Understanding Your RECO Bill:
If you're a Rockland Electric Company (RECO) customer, you may have noticed that your energy bill contains several charges and fees, making it a bit confusing to understand exactly what you’re paying for. With the various components like supply and delivery costs, it’s important to grasp the structure of your bill to manage your energy expenses effectively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to read your RECO bill and explain the difference between supply and delivery charges to help you better control your energy use.
Understanding Your RECO Bill
Your RECO bill is more than just a monthly payment notice—it’s a snapshot of your energy consumption, helping you understand how much energy you use and what it costs. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of your bill:
Account Information:
This section contains your unique RECO account number, the billing period, and the payment due date. Keeping this information handy ensures you can manage your payments and account details effectively.
Energy Usage:
RECO reads your meter regularly to track your electricity consumption. Your bill will clearly display your usage for the billing cycle, allowing you to compare your current usage with previous months and seasons. This is helpful for identifying any changes in your energy habits.
Charges Breakdown:
The charges breakdown provides a detailed account of your energy costs, separating them into supply, delivery, taxes, and other fees. This transparency helps you see where your money is going and how the charges are structured.
Payment Options:
RECO offers several payment methods to make it easy for you to pay your bill. You can set up automatic bill pay using a bank account, credit card, or debit card. You can also pay online, by phone, or by mail (check or money order). Their online portal allows you to manage your payment preferences and account details with ease.
The Difference Between RECO Supply and Delivery Charges
To understand your RECO bill more thoroughly, it’s essential to know the difference between supply and delivery charges.
Supply Charges:
Supply charges cover the cost of generating or purchasing the electricity you use. RECO does not generate electricity itself; instead, it purchases energy from suppliers. In New Jersey, which has a deregulated energy market, you can choose a third-party Energy Service Company (ESCO) for your electricity supply. If you do so, RECO will still be responsible for delivering the energy to your home.
Delivery Charges:
These fees cover the cost of delivering electricity from RECO to your home, including maintaining the infrastructure, such as power lines and substations. These charges are regulated and are generally consistent to ensure reliable service.
Comprehensive RECO Charges Overview
Your RECO bill consists of various components that contribute to your total energy costs. Here’s an outline of what you might see:
Supply Charges: The cost of producing or purchasing the electricity you consume.
Delivery Charges: These fees cover the transportation of electricity from the supplier to your home and maintaining the grid.
Customer Charges: A fixed monthly fee that helps cover the administrative costs associated with managing your account.
Taxes and Fees: State and local taxes based on your energy usage and location.
Other Charges: This section may include late payment fees, charges for special services, or fees for equipment upgrades, such as meter replacement.
Energy-Saving Strategies
By lowering your energy consumption, you can reduce your RECO bill while contributing to a greener environment. Here are a few practical strategies to help you save:
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can cut down on electricity usage significantly, leading to long-term savings.
Unplug Unused Electronics: Turning off and unplugging devices when not in use can prevent unnecessary power consumption.
Install a Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat can help you reduce energy costs by adjusting your heating and cooling systems based on your daily schedule.
Maximize Natural Light: Utilize daylight to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day, cutting down on electricity use.
Seal Air Leaks: Properly insulating your home and sealing any air leaks can help maintain a stable indoor temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
Finding Your RECO Account Number
Your RECO account number is essential for managing your energy services and making payments. Here’s how you can easily find it:
On Your Paper Bill:
Your account number is located at the top of your bill, making it easy to reference when contacting customer service or making a payment.
Online Account Management:
If you’ve registered for online account management with RECO, you can log in to your account dashboard, where your account number will be displayed prominently on the main page or in the account settings.
RECO Mobile App:
For customers who use the RECO mobile app, your account number is readily available in the account overview section, allowing you to access it anytime.