How to Read a TXU Energy Electric Bill

Step 1

Read the chart under "Account Summary" on the first page of your bill for an overview of your charges for the current and previous billing cycles. The "Previous Balance" section gives the amount billed in the previous billing cycle, while "Credits/Payments" is the amount you paid for the previous cycle. "Balance Forward" is the difference between your previous balance and your credits. "Total Current Charges" gives the amount billed for the current billing cycle and "Total Amount Due includes current charges plus the balance forward. The "Due Date" section gives the date TXU must receive your payment for you to avoid late fees.

Step 2

Examine the graph titled "Your Electricity Usage" to compare your monthly electricity usage over the past year. Each bar on the graph represents the electricity usage in kilowatt-hours -- abbreviated kWh on the graph -- for the month listed below the bar. Use this chart to determine where high amounts of electrical usage come from. If your usage is highest in summer months, for example, your cooling system is a likely culprit.

Step 3

Read the information under the "Customer Communications" heading to the left of the usage graph for updates on your account and TXU services.

Step 4

Analyze the chart near the top of the second page of your bill to determine your electricity usage for the current billing cycle. The number under "Days in Reading" gives the number of days in the current billing cycle. According to TXU, this number typically varies between 25 and 35 days. "Previous Read Date" and "Current Read Date" are the dates your meter was read for the previous and current billing cycles. "Previous Meter Read" and "Current Meter Read" give the readings taken in kilowatt-hours. "Usage" represents the difference between the previous and current meter readings, or the amount of electricity you used during the current billing cycle. A multiplier is applied if the meter does not register the actual amount of energy used, and "Billed Usage" is usage times the multiplier.

Step 5

Examine the detailed list of charges beneath the usage chart on the second page to learn what charges comprise the total amount of your bill. The top of this list details the balance and payments from your previous billing cycle, as well as any balance carried forward to the current cycle. Any extra charges, such as late payment penalties, are listed beneath the "Debits/Charges" heading. The base charge, a fee assessed regardless of usage, and the charge for your monthly usage come next, under the heading "TXU Energy MarketEdge." If you purchase natural gas services from TXU, natural gas charges are listed as well. These charges fluctuate monthly based on the price of natural gas. Any other fees are listed under the heading "Other Fees and TDU Surcharges." TDU means Transmission and Distribution Utility. Sales tax is listed last and the total current charges and total amount due are summed at the bottom of the list.