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Kinetic Billing

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  • When is my first bill due?
    As soon as your transmission and distribution utility (TDU) reads your power meter, the readings are sent to us and we generate your bill and email it to you. Your due date is no sooner than 16 days from the date the email was sent. On your due date, funds are automatically charged to your credit card or withdrawn from your bank account. Easy!

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  • Can I change the Due Date on my bill? Can I have the same Due Date each month?
    The Due Date is determined by when your TDU reads your meter. The TDU will read your meter and send that reading to us. We then process your invoice and email it to you. Your Due Date will be no sooner than 16 days from the email date. Because your TDU does not read your meter on the same day of each month, your Due Date will change each month. Because of this we are unable to fix your Due Date to be the same date each month.

    If, however, your Due Date is inconvenient for a certain month, you can change it by simply logging into your Kinetic account at:
    https://kinetictx.com/account
    Click on the "Change Pending Payments" link and you will be able to change your Due Date up to 14 calendar days from your Original Due Date. There is no charge to change your Due Date provided the change is made at least 2 business days prior to the Original Due Date.

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  • Where can I see my itemized usage?
    Your emailed monthly invoice has the following link or you can access your account at: https://kinetictx.com/account. Click on this link and access your account. Then click on the "Invoice History" link and you will see a PDF document that shows the itemized billing and the meter reads for that particular billing period.

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  • How do I figure out my bill?
    Let's use this bill as an example.



    The Usage section at the top of the bill shows the current and previous meter reads and this customer used 325 kWh of energy during this billing cycle.

    The Kinetic Energy Charge line in the Charges section turns that usage into a dollar amount. This customer is paying an energy rate of 6.72 ¢/kWh, or $0.067200/kWh. We multiply the rate by the usage and we get $21.84. This customer chose a fixed rate plan so their rate will not change during the length of their contract with us. Their usage may increase next month, but $0.067200/kWh will not change.

    So, Kinetic Energy Charge = rate x usage

    The TDU Energy Charge is $10.34 and it's calculated by multiplying rate by usage but the TDU (transmission and distribution utility) rates are subject to change. Kinetic will never profit from a TDU rate change should one occur. We just pass those rates along to you at our cost.

    This customer was quoted a Total Energy Rate when they enrolled. That total is figured by adding $0.067200 (the rate in the Kinetic Energy Charge) to $0.031815 (the rate in the TDU Energy Charge).

    This customer also chose a plan that has a Minimum Usage Fee if usage is not at least 1,000 kWh in a billing period. The amount of the Minimum Usage Fee is plan and TDU specific and can be found in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) document. Please refer to your

    Add 'em all up and you get $42.18 - the Charges before taxes and fees sub-total.

    Add taxes and any other fees and the Total Current Charges of $42.68 is the amount due.

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  • I believe the kWh usage on my bill is wrong. What can be done?
    Usually, the mis-read is caught by the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) technician and a correction appears on next month's bill.

    If you still think there is a mis-read, we can request a re-read of the meter and an investigation will begin. Payment of your current bill will be suspended until the investigation is complete. If the meter was read incorrectly, there is no fee charged for the re-read and we will email you a new bill that includes the corrected reading.

    But if the meter was read correctly, your TDU will charge you a re-read fee which will be added to your bill.

    Oncor-$3.70 CenterPoint-$5.56 TNMP-$27.00 AEP Central-$16.00 AEP North-$16.00

    Your bill plus the re-read fee will be due immediately.

    Check out your TDU's website to learn how to read your meter and how to check if the meter was read correctly.

    You can also contact us and request a meter test but fees may apply if the TDU meter test results determine that the meter is working properly. The meter test will be free of charge if that meter has not been tested in the last four years.

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  • What is a "Minimum Usage Fee"
    The Minimum Usage Fee is a fee charged if your usage is less than a specified level in a billing period of 30 days or more. If your billing period is fewer than 30 days, the Minimum Usage Fee will be prorated based on the number of days in your billing period. Minimum Usage Fees do not apply if usage equals or exceeds the specified usage level in a billing period of 30 days or more or if usage averages more than prorated specified usage level per day in a billing period less than 30 days. The amount of the Minimum Usage Fee is plan and TDU specific and can be found in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) document.

