Volts - The practical unit of electromotive force or potential difference. One volt will cause one ampere to flow when impressed across a one ohm resistor. A simple analogy can compare voltage to the pressure of water in a pipe.

Ampere (Amp) - The practical unit of electric current. One ampere is the current caused to flow through a resistance of 1 ohm by 1 volt. Amperage or current can be compared to the amount of water flowing through a pipe (conductor) per unit of time.

Watts - An amount of power, specifically electric power, expressed in watts or kilowatts. The electric power required by an appliance or device.

Watts = Volts X Amps

A simple analogy could equate voltage to the pressure of water in a pipe. Current is similar to the amount of water (charge) flowing per unit time.

Kilowatt - hour (kWh) - The most common unit of measure used to bill for electricity. The kWh measures the total work done. To calculate the energy used, multiply the rate of doing work (watts) by the total time during which the work was done. For example: a 100 watt light bulb operating for 10 hours equals 1 Kilowatt - hour.

One kWh = 1000 Watt hours

Energy - measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).

Rates - Your rate, or the price you pay for the electricity you use is determined through a cost of service study and approved by the Board of Directors that has been elected by the public. The rates of a public power utility are established to recover the costs of providing electrical service, without building in the profit margin or share holder dividends that must be considered in a private utility. The lower rates and local control are two of the major benefits of public power. Nebraska is the only state in the union that is wholly served by public power.

Summer / Winter Rates - Summer rates apply for use between June 1 and September 30, and reflect the higher costs associated with the increased demands for electricity during this time of the year in Nebraska.

Winter rates apply from October 1 - May 31, and reflect the cost of serving your electrical needs during those months when the peak demand is typically lower than the levels registered during the summer rate period.

Residential Rates - These rates apply to single family residences and individually metered apartments. Variations of this rate will be determined by an electric water heater serving the needs of the residence and the location of the residence in relation to the corporate limits established for the community.

Two of the primary components of a residential electric bill are:

Customer Charge for providing the meter and electricity service.

Energy Charge for the amount of electricity you use. The energy charge covers the costs from generation through delivery. The rates are charged on a per kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis and vary by season.

For more information on the factors that make up your billing, view NPPD's Standard Electric Rates Brochure.

For more information, contact an NPPD representative at 1-877-ASK-NPPD (275-6773).