Corporate classification errors
Every utility account records what kind of business it serves and how its energy is used. When that classification doesn't match how the facility actually operates, charges that should not apply can appear on every bill, often for years, without anyone noticing.
Why classifications go wrong
- The account was set up quickly, without the documentation the business was entitled to file.
- A new account number, meter exchange, acquisition or change of ownership reset the classification.
- The facility's operations changed and the account was never updated.
What to look for
- Compare charge lines across similar facilities. A line that appears at one site but not another is worth a question.
- Watch for new charges after an account change, move or acquisition.
- Confirm what documentation each utility has on file for each account.
Classification review is part of every Discovery audit. We identify the issue, handle the correction with the utility, and recover what can be recovered. You approve every filing.
Questions buyers ask
How is this different from rate misclassification?
Rate misclassification is about the rate schedule an account is billed on, usually driven by load. A corporate classification error is about how the business itself is recorded on the account: what the facility does and how its energy is used.
Can past overcharges be recovered?
Often, yes, within the recovery period that applies to the account. Once the classification is corrected, future bills are lower as well.
Find out what your bills should have cost.
Send one recent bill per site, or a list of accounts. We tell you where we expect findings before you sign anything. No upfront audit fee.