    For example, if the specified usage level is 1,000 kWh and the Minimum Usage Fee is $10.00:
    1. If your usage for a 30 day or more billing period is less than 1,000 kWh, you will be charged a Minimum Usage Fee of $10 for that billing period.
    2. If your billing period is fewer than 30 days, the Minimum Usage Fee will be prorated if your usage averages out to less than 33 kWh per day (1,000 kWh/30 days). So, if your billing period was 15 days and your usage was 400 kWh, then your usage per day was 26 kWh (400 kWh/15 days). Because your usage fell below the 33 kWh per day mark, a Minimum Usage Fee of $5 (prorated fee based on number of days in the billing period) would be charged.

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  • Why am I not getting charged the rate that I enrolled for? Why does it say that my average rate is higher than my rate at enrollment?
    By law, we must include this "average price" on your bill but it's not the rate you signed up for when you joined Kinetic.

    This is how the average price is calculated.

    Average Price = Charges Before Taxes & Fees ÷ Usage

    Let's use this bill as an example. The average price is 12.98 cents per kWh.

    This customer was quoted a Total Energy Rate when they enrolled. The Total Energy Rate is the combined total of two rates: the Kinetic Energy Rate and the TDU Energy Rate.

    Using this bill as an example, this customer's Total Energy Rate is $0.099015 (9.90 cents per kWh) and it's figured by adding $0.067200 (the rate in the Kinetic Energy Charge) to $0.031815 (the rate in the TDU Energy Charge).

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  • I'm pretty sure I signed up for a fixed rate plan so why does my bill show an increase in "fees and charges?" Don't tell me Kinetic is just like the other guys!
    We're definitely not like the other guys! When you sign up for a fixed rate plan, your electricity rate will not change during the term of your contract. Look for your rate on the "Kinetic Energy Charge" line on your bill. You'll see your usage and your rate there too.

    Because there are two major categories of charges on your bill, we think it's important to be upfront about the difference between the Kinetic Charges and the regulated TDU Charges (transmission and distribution utility charges). And, it's important to know which charges can change.

    Kinetic Charges are rates from Kinetic Energy and will not change during your contract term. Kinetic Energy Charges reflect the rate you're paying per kWh. Rates included in the monthly plans may fluctuate on a month-to-month basis, but rates in fixed rate plans will not change during the contract term.

    Some charges will change and those will be clearly indicated as TDU Charges. TDU Charges are the fees and charges from your transmission and distribution utility (TDU), which is the company responsible for delivering your energy. You'll recognize these companies as Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North or TNMP. TDU charges may change during your contract term with Kinetic; however, these charges are regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), and any increase or decrease in delivery charges requires PUCT approval. The current TDU charges are shown on your bill as a TDU Energy Charge. Kinetic Energy only passes through those charges that the TDU charges us. We will not profit from any TDU charge increase if one occurs. TDU charges are subject to change at any time for all rate plans.

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  • Do you offer “levelized” billing?
    Kinetic does offer a levelized payment program. Sometimes called "average billing", levelized billing is based on your historical power usage and includes a reconciliation of "billed to actual" at the end of your contract.

    After you enroll with Kinetic, give us about 3 days to receive your switch or move-in date as well as your historical usage from your local transmission and distribution utility (TDU). Then, email us at customercare@kinetictx.com and we'll give you a levelized payment amount. Once you receive the estimated levelized price you will have the following choices:
    • agree to move forward on a levelized basis and pay based on your historical usage
    • continue with your enrollment at the levelized price, but pay based upon your actual consumption each month

    If you do not respond, you can continue with the enrollment, but have opted not to participate in the levelized billing program.

    Participation in the levelized billing program is contingent on enrolling in a Kinetic plan term of 6 months or longer and ontime payments over the course of that term. The difference between actual amounts incurred compared to the total levelized payments received will be reconciled at whichever is earlier: the Kinetic plan ending date, or the effective termination date due to a payment delinquency or changing to another retail electricity provider

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  • What do “Kinetic Energy Charge”, “TDU Energy Charge” and “Monthly Base Charge” correspond to on my invoice?
    Let's use this bill as an example. The Usage section at the top shows the current and previous meter reads and this customer used 325 kWh of energy

    during this billing cycle. The Kinetic Energy Charge line in the Charges section turns that usage into a dollar amount. This customer is paying an energy rate of 6.72 ¢/kWh, or $0.067200/kWh. We multiply the rate by the usage and we get $21.84. This customer chose a fixed rate plan so their rate will not change during the length of their contract with us. Their usage may increase next month, but $0.067200/kWh will not change.

