utility bill auditing Services

The key to energy refunds and lower utility costs

Utility Costs are a part of the operating costs of every business. Because we need heat, electricity, and water to run our businesses, most people give little thought to utility costs except in terms of conservation.

Most companies don’t realize that utility bill auditing companies can help save them thousands of dollars every year.

SM Engineering Co is an engineering consulting firm that specializes in reducing utility costs without cutting consumption of utilities such as gas, water, and electric. For over 45 years, we’ve been auditing utility costs and recommending rate changes to pass along savings and, in many cases, to obtain refunds for customer over-payments.

In fact, we have found that 8 out of 10 companies are not taking advantage of the lowest utility rates. Our extensive experience and knowledge of the utility industry can help businesses lower operating costs without changing or disrupting normal utility usage through a utility bill audit.

It may surprise you to know that utility companies make it the responsibility of the customer to select the appropriate rate structure for their business use.

Utility rate structures are based on complex calculations like time of day use, control demand, city/state charges, tariffs and seasonal applications. All of which can make selecting the appropriate rate confusing for anyone. This is where our professional rate analysts steps in to help your company.

How do we reduce your utility expenses?

So what can you do to make sure you are selecting the most appropriate service and stop paying more than you need to in your utility expenses?  There’s an easy, no obligation way to find out. Just contact SM Engineering Company for a free professional utility rate analysis

It starts with sending us a copy of your current monthly utility bill. Then, our auditing team will work with you in a series of 3 steps to reduce your utility costs and secure refunds of overpayment.

Here’s how we work with you

STEP 1

Utility Bill Analysis

Our Mechanical and Electrical Engineers carefully studies your gas, electric and water/sewer bills. Bills are checked for possible errors as well as factors such as meter constance, ratchet clauses, demand charges, seasonal applications, and city/state charges.

We also look for the highest allotted exemptions according to the current law. Then, we work with your utility company and the state directly to change the problem, and possibly secure a refund.

STEP 2

Rate Option Analysis

SM Engineering will then review different utility rate options and recommend the appropriate rate schedule for your usage at the lowest cost.

And we don’t stop there! We will continue to monitor your bills for the length of your agreement.

STEP 3

Cost Savings Equipment Recommendations

Our professional utility analyst might recommend equipment purchases that will pay for themselves through savings on a short term basis while still lowering your rates.

Don’t worry, we don’t sell you equipment or ask you to make changes to your operation. These are only suggestions to help you save money.

 

Contact us to schedule a no-risk, no cost utility bill audit!

Frequently asked questions about why utility bill auditing is important for businesses:

Are businesses overpaying on their utility bills?

Because customers are responsible for selecting the appropriate rate for their usage, many companies rely on the utility company to select their rate. ONLY UTILITY RATE EXPERTS with complete information and experience can analyze and audit your utility costs accurately to make sure you don’t overpay utility companies.

Are businesses overpaying on their utility bills?

Because customers are responsible for selecting the appropriate rate for their usage, many companies rely on the utility company to select their rate. ONLY UTILITY RATE EXPERTS with complete information and experience can analyze and audit your utility costs accurately to make sure you don’t overpay utility companies.

How do utility overcharges occur?

There are many factors that can lead to billing errors and overcharges on your utility bills. Miscalculations and misapplications can happen when computing various utility rates, tariffs, demand charges, fuel adjustments and surcharges.

Are utility companies purposely overcharging their customers?

No, almost all instances of overcharges are from human or computer error. There are many utility rate options available that require extensive utility analysis experience to select the best rate.

Can we analyze and audit our bills in-house?

Sure, but even when accounting departments do have the time, utility bill auditing often takes significantly longer than expected and puts them behind their regular duties. A utility bill analysis requires specific expertise.

Rather than burdening your busy accounting department and risking workflow disruptions, consider hiring SM Engineering’s professional and experienced auditing team.

Discover hidden profits!

Learning that you qualify for refunds or rate reductions is like discovering profits you didn’t know existed. The savings can lower your operating costs, boost your profitability, and benefit your business and employees without changing or interrupting normal usage.
Businesses that can benefit from a utility bill audit include:

  • Manufacturers
  • Property management companies
  • Food production facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Hospitals
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Apartment and senior living communities
  • ….and any property that uses utilities!

If you are interested in learning more about utility bill auditing services for your business, we can help.

We’ll get to know your business and then provide a free utility rate analysis.

We make it easy for your business to save money.

Find out if you qualify for rate reduction or a refund.

Get Your Free Utility Rate Analysis!

"Great job!!! This was well worth my time and effort. I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of the refund. Thanks again for all your hard work."


