Frequently Asked Questions - Residential
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Although we rely on energy for so many things, few of us understand it. From time to time, you're bound to have questions about your bill, about payment options or simply about ways to save money by using energy efficiently. To help you quickly and easily find the answers you need, we've assembled these frequently asked questions. If you can't find what you need to know, use our search engine, go to our Brochure Center or contact us.
Electric bill payment options KCP&L's Average Pay Plan evens out seasonal ups and downs in your electric bill. We average your previous 12 months' billings to determine your plan amount. You'll pay the same amount each month for one year, making energy bills easier than ever to budget. At the end of each year, we'll recalculate and adjust your plan amount to reflect your actual usage and to include any credits or outstanding amounts on your account. To enlist, simply pay the Average Pay amount offered on your monthly bill or call (816) 471-5275, or toll-free (888) 471-5275. Easy Pay lets you automate your monthly electric bill payment. Each month, we'll send you a regular billing statement. Unless we hear from you, we'll deduct the amount due on the day it's due. Sign up online, or call 816-471-5275, toll-free (888) 471-5275 or e-mail to request an enrollment form. Yes. With AccountLink® Web pay, you can pay bills, monitor your electric service usage and check your account anytime, anywhere. To learn more or to sign up, go to AccountLink®. Have your KCP&L account number ready. Not at this time, but we are exploring how we might offer this option in the future. Kansas commercial customers can request a 14-day extension from the date the bill becomes delinquent. A 1% charge is added to each subsequent month's billing for as long as payments are made using the adjusted payment date. Currently, no such extension is available to Missouri customers. Where are my bill payment locations? If you prefer to pay your electric bill in person, you can do so at more than 40 convenient locations. Just take your monthly statement or your KCP&L account number to any of the locations listed. Some locations may charge a modest fee for processing your payment - never more than $1. Allow two business days for payment to be posted to your account. Who do I call with a question about my bill? For questions about your service account, about your bill or to start or stop service, call one of the numbers below. Representatives are on duty weekdays from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Automated service is available at any time.
What are the "demand" and "energy" charges on my bill? The demand charge reflects the demand you place on KCP&L's production and distribution system. It's measured on a separate meter that records both kilowatthours (total electricity used) and kilowatts (the maximum sustained rate at which the electricity was used). The higher the rate at which you use electricity, the higher your demand charge will be. What is the "Franchise Fee" on my bill? This is a fee charged to KCP&L by your city for our use of municipal rights-of-way in the delivery of electric service to your home or business. Like any tax, it's calculated by adding a percentage of the electric "sales" on your bill. This is a monthly charge to cover a portion of the fixed expenses KCP&L incurs each month in delivering energy to your home, regardless of how much energy you use. Some examples include meter reading, billing and our facilities and equipment installed at your premise. Why do some areas have different electric rates? The price you pay for residential electric service depends on many factors, but your service location has the greatest effect. KCP&L is subject to regulation in both Kansas and Missouri, so residents of each state have slightly different base pricing. The minimum monthly service charge is $5.78 in Kansas and $6.11 in Missouri. Many cities served by KCP&L add an additional tax or surcharge. Remember that all KCP&L pricing is approved by either the Kansas Corporation Commission or the Missouri Public Service Commission. The prices charged are approximately equal to our cost to provide reliable service. Can I calculate the cost to operate my electric appliances? Yes. Look for the wattage rating on the appliance's nameplate or in the owner's manual. Calculate operating cost as follows:
Or, try our easy-to-use "Energy Calculator" to estimate your monthly electricity usage. How can I lower my energy bill? Here are some proven ways to reduce energy costs: For more information on energy efficiency and cost savings, visit our Brochure Center. Should I leave my air conditioning on during the day or turn it off? We recommend dialing your air conditioner up to 80 or 85 degrees unless you plan to be away for more than two or three days. How much attic insulation is enough for best energy savings? Adding insulation is always a good idea and there are many types available. Each is rated