    So, Kinetic Energy Charge = rate x usage

    The TDU Energy Charge is $10.34 and it's calculated by multiplying rate by usage but the TDU (transmission and distribution utility) rates are subject to change. Kinetic will never profit from a TDU rate change should one occur. We just pass those rates along to you at our cost.

    This customer was quoted a Total Energy Rate when they enrolled. That total is figured by adding $0.067200 (the rate in the Kinetic Energy Charge) to $0.031815 (the rate in the TDU Energy Charge).

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  • Why did I receive a bill from my previous provider?
    Take a quick look at the date of the meter read on that bill. It's probably your switch date from your old provider to Kinetic. Your transmission and distribution utility (TDU) read your meter on your switch date and sent that reading to your old power company and your old power company then generated your bill from that final reading. http://powertochoose.com/_content/_compare/questions_to_ask.asp

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  • I have a fixed rate but my rate has changed since I enrolled with Kinetic. Why?
    Regulated transmission and distribution utility (TDU) rates can change to reflect changes allowed by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) or to reflect changes in law. These changes may increase or decrease. We simply pass the TDU charges through to our customers and we never profit from an increase should one occur. The rate included in your "Kinetic Energy Charge" is fixed and will not vary.

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  • Do you provide a “LITE-UP Texas” Discount?
    Yes, if you enroll with Kinetic and qualify for the Texas low income discount program, LITE-UP TEXAS, your eligibility will be automatically checked each month and any applicable discounts will be reflected on your bill.

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  • What is a TDU and why are they charging me?
    TDU stands for transmission and distribution utility and it's also known as a TDSP or transmission and distribution service provider. You'll recognize these providers as Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North or TNMP. Because these companies are responsible for delivering your energy and are regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), any increase or decrease in delivery charges requires PUCT approval. Occasionally, TDU charges will decrease or increase and we pass those charges to our customers at our cost and without a markup. We will never profit from any TDU charge increase if one occurs.

    You'll see that the TDU Charge is broken down and shown separately on your monthly bill as a "TDU Energy Charge". The TDU Energy Charge is multiplied against your usage .

    Let's look at this bill to see an example of the TDU Charges:

    The Kinetic Energy Charge line in the Charges section turns that usage into a dollar amount. This customer is paying an energy rate of 6.72 ¢/kWh, or $0.067200/kWh. We multiply the rate by the usage and we get $21.84. This customer chose a fixed rate plan so their rate will not change during the length of their contract with us. Their usage may increase next month, but $0.067200/kWh will not change.

    So, Kinetic Energy Charge = rate x usage

    The TDU Energy Charge is $10.34 and it's calculated by multiplying rate by usage but the TDU (transmission and distribution utility) rates are subject to change. Kinetic will never profit from a TDU rate change should one occur. We just pass those rates along to you at our cost.

    This customer was quoted a Total Energy Rate when they enrolled. That total is figured by adding $0.067200 (the rate in the Kinetic Energy Charge) to $0.031815 (the rate in the TDU Energy Charge).

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  • I own on-site generation and my TDU recently installed a meter which can record both inflows and outflows of electricity. Do you provide any credits for such generation on my bill?
    We intend to net your consumption against your generation to determine your energy usage but we assume that for each month of billings, you are a net consumer of electricity (your total usage exceeds your total generation in a given period).

    The netting of your consumption and generation, as described above, will apply to the "commodity" (energy) portion of your bill and may, or may not, apply to the delivery charges portion of your bill (from your local transmission and distribution utility - or TDU), which we pass through at our cost. When you enroll with Kinetic, we fix your energy costs and pass through your delivery costs (TDU charges) at the prevailing regulated rates. Therefore, if your TDU does not net your energy as described above when determining your TDU charges, we must have the ability to pass through the relevant charges as incurred.

