This third-party consultant is an expert in energy billing and will manage the process like any utility company. (Note: residents are not responsible for water or sewer costs. Housing water meters are only used to isolate underground leaks, should they occur. Residents are also not responsible for utilities consumed in common areas or vacant houses.) A Housing Utility Allowance rate has been created for each of the 31 Nellis housing floor plans, taking into account home type, size and appliances. The rate for each floor plan was calculated by taking the average amount of actual electric and gas consumption for each specific floor plan, which was developed based on data that has been gathered from the homes since 2007, and adding on an additional 10 percent to account for seasonal changes. Residents will receive the same Housing Utility Allowance for their specific floor plan each month, regardless of weather conditions or season changes. Once actual billing begins in January 2012, residents will see their Housing Utility Allowance appear on their monthly utility statement, which will be mailed directly to each resident's home. (Note: Residents will continue to receive their full BAH amount, which will continue to be deducted from the senior military member's paycheck. This Housing Utility Allowance will not appear on the military member's Leave and Earning Statement.) A $50 variance is built into the monthly utility statement. This means that if a resident's bill is less than the amount of the resident's Housing Utility Allowance, then the resident will amass credit in his or her account. Once that credit reaches $50 or more, the credit will be paid via check to the resident. If a resident's bill is greater than the amount of the resident's Housing Utility Allowance, then the resident will amass debt in his or her account. Once that debt reaches $50 or more, the resident will be billed and will be responsible for paying that amount. If a resident chooses, he or she can sign up for the rebate accrual option. This means that in lieu of receiving a check every time the resident earns $50 or more in credit, the resident may elect to accrue his or her credit. Then, if the resident's bill in future months should exceed his or her utility allowance, the accrued credit will be applied to the exceeded amount. Residents may choose to opt in or out of this rebate accrual option once per calendar year. Those who elect to take part in this rebate accrual option will receive their remaining credit, or will owe their remaining debt, upon move out or transfer. For more information regarding the Housing Utility Allowance, the mock billing process or the monthly utility statement, contact the Nellis Family Housing office at 702-677-3660.
