Our Verification Methodology

Every bill we analyze goes through the same rigorous, six-step verification process. Here's exactly what we check and how we check it.

Guiding Principles

Independence

We have no relationship with any utility company. Our analysis is based solely on published tariff data and your bill.

Transparency

Every finding includes a confidence level and a clear explanation of how we arrived at it. No black boxes.

Accuracy Over Speed

We verify against primary sources — state-filed tariff schedules — not third-party rate databases or estimates.

The Six-Step Verification Process

1. Bill Parsing & Data Extraction

We extract every data point from your uploaded bill — account details, billing period, meter reads, usage figures, rate plan identifiers, and all individual line items. Our parser handles PDF, image, and scanned bill formats across 50+ utility company bill layouts.

  • OCR-assisted extraction for scanned documents
  • Cross-validation of extracted values against expected formats
  • Identification of billing period, meter read dates, and usage intervals
  • Detection of estimated vs. actual meter reads
2. Tariff Schedule Lookup

We match your bill to the correct tariff schedule filed with your state's public utility commission. Tariff schedules are the legally binding rate documents that define how your charges should be calculated. We maintain a database of current tariff schedules for every utility we support.

  • Rate plan identification from bill codes and account metadata
  • Cross-reference with state PUC-filed tariff documents
  • Seasonal rate period detection (summer/winter boundaries)
  • Tier threshold and baseline allocation verification
3. Independent Charge Recalculation

We independently recalculate every charge on your bill from scratch using the published tariff. This includes base/customer charges, energy charges across tiers, demand charges, fuel adjustment factors, surcharges, riders, and taxes. Each calculation is compared to the amount on your bill.

  • Base charge verification against rate schedule
  • Energy charge recalculation across all applicable tiers
  • Fuel/power cost adjustment factor application
  • Surcharge and rider verification (storm recovery, nuclear construction, etc.)
  • Tax calculation validation (state, local, franchise fees)
4. Rate Competitiveness Assessment

We calculate your effective cost per kWh and compare it to other available rate plans from your utility. This is an informational comparison — not a recommendation — showing you how your current plan's cost compares to alternatives you may be eligible for.

  • Effective $/kWh calculation including all charges and fees
  • Comparison against other residential rate plans from the same utility
  • Seasonal cost projection based on your usage pattern
  • Clear labeling of comparison as informational, not advisory
5. Anomaly Detection

We flag unusual patterns that may indicate billing issues: sudden usage spikes, estimated reads that persist across multiple billing cycles, charges that don't match the tariff, or fees that appear without explanation. Each anomaly is assigned a confidence level.

  • Usage pattern analysis against historical norms
  • Estimated read detection and frequency tracking
  • Charge-to-tariff mismatch identification
  • Unexplained fee or surcharge flagging
6. Report Generation

We compile findings into a structured report with clear confidence indicators. Each finding is categorized as confirmed accurate, potential issue, or requires attention. If issues are found, we provide specific next steps. If everything checks out, you receive written confirmation.

  • Finding-by-finding breakdown with confidence levels
  • Specific next steps for each identified issue
  • Rate competitiveness summary with alternative plan costs
  • Written confirmation when all charges verify correctly

Our Data Sources

We verify your bill against primary regulatory sources — not third-party databases or crowd-sourced rate information.

State Public Utility Commission filings

Legally binding tariff schedules filed by each utility with their state regulator

Utility rate schedules and riders

Published rate plans, fuel adjustment factors, and surcharge schedules

EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

Federal data on average rates, usage patterns, and regional benchmarks

Utility-published billing guides

Official documentation on how charges are calculated and applied

Confidence Levels in Our Reports

Every finding in your report includes a confidence indicator so you know exactly how certain we are about each result.

High Confidence

Exact tariff match found. Charge recalculated from published rate schedule with full data available.

Medium Confidence

Partial data available. Calculation based on best-match tariff or estimated parameters where exact values were unavailable.

Informational

Comparative data provided for context (e.g., rate competitiveness). Not a verification finding — provided for your reference.

What We Can and Cannot Verify

We Can Verify

  • Mathematical accuracy of all charges
  • Correct application of your rate plan
  • Fuel adjustment and surcharge calculations
  • Tax and fee accuracy
  • Rate competitiveness vs. other available plans

We Cannot Verify

  • Physical meter accuracy (requires on-site test)
  • Whether your usage was actually consumed by you
  • Future rate changes or regulatory decisions
  • Third-party supplier contract terms (deregulated markets)
  • Solar net metering credit accuracy (varies by installation)

Keeping Our Data Current

Utility tariffs change — sometimes quarterly, sometimes annually. We monitor state public utility commission filings and update our tariff database when new rates take effect. Every bill is verified against the tariff that was in effect during your billing period, not just the current rate.

If you receive a report and believe a tariff has changed since our last update, contact us and we'll re-verify at no charge.

See the Process in Action

Upload your bill and receive a verification report built on this methodology.

One-time $19.99 · No subscription · Full refund if we can't analyze your bill