according to its R-value - the measure of resistance to heat flow. For Kansas City's climate, we recommend a minimum insulation value of R-38 in the attic. Should I close vents in unused rooms? You'll stay more comfortable if you keep all vents and inside doors open while heating or cooling your home. Most heating and cooling systems are designed to operate most efficiently when they're allowed to circulate and condition household air. Does it save money to turn lights off when leaving a room? Yes. Most household lights are incandescent. Any time you turn off a light you use less energy and save money. Dimming an incandescent bulb can also save money and will extend the bulb's usable life. Are ceiling fans an efficient way to keep my home comfortable? Ceiling fans help to circulate warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. While circulating air makes you feel slightly more comfortable, ceiling fans have no effect on the efficiency of your air conditioner or heating system. They can, however, help distribute warm and cool air more evenly which should allow you to increase your thermostat setting in the summer or decrease it in the winter. A heat pump is one system that doubles as both a traditional furnace and a central air conditioner. Instead of creating heat, it moves heat from one space to another. In summer, it collects heat and humidity from inside the home or business and moves it outdoors. In winter, it collects heat from the outside air or the ground and moves it indoors. Modern units operate at up to 200% efficiency, so you get about $2 worth of comfort for every $1 in operating costs. Today's heat pumps deliver greater year-round comfort at lower cost than any other heating or cooling device. Where do I buy heating and cooling equipment? To get the right heating and cooling equipment for your home, and to ensure the equipment is installed properly, always buy from a qualified dealer. KCP&L cannot recommend dealers, but we can provide you with a list of companies with technicians certified by the Refrigeration Service Engineer's Society (RSES). We recommend you contact at least three dealers for installation and cost estimates. What are the recommended efficiency levels for heating and cooling equipment? Heating and cooling equipment is rated according to industry standards for performance and efficiency. The higher the number, the more efficient the system. What size air conditioner do I need? That depends on the size of your home. An air conditioner that's too large will result in unnecessarily high operating costs. An undersized unit can't cool your home effectively or efficiently. The best way to determine the proper size is to have a qualified cooling contractor perform a cooling load calculation on your home. Call (816) 471-5275, toll-free (888) 471-5275, for a list of qualified dealers. Does KCP&L service appliances? No. As an energy provider, KCP&L's equipment and maintenance stops at the electric meter. Can you recommend an electrician? For liability reasons, we cannot recommend independent electricians. Check the yellow pages or other business directories. What does it cost to convert a gas yard light to electric? Converting a gas yardlight to high-efficiency, low-voltage electric costs about $160, but the conversion will save you operating costs in the long run. That's because double mantle gas lights cost more than $72/year to operate. Two, 25-watt low-voltage bulbs cost just $16/year. You'll pay for the conversion in two years and save about $60 per year every year after that. Call any qualified electrical contractor for an estimate. What does it cost to install and use outdoor security lighting? That depends on the size and type of security lighting you choose. KCP&L leases high-pressure sodium lighting for large areas like yards and parking lots. It's proven effective against crime and starts as low as $9 per month for our 70-watt lamp that covers up to 50 square feet. Our 400-watt lamp illuminates up to 180 square feet for as little as $25 per month. For more information and for exact pricing in your state, go to the Brochure Center and review either our Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting in Missouri or Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting in Kansas brochure. If my trees are growing into your power lines, will you trim them? KCP&L's line clearance specialists trim trees growing near our "pole-to-pole" distribution throughout our service territory on a regular three-year cycle. Since this is normal system maintenance, we mulch all trimmings and haul them away. If at other times you have trees growing within 10' of our "pole-to-pole" distribution, we'll trim back limbs so that you can safely trim the tree or have work preformed by a professional. In extreme storm situations, our crews clear away limbs or trees that pose a safety threat or that could contact or damage our facilities and interrupt electric service. Homeowners are responsible for removing tree trimmings and debris following storm damage. Can I request a new streetlight? Each city in KCP&L's service territory owns and maintains its own streetlight system. To request a new or additional streetlight, call the city in which the light would be located. To report a burned out or damaged street light within Kansas City, Missouri, please call (816) 513-9595. Outside Kansas City, Missouri, call (816) 471-5275, or toll-free (888) 471-5275. Return
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