A Comprehensive Guide:

Service Classes

Con Edison offers three different service classes for customers in New York: residential, commercial, and industrial. These classes are based on how you use energy, so it's important to make sure you're in the right one. If you're using energy for both home and business purposes, you may still qualify for the residential class as long as your usage is below a certain threshold.

Residential service is designed for customers who use energy primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. This includes single-family homes, apartments, and other residential dwellings.

Commercial service is designed for customers who use energy primarily for commercial, institutional, or other non-residential purposes. This includes small businesses, retail stores, restaurants, and other commercial buildings.

Industrial service is designed for customers who use energy primarily for manufacturing or other industrial purposes. This includes factories, plants, and other industrial facilities.

*** A Special Update regarding the Guarantees Savings Plan for Residential & Small Commercial Con Edison Natural Gas Customers Who Use less than 7500 Therms Annually***

Two Rate Types:

On the PSC website, customers will see two different rates. It's important to note:
Lower Rate: This is for Flat Load customers.
Higher Rate: This is for Heat Load customers.

Rate Determination:

Assigned by Con Edison: The rate type a customer receives is determined by Con Edison, based on their energy usage.

Heat Load vs. Flat Load:

Heat Load Customers: Typically use natural gas primarily for heating purposes.
Flat Load Customers: Use natural gas more evenly throughout the year.

Key Points:

Rate Class Determination: ABC Energy does not assign these rate types; this is solely determined by Con Edison.
Check Con Edison Bill: Customers can determine their rate type based on their usage pattern, or by looking at the service class description. Heat loads will have the words Heat or Heating in the description while Flat loads will have the words Non-Heat or Non-Heating in the service class description.
Lower vs. Higher Rate: The lower rate on the website applies to Flat Load customers and the higher rate to Heat Load customers.

Zones

Con Edison divides New York into different zones based on location. This can impact your energy costs, so it's important to know which zone you're in. There are seven different zones in Con Edison's service territory, including Zone J, Zone K, and Zone L.

Zone J covers Manhattan and parts of the Bronx and is typically the most expensive. This is due to higher demand and higher operating costs in these areas. Zone K covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens and is less expensive than Zone J but more expensive than other zones. Zone L covers parts of Queens and Long Island and is typically the least expensive due to lower demand and lower operating costs.

Other zones in Con Edison's service territory include Zone G, which covers Westchester County, Zone H, which covers parts of Rockland County, Zone I, which covers Staten Island, and Zone A, which covers parts of the Bronx.

Rate Classifications

Con Edison offers different rate classifications for customers in New York. These include time-of-use, fixed rate, and variable rate.

Time-of-use charges different rates depending on the time of day you use energy. This can be a good option if you're able to shift some of your energy use to off-peak hours, such as overnight or on weekends.

Fixed rate charges a fixed rate regardless of when you use energy. This can be a good option if you prefer a predictable monthly bill.

Variable rate fluctuates based on market conditions. This can be a good option if you're comfortable with some variability in your bill and want to take advantage of lower rates when they're available.

Historically Expensive and

Least Expensive Zones

Zone J is historically the most expensive zone in Con Edison's service territory because it's located in Manhattan, which has higher demand and higher operating costs. Zone K is less expensive than Zone J but more expensive than other zones. Zone L is historically the least expensive because it has lower demand and lower operating costs.

Other Factors That Impact Your Energy Costs

Your usage patterns, the season, and the weather can also impact your energy costs. For example, if you use more energy during peak hours, your bill may be higher. Similarly, if you use more energy during the winter months when heating is required, your bill may be higher. Additionally, extreme weather events, such as heat waves or blizzards, can also impact your energy costs.

Understanding your energy bill in New York can be complicated, but it's important to know the basics. Keep in mind your service class, zone, and rate classification, and don't forget to consider other factors that can impact your energy costs. If you have questions about your bill or want to learn more about how to save on your energy costs, contact Con Edison customer service for assistance.