Fictional worked example

Check whether daily electricity use really rose

After a meter-reading date changes, two bills cover 28 and 35 days. Both periods average 8 kWh per day.

Open Calculator

Inputs and calculation

28 versus 35 days
Tool inputValue
CurrencyUSD
UtilityElectricity (kWh)
Previous usage224
Current usage280
Previous flat rate (USD/unit)0.25
Current flat rate (USD/unit)0.25
Previous bill (USD)66
Current bill (USD)80

Usage: (280 − 224) × 0.25 = 14. Rate: 280 × (0.25 − 0.25) = 0. Actual bill difference: 80 − 66 = 14. Residual: 14 − (14 + 0) = 0. All effects are in USD.

Tool result · USD 14.00

Normalize the current bill to 28 days at the same daily use
Tool inputValue
CurrencyUSD
UtilityElectricity (kWh)
Previous usage224
Current usage224
Previous flat rate (USD/unit)0.25
Current flat rate (USD/unit)0.25
Previous bill (USD)66
Current bill (USD)66

Usage: (224 − 224) × 0.25 = 0. Rate: 224 × (0.25 − 0.25) = 0. Actual bill difference: 66 − 66 = 0. Residual: 0 − (0 + 0) = 0. All effects are in USD.

Tool result · USD 0.00

What the comparison shows

A 25% larger usage total reflects 25% more billed days. Neither daily rate of use nor the unit price changed in the sample.

Assumptions and limits

The Detective uses period totals. Divide by days separately, and compare like-for-like weather and occupancy where relevant.

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