Stephanie L. Webb
C.L. Rabb Corrugated

SM Engineering Co.
2018-01-04T04:09:24-06:00

Stephanie L. Webb
C.L. Rabb Corrugated

"Great job!!! This was well worth my time and effort. I am pleasantly surprised with the amount of the refund. Thanks again for all your hard work."

"Working with SM Engineering has been a very rewarding experience. With little effort on my part, they have been able to obtain a sizable refund for my Company from the Duke Energy. Without their efforts we would have continued to over pay this bill. Thank for your help and insight."


Nina Hill - Vice President
Associated Posters, Inc.

SM Engineering Co.
2018-01-03T23:34:44-06:00

Nina Hill - Vice President
Associated Posters, Inc.

"Working with SM Engineering has been a very rewarding experience. With little effort on my part, they have been able to obtain a sizable refund for my Company from the Duke Energy. Without their efforts we would have continued to over pay this bill. Thank for your help and insight."
“Our location isn’t a huge operation, yet you were able to recover thousands of dollars for us, in which we were unknowingly getting over-charged. That was very much appreciated in itself, but even more to our surprise and satisfaction, our monthly bills are consistently much lower than they were prior to SM Engineering Company looking into our account.”

SM Engineering Co.
2017-09-12T16:21:55-05:00
“Our location isn’t a huge operation, yet you were able to recover thousands of dollars for us, in which we were unknowingly getting over-charged. That was very much appreciated in itself, but even more to our surprise and satisfaction, our monthly bills are consistently much lower than they were prior to SM Engineering Company looking into our account.”
“Bradken has had the good fortune to secure your services to help evaluate our utility contracts and rates on two separate occasions. The first time was several years ago where SM Engineering recovered well over $200,000 in overpaid taxes and invoice errors at our plant in Minneapolis. And now again, at our plant in Kansas, SM Engineering found where we had overpaid our natural gas invoices by over $100,000.”

John DeRossi
Bradken

SM Engineering Co.
2017-09-12T16:20:59-05:00

John DeRossi
Bradken

“Bradken has had the good fortune to secure your services to help evaluate our utility contracts and rates on two separate occasions. The first time was several years ago where SM Engineering recovered well over $200,000 in overpaid taxes and invoice errors at our plant in Minneapolis. And now again, at our plant in Kansas, SM Engineering found where we had overpaid our natural gas invoices by over $100,000.”
“Your expertise and professionalism, while conducting the audit, made it a pleasure to work with you and your organization. We would not hesitate recommending your company to anyone who may be interested in using your services.”

SM Engineering Co.
2017-09-12T16:20:03-05:00
“Your expertise and professionalism, while conducting the audit, made it a pleasure to work with you and your organization. We would not hesitate recommending your company to anyone who may be interested in using your services.”
“Through the review of our utility bills, your company was able to recover tens of thousands of dollars in taxes paid to the state, as well as enjoying a future reduction amounting to tens of thousands of dollars annually. The process was very simple, as your experts prepared the analysis with little effort on our part.”

Scott Kramer, VP of Finance & Administration
Wuxi AppTec

SM Engineering Co.
2017-09-12T16:19:08-05:00

Scott Kramer, VP of Finance & Administration
Wuxi AppTec

“Through the review of our utility bills, your company was able to recover tens of thousands of dollars in taxes paid to the state, as well as enjoying a future reduction amounting to tens of thousands of dollars annually. The process was very simple, as your experts prepared the analysis with little effort on our part.”
“I am writing to thank the SM Engineering Group for your services in regard to our utility bill audits for our manufacturing company. The process was well presented and went exactly as planned. In the end we received a refund exceeding 80k for past years. I would recommend SM Engineering for their professionalism and their expertise. They provide a service that the average company just does not have the staffing to perform.”

Dawn Miller, Accounting Manager
Amerilab Technologies, Inc.

SM Engineering Co.
2017-09-12T16:16:58-05:00

Dawn Miller, Accounting Manager
Amerilab Technologies, Inc.

“I am writing to thank the SM Engineering Group for your services in regard to our utility bill audits for our manufacturing company. The process was well presented and went exactly as planned. In the end we received a refund exceeding 80k for past years. I would recommend SM Engineering for their professionalism and their expertise. They provide a service that the average company just does not have the staffing to perform.”
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SM Engineering Co.

More resources on how to save you money on utilities

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We provide engineering studies to determine the appropriate exemption available based on the prevailing laws. We also make sure that you earn all the tax credits you qualify for.

Best Rate Options for Electric, Natural Gas & Water/Sewer

We check all rate options to ensure you are selecting the best rate for your usage. Per the Public Utilities Commission, it is the customer’s responsibility to select a rate; we make it easy!