How to Read Your Bill

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Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Bill

 

  1. Address of the Montana-Dakota call center office.
  2. Your name and mailing address.
  3. Pay This Amount: The amount you owe Montana-Dakota for this billing period.
  4. Tear horizontally along perforation. The entire stub (upper portion) is to be returned to Montana-Dakota with your payment for prompt crediting of your account.The other numbers and letters that appear on the upper portion of your bill are for Montana-Dakota office purposes only. Please do not write on or make any marks on the upper portion of your bill.
  5. Account Name and Service Address: This number and name identifies your account on our records. It is the address where natural gas and/or electricity were used. We can serve you faster if you have this information available when you inquire about your bill.
  6. Billing Date: The date this bill was printed.
  7. Due Date: The date your bill for this month is due. A late payment charge may be added to overdue bills.
  8. Type of Service: A two-letter code indicates your type of service. An explanation of your code(s) can be found on the back of your bill.
  9. Reading Date: The date your meter was read.
  10.  Number of Days: The number of days between your present and previous meter readings. It shows the number of days of service covered by this bill.
  11. Meter Readings: These numbers are the dial readings which appear on the face of your meter.
  12. Difference: The amount of natural gas or electricity consumed. It is derived by subtracting the previous meter reading from the present meter reading.
  13. Billing Factor (natural gas only): You'll notice a "TF" is displayed in the "for" column and a factor in the "multiplier" column. "TF" stands for thermal factor. A thermal factor is a combination of the energy content of the gas and the average atmospheric pressure at your location. The volume of gas displayed in the "difference" column is multiplied by the thermal factor to provide the total decatherms (dk) used.
  14. Usage kwh-kw-dk: Shows the amount of electricity (kwh) and natural gas (dk) you used during the billing period. Residential accounts are not billed for electric demand (kw).
  15. Amount: Your total price for electricity, gas or other services.
  16. Utility Type: Natural gas and/or electric.
  17. Electric Cost of Fuel Adjustment and Purchased Gas Adjustment: The adjustments are shown per kilowatt-hour or per decatherm of natural gas used. These adjustments reflect changes in the cost of fuels and natural gas purchased by Montana-Dakota. Montana-Dakota receives no profit from these charges.
  18. Your Average Daily Usage This Month: These two figures show your average daily usage of electricity and/or natural gas during the current period.
  19. Your Average Daily Cost This Month: These two values show how much it cost you for electricity and/or natural gas for the average day during the current billing period.
  20. Temperature differences: This column compares the average temperature of the current billing period to your average temperature last month as well as last year.
  21. Inquiries: For any inquiries about your Montana-Dakota bill, use the address and/or telephone number listed here.
  22. Other Services: This part of the bill shows any business, other than gas or electric utility service, you may have transacted with the explanation given above. If you have questions about your bill, contact your local Montana-Dakota office. We'd be happy to help you better understand our billing procedures.