How to Read Your Bill

Your utility bill from the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) includes information on utility usage and charges for electric, gas, water, wastewater, storm drain and refuse services. We hope that this guide will help make understanding your bill as easy as possible.

Guide to Reading your Bill(PDF, 1MB)

If you don't receive a paper statement, you can access the information online. Visit your MyCPAU account online. 

Learn How to Read Your Bill

CPAU typically reads utility meters every month and assesses a bill for your utility consumption for that time period. The bill includes charges for utility services based on your rate plan and volume of use. View our current utility rates to see how it affects your bill. Here's what you'll see on your bill:

• At-a-glance account data -  Your account number and due date are included at the top of every page.
• Account summary - This will show you how much is due for your utilities account based on consumption for each utility service.
• Simplified usage graphs - These graphs can help you easily understand utility usage for current and past billing periods.

You can access your statement and find utility usage management tools in your MyCPAU online account.

What Factors Affect Changes in My Bill Each Month?

Some common factors that can affect usage and costs include: 

• Weather or temperature changes
• Seasonal usage (for example, heating during winter months, cooling during warmer months, seasonal water usage)
• Number of household members
• Type and age of appliances
• Decorative or recreational items such as pools or landscaping
• Items that use more energy than typical home appliances, such as electric vehicles
• Household members working or schooling from home

Ways to Save

City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) offers a variety of rebates, services and resources to help you save money at your home or business. In addition to reducing your utility bill, learn how to become more energy and water efficient and lower your carbon footprint.

Stay Informed

CPAU includes important messages in the Utilities and Community Announcements section of your utility bill, including updates on important news of interest, events, programs, rebates, utility rates, safety, and more. CPAU also delivers utility bill inserts each month with your paper bill and as a link to digital copies on our website if you receive an electronic bill. Additionally, we publish newsletters with the most current information about events, programs, rebates, and more.