Utility Data and Cost Control

Make utility bills understandable, keep utility data consistent, and identify the biggest cost levers (billing errors, demand, or rate plan).

CollectionCore

Why Utility Data and Cost Control Matters

Utility cost and utility data are a "double pain" for most teams:

  • Bills are paid every month, but the data isn't organized (so reporting and analytics break)
  • Billing errors and process gaps cause avoidable costs
  • Demand charges often dominate but get ignored because they "seem complicated"
  • Misaligned rate plans / tariffs add up quietly
  • Operational scheduling and controls are left on the table

This collection helps you build a repeatable system so you can: get the data reliably, QA it, use it for cost control, and reuse it for Scope 2 reporting without reinventing everything.

What This Collection Covers (Plain English)

You will learn how to:

Secure Utility Access

Stop "we can't get that bill" chaos.

Build a Clean Dataset

Monthly utility data with billing dates + kWh + evidence.

Identify Cost Drivers

Demand, rate plan, or operations problem?

Catch Billing Errors

Fast ROI from error detection.

Start Here (Best Order)

If you are new, follow this order:

  1. 1Utility access + inventory (accounts, owners, evidence folders)
  2. 2Build a clean monthly dataset (kWh + dates + evidence links)
  3. 3Compute the baseline metrics (blended $/kWh + demand share)
  4. 4Run billing error checks (fast ROI)
  5. 5Choose your lever (demand → peak mgmt, rate → tariff, ops → scheduling)
  6. 6Lock the routine into a monthly cadence (Carbon Close-ready)

If You Only Do One Thing

Create a monthly Utility Bill Review Log where each row has:

  • Billing period start/end
  • kWh
  • Total $
  • Evidence link
  • Computed blended $/kWh

That single table becomes the backbone for cost, QA, and Scope 2. Start with the Scope 2 Utility Data Pipeline Starter Kit.

All Utility Data and Cost Control Resources

1

Peak Demand Management + Load Shifting Playbook

Reduce demand charges by controlling peaks, smoothing loads, and shifting flexible usage (beginner-friendly, not engineering advice).

Playbook
60 min
2

Scope 2 Utility Data Pipeline Starter Kit

Build a defensible kWh dataset (with billing dates + evidence) that doesn't collapse under scrutiny.

Starter Kit
1 hour
3

Energy Tariff and Rate Optimization Playbook

Reduce utility costs by ensuring each account is on the right rate plan and you're not paying avoidable charges.

Playbook
45 min
4

Utility Responsibility in Real Estate

Who pays, who controls, who has the data — and how to map it fast.

Guide
Reference
30 min
5

Metering Strategy Playbook

Move from allocation to measurement: what to meter, where, and how to justify it.

Playbook
1 hour

Tools and Calculators (Ungated)

Blended Electricity Rate and Demand Share Calculator

Compute the two metrics that reveal your dominant cost driver.

Demand Charge Savings Estimator

Estimate savings from reducing peak kW (helps justify effort, controls, or metering).

Templates You Can Copy (High-Use)

These templates are designed to be copied directly into your operating trackers.

1. Utility Bill Review Log (Starter)

| Site | Utility provider | Account # | Period start | Period end | Total $ | Total kWh | Blended $/kWh | Demand $ | Demand % | Other $ | Issue found | Action | Owner | Due | Evidence link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|---:|---:|---|---|---|---|---|

2. Billing Error Checklist

Billing Error Checklist

Rate / classification
- Does the rate schedule/class match the site type?
- Any recent changes that need explanation?

Period integrity
- Billing period dates present?
- Overlaps or gaps vs prior bill?

Charges
- Demand charges present and consistent with expectations?
- Any unusual riders/fees?
- Late fees or penalties? (process issue)

Reads / usage
- Estimated read repeated?
- Usage spike/drop without explanation?

Evidence
- Bill PDF stored with stable link?
- Key fields captured (dates, kWh, $)?

3. Interval Data Request Email

Subject: Request: interval usage data export — Account [#], Period [start–end]

Hello,
Please provide interval usage data for account [#] for period [start–end].
Preferred format: CSV.
Please include:
- interval length (15-min/hourly)
- timestamps
- usage (kWh per interval) and/or demand (kW)

Thanks,
[Name]

4. Monthly Utility Review Agenda

Monthly Utility Review (20 min)

1) Top 5 cost sites this month (5 min)
2) Any major anomalies? (5 min)
3) Demand share leaders (peak targets?) (5 min)
4) Billing disputes and actions status (5 min)

Outputs:
- Updated bill review log
- Owners + due dates for actions
- Sites escalated to Peak Demand or Tariff review

Common Mistakes (Avoid These)

  • Tracking "monthly usage" without billing period start/end dates
  • Paying bills but not storing evidence (PDF/export) in a stable location
  • Ignoring demand charges because they "seem complicated" (they're often the driver)
  • Chasing tiny riders/fees while missing a misclassification or process-driven late fees
  • Comparing sites with different rate structures without noting it (apples-to-oranges)
  • Trying to optimize tariffs without reliable interval/bill data

What to Do Next

Choose the next collection based on what your numbers tell you:

Scope 2 Electricity (Made Simple)

If you need a clean reporting path for emissions.

Leased Assets Collection

If tenant-paid utilities and shared meters dominate.

Back to Run the Operation

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release