    Because these arrangements are relatively new, we would also need to reserve the right to update our policy related to these arrangements at any time.

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  • The bottom section of my bill mentions something about "the average price paid for electricity this month" but this rate doesn't match the rate I signed up for. What's going on?
    By law, we must include this "average price" on your bill but it's not the rate you signed up for when you joined Kinetic.



    This is how the average price is calculated.

    Average Price = Charges Before Taxes & Fees ÷ Usage

    Let's use this bill as an example. The average price is 12.98 cents per kWh.

    If you're on a fixed rate plan, you'll see this average price go down as your energy use increases.

    This customer was quoted a Total Energy Rate when they enrolled. The Total Energy Rate is the combined total of two rates: the Kinetic Energy Rate and the TDU Energy Rate.

    Using this bill as an example, this customer's Total Energy Rate is $0.099015 (9.90 cents per kWh) and it's figured by adding $0.067200 (the rate in the Kinetic Energy Charge) to $0.031815 (the rate in the TDU Energy Charge).

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Renewal

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Kinetic Billing Terms

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  • Units of measure
    There are 3 units of measure reflected on an invoice.
    kWh - Kilowatt-hour, the standard unit for measuring electricity energy consumption, equal to 1,000 watt-hours.
    kW - Kilowatt, the standard unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 watts
    kVa - Kilovolt-ampere , another unit for measuring electricity demand, equal to 1,000 volt-amperes. kVa is a measure of apparent energy, which is the product of current and voltage. To convert kW to kVa, the kW is divided by the power factor (the ratio of true power to apparent power).

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  • Charge Types
    There are 3 primary types of recurring charges.
    Base Charge - A charge assessed during each billing cycle without regard to the customer's demand or energy consumption.
    Energy Charge - A charge based on the electric energy (kWh) consumed.
    Demand Charge - A charge based on the rate at which electric energy is delivered to or by a system at a given instant, or averaged over a designated period, during the billing cycle.

    Recurring charges are divided into two categories.
    Kinetic Charges - A charge assessed by Kinetic for providing electricity.
    TDU Charges - Charges assessed by a Transmission & Distribution Utility (TDU) for the delivery of electricity to a customer over poles and wires and other TDU facilities. These charges are passed through to the customer by Kinetic and appear on the invoice without any mark-up.

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  • Specific Charges
    Some charges are identified separately on the invoice. Examples of such charges include:
    Late Payment Penalty - A charge assessed for late payment in accordance with Public Utility Commission rules.
    Sales tax - Sales tax collected by authorized taxing authorities, such as the state, cities and special purpose districts.
    Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Tax Reimbursement (abbreviated as Gross Receipts Reimb.) - A fee assessed to recover he miscellaneous gross receipts tax imposed on retail electric providers operating in an incorporated city or town having a population of more than 1,000.
    PUC Assessment - A fee assessed to recover the statutory fee for administering the Public Utility Regulatory Act.

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  • Minimum Usage Fee
    The Minimum Usage Fee is a fee charged if your usage is less than a specified level in a billing period of 30 days or more. If your billing period is fewer than 30 days, the Minimum Usage Fee will be prorated based on the number of days in your billing period. Minimum Usage Fees do not apply if usage equals or exceeds the specified usage level in a billing period of 30 days or more or if usage averages more than prorated specified usage level per day in a billing period less than 30 days. The amount of the Minimum Usage Fee is plan and TDU specific and can be found in the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) document.

    For example, if the specified usage level is 1,000 kWh and the Minimum Usage Fee is $10.00: 1. If your usage for a 30 day or more billing period is less than 1,000 kWh, you will be charged a Minimum Usage Fee of $10 for that billing period.
    2. If your billing period is fewer than 30 days, the Minimum Usage Fee will be prorated if your usage averages out to less than 33 kWh per day (1,000 kWh/30 days). So, if your billing period was 15 days and your usage was 400 kWh, then your usage per day was 26 kWh (400 kWh/15 days). Because your usage fell below the 33 kWh per day mark, a Minimum Usage Fee of $5 (prorated fee based on number of days in the billing period) would be charged.

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