Use a yearly total

The yearly total is the quickest way to start: one number, often printed on the bill or on the utility’s account page as the usage for the last 12 months.

Enter it

1. Open Usage and pick Yearly total

   Open Usage and pick Yearly total.

2. Type the number

   Type the kWh in Per year. Know only a typical month? Type it in Per month, average — the yearly number follows, and the other way round. You can also drag the slider.

How Cali-Graf uses it

The bill calculation needs usage for every billing period and every hour. From the yearly total Cali-Graf takes the typical shape of the year for Los Angeles homes that use about as much — more in summer when the air conditioning runs — and splits the total into the utility’s billing periods. More in How the hourly usage profile is built.

Bills are better when you have them

A yearly total says how much, not when. If the customer runs a pool pump all summer or heats with electricity in winter, the typical shape misses it, and so does the bill estimate. When you get the bills, switch to Bills — see Enter usage from bills.