Understand Your Bill
Energy terms and ideas can be challenging. Here’s a quick guide to what your bill is telling you.
Bills are even easier online.
Typical Bill Breakdown
Your SCE bill features details and information about usage, charges, and account information. Even though your bill might look different than the one below, here are some of the key sections you’ll find on most bills:
Your Account Information

You’ll find your Customer Account number in this section, which you may need if you contact Customer Service or other SCE representatives. You’ll also find your Rotating Outage Group number and POD ID if you are a CCA customer.
Your Account Summary

This shows what you owe, when it’s due, and last month’s charges and payment status.
Compare the Electricity You Are Using

Track and compare your energy usage over time.
Payment Stub

Paying by mail or in person at a payment agency? Submit this stub with your payment. It shows the amount you owe and your payment’s due date.
Details of Your New Charges

Our TOU plans feature different rates based on the time of day. By taking advantage of lower rates during off-peak and super off-peak periods, you can avoid higher weekday rates when energy resources are in demand. This section of your bill shows your usage and total cost broken down by peak period to help you manage your energy costs. If your bill looks different, scroll down to view Bill Breakdowns below.
Details of Your TOU Bill

This shows what you owe, when it’s due, and last month’s charges and payment status. If you are on an NEM rate your bill may look different. Scroll down to view Bill Breakdowns below.
Bill Breakdowns
View full bill breakdowns for each type of bill.
- Time-of-Use (TOU) Bill Guide
- Tiered Bill Guide
- Non-Residential Time-of-Use (TOU) Bill Guide
- CCA Bill Guide for Residential
- CCA Bill Guide for Non-Residential
Net Energy Metering (NEM) BiIl
These rate plans are for customers who generate power using solar or other renewables.
NEM 1.0 Bill Guide (for residential and small business customers who received permission to operate on or before June 30, 2017)
NEM 2.0 Bill Guide NEM 2.0 applies to residential and small business customers who received permission to operate on or after July 1, 2017 and applied for interconnection prior to April 15, 2023.
SOMAH-VNM Bill Sample applies to multifamily and virtual net metering solar projects.
California Climate Credit
Wondering why you received a credit on your bill? The California Climate Credit is part of California’s efforts to fight climate change.
This credit comes from the California Cap-and-Trade Program, which requires power plants, fuel providers, and large industrial facilities that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution allowances. The credit on your bill is designed to help utility customers during the transition to a low-carbon future. Households and small businesses will receive the credit twice a year in the spring and again in the fall. You can use these savings to further reduce your energy costs and help fight climate change.
Learn more at cpuc.ca.gov/climatecredit.
Utility User Tax (UUT) and California Climate Credit / Greenhouse Gas FAQ
What is a UUT?
A UUT is a tax levied by a city or county on your electric bill. It is established by tax ordinances in the city or county where you reside. It is not a tax levied or determined by SCE.
Does a UUT apply to all customers?
No. Not all cities and counties have a UUT. Currently only 79 cities and counties in SCE’s service territory levy a UUT, so not all SCE customers pay UUT.
What is changing?
Historically, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Climate Credit was applied to your energy charges prior to calculating any applicable UUT. UUT now will be calculated on energy charges before the Climate Credit is applied. This change affects residential, small commercial, and emission intensive and trade exposed customers that receive a GHG Climate Credit.
Why is this happening?
A city challenged SCE’s method of calculating UUT. SCE agreed to change its method on a going forward basis.
Who should I contact with questions about UUT charges on my bill?
All questions about UUT should be directed to the appropriate city or county finance or treasurer’s office. SCE is not able to answer questions about UUT.
What is a Greenhouse Gas Climate Credit?
For information on this State of California initiative, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/climatecredit
Why do energy bills change every month?
There are lots of factors that can affect your monthly bill. To get the most out of your energy expenses, there are three key things you’ll want to consider:
Your Rate Plan
We offer a variety of energy plans to fit different lifestyles. Be sure to review the options to find the best one for your household.
Home Energy Efficiency
Everything from the appliances and electronics you use to the insulation in your walls can affect your bills. Our Home Energy Guide offers practical advice and simple tips to conserve energy.
Find Ways to be More Efficient
The Seasons and AC/Heating
Costs can jump during summer or winter months if you use electricity for your cooling or heating. If you are a residential or commercial GS-1 customer and would like your bills to be more predictable, you may be interested in our Level Pay Plan. To enroll, call us at 1-800-434-2365.
Learn More About The Level Pay Plan
Concerned about energy theft?
If you're seeing out-of-the-ordinary electrical usage, see our Energy Use page for possible causes. Energy theft, although rare, is a possibility. You can take the following steps to determine if electricity is being stolen, but you will need to turn off the electricity to your house - make sure you can do this without harming people or equipment.
- Turn off all sensitive appliances and electrical equipment.
- Find your breaker box and turn off all the breakers.
- Look around to see if somebody else's electricity (i.e., visible lighting or equipment) goes off when you turn off your breakers.
- Examine your electrical meter. With your breakers off, your kilowatt hour display (the screen with “001” in the upper left-hand corner) should stop increasing.
- If the display is still increasing, or if you notice that somebody else's electricity has gone out when you've turned off your own breakers, you should call your local police department to report the possible theft.
If you think that somebody is stealing electricity from you, notify local police. Do not attempt to confront individuals in person.
Tools To Help Manage Your Bills
We offer a variety of energy saving plans, rate programs, and rebates that can help you lower your bill.
Rate Plan Comparison Tool
The Rate Plan Comparison Tool can provide you with a personalized comparison between your current rate plan and other rate plan options. Compare rates to see which works best for you.
Energy Management Center
Find information about the latest technologies and programs that can help you cut costs and save energy in your home.
Visit the Energy Management Center