Why “We Already Review Our Utility Bills” Might Be Costing You Money
When we speak with property managers and manufacturing facility teams, one of the most common responses we hear is:
“We already review our utility bills internally.”
That’s great; staying on top of your utility costs is a smart move. But here’s something many companies don’t realize:
An internal review typically isn’t enough to catch billing errors, outdated tariffs, or avoidable charges.
At SM Engineering, we take a different approach. We specialize in utility bill audits that go beyond usage trends; we focus on the fine print that affects what you’re actually paying per unit of usage on your electric, natural gas, and water/sewer bills.
Why Internal Utility Reviews Aren’t Enough (But Still Matter)
Most internal reviews focus on consumption patterns:
- Was usage unusually high this month?
- Was there a production change or equipment issue?
- Did weather impact heating or cooling loads?
These are all smart and necessary questions – and they reflect a proactive internal process. But where savings are often missed is in the structure and strategy behind the charges, not just the amount of usage.
Common hidden issues include:
- Outdated or misapplied tariff structures
- Hidden or unnecessary rider charges
- Incorrect service classifications
- Utility billing errors that no longer reflect operational changes
Without a deep understanding of regional utility rate filings, regulatory changes, and tariff updates, these hidden costs are easy to miss because they’re often buried in the details.
🔎Fast Facts on Utility Bill Errors
- Over 80% of utility invoices contain at least one billing discrepancy over a 3-year period.
- The average savings from a professional utility bill audit ranges from 5–15% of total annual utility expenses.
- Most companies review usage, but not cost structure or regulatory compliance.
The Most Common Utility Billing Errors We Catch
Misapplied Tariff Structures
Being placed on the wrong rate structure can result in thousands of dollars in unnecessary
charges each year.
Unnecessary Rider Charges
Add-on riders and fees often continue to appear on invoices long after they are no longer applicable.
Service Classification Issues
Facilities are sometimes billed under incorrect service categories, which can inflate fixed fees and base charges.
“We found your expertise and knowledge on the utility review process produced a very generous credit back to our company. I am certain we would not have been able to achieve the same results on our own.”
— Craig Allen, Chief Financial Officer, Branding Iron Meat Company
How a Utility Bill Audit Builds on Your Internal Efforts
At SM Engineering, our goal isn’t to replace your team’s hard work – it’s to build on it. You’ve already created a strong foundation by tracking usage and monitoring trends internally. We bring in a second layer of detailed audit expertise to ensure that your billing structure, classifications, and tariff applications are fully optimized.
Whether you manage multiple properties or operate a manufacturing facility, partnering with a utility bill specialist ensures that nothing is overlooked and that you’re not leaving money on the table.
No Cost. No Disruption. Just Answers.
Here’s what you can expect from a professional utility bill audit with SM Engineering:
- A no-cost utility bill review (only if savings are found do we proceed further)
- A detailed report highlighting any billing errors, outdated tariffs, or hidden charges
- Corrective action handled on your behalf if needed
- Ongoing support to secure refunds, corrections, and future cost savings
You don’t have to pull historical files, create reports, or change your energy provider. Simply send us a recent month’s bill and we take care of the rest.
What Our Clients Say
“Halverson and Blaiser Group manages over 2,000 apartment homes … for obvious reasons, we have worked with SM Engineering to keep a pulse on energy savings for our clients, investors, and partners.”
— Clinton T. Blaiser, President and CEO, Halverson and Blaiser Group LTD
Curious What We Might Find?
If you’re confident your bills are already optimized, we’re happy to confirm it. But if you’re even slightly unsure, it’s worth letting a specialist take a second look. After all, the cost of doing nothing might be hiding in plain sight month after month. Contact us today to schedule a quick, no-obligation utility bill audit.
