Totaling types

Each tariff component in SkyBill uses a totaling type to define how quantities are calculated for billing. A totaling type determines what SkyBill measures and how the system interprets meter data, fixed values, or formulas to calculate charges. By selecting the correct totaling type, you ensure that each tariff component reflects the logic behind your utility billing model.

Item	Qty	Unit of measure	Rate	Amount
Electricity consumption	100	kWh	$0.15/kWh	$15.00
Water consumption	50	m3	$1.00/m3	$50.00

Totaling types make SkyBill flexible enough to support a wide range of billing scenarios used by utility companies. You can apply them to measure direct consumption, calculate fixed daily fees, distribute bulk readings, or create advanced formulas that combine several components. This approach allows SkyBill to handle both simple and complex pricing models, from standard water or electricity tariffs to multi-apartment allocations and time-of-use billing.

When setting up tariff components, you can choose from multiple totaling types such as Consumption, Days, Formula, Bulk Consumption Allocation, or Time of Use, depending on how you need to measure or allocate usage. Each totaling type serves a distinct purpose and can be combined with others to achieve precise, transparent billing results.

To set up a totaling type

1. Select Search (Alt+Q) in the upper-right corner, enter Tariff Components, and then choose the related link.
2. Select an existing tariff component or choose New to create a new one.
3. On the Utility Tariff Component Card page, in the Totaling Type field, select the totaling type that best fits your billing scenario.

To learn more, see Tariff components.

Totaling types overview

Each totaling type defines a specific method for calculating quantities or charges in SkyBill. Depending on how consumption is measured or how costs are allocated, you can select the totaling type that best suits your billing scenario.

Tip

SkyBill is designed to be flexible and adaptable to various billing scenarios. This applies to the totaling types. Each time you create a new tariff component, remember that the three most commonly used options are Consumption, Days, and Formula. Start with the three most common options and consider others only if these three do not meet your requirements.

The following table provides a quick overview of all available totaling types and their primary purpose.

Totaling type	Description
Billing Months	[Add description]
Bulk Consumption Allocation	Allocates the bulk meter’s total consumption to each supply. SkyBill applies an allocation key to calculate the proportion. For example, it can allocate based on the size of each supply address.
Bulk Difference Allocation	Distributes the difference between the bulk meter total and the sum of submeter readings. Often used to manage heat losses.
Bulk Difference Allocation Exclusive	[Add description]
Consumption	Calculates the consumption by comparing the current meter reading with the previous one.
Days	Charges a daily amount regardless of consumption. Typically used for standing or administrative fees.
Fixed	Applies a fixed amount per billing period, independent of the number of days or usage.
Formula	Calculates the quantity using a custom formula that combines other tariff components or constants.
Highest Value	Uses the highest recorded meter value during the billing period. Typically for peak demand electricity charges.
Margin	[Add description]
Monthly	[Add description]
Related Utility	[Add description]
Seasonal Time	[Add description]
Spot	Uses smart meter interval data (for example, every 15 minutes) to calculate charges based on spot prices.
SUB	[Add description]
Table	Determines quantities based on data from a specific table and field, such as headcount recorded on the supply address page.
Time of Use	Applies different rates for different times of day or seasons. Commonly used for electricity tariffs to reflect off-peak and peak rates.

Understanding complex totaling types

Some totaling types are straightforward, while others require more context to understand how they work in real billing scenarios.

Bulk Consumption Allocation

Apply an allocation key to distribute the bulk meter's total consumption to each supply address. This approach uses the bulk meter as the basis for calculation, treating its reading as the total consumption. A practical example of using the Bulk Consumption Allocation totaling type is when you allocate total hot-water heating usage in a multi-apartment building. Instead of billing each apartment based on its submeter reading, you can allocate the total consumption recorded by the bulk meter among all apartments based on their size (square metres) or the number of occupants.

Important

Bulk Consumption Allocation, Bulk Difference Allocation, and Bulk Difference Allocation Exclusive totaling types are designed to work with bulk meters. A bulk meter is a meter that measures the total consumption for a group of supply addresses, such as all apartments in a building. The bulk meter is linked to a bulk meter point, while each apartment has its own submeter linked to a submeter point. The bulk meter point and submeter points are all part of the same meter point group. Make sure to set up the meter point group correctly to use these totaling types.

How to set up Bulk Consumption Allocation

After selecting Bulk Consumption Allocation as the Totaling Type on the Utility Tariff Component Card page, you need to define the allocation key. The allocation key is the basis for distributing the total consumption among the submeters. To set it up, you need to select one of the options in the Allocation Key field:

• Sub Meter Consumption allocates the total consumption recorded by the bulk meter based on the consumption recorded by each submeter. This means that apartments with higher consumption will receive a larger share of the total.
• Sub Meter Sq. Meters allocates the total consumption based on the size of each apartment in square meters. Square meters are specified in the Space field on the Supply Address Card page.
• Sub Meter Point Equal allocates the total consumption equally among all apartments, regardless of their consumption or size.
• Sub Meter Headcount allocates the total consumption based on the number of occupants in each apartment. You need to specify this number in the Headcount field on the Supply Address Card page.

Note

You cannot create new keys to be used in the Allocation Key field. SkyBill has a predefined list of allocation keys that are not editable.

Bulk Difference Allocation

Distribute the difference between the bulk meter total and the sum of submeters. SkyBill allocates this difference proportionally among all submeters based on some allocation key.

Note

The only difference between Bulk Consumption Allocation and Bulk Difference Allocation is that in the first one, SkyBill allocates the total consumption recorded by the bulk meter. In contrast, in the second case, SkyBill allocates only the difference between the bulk meter and the sum of the submeters.

SkyBill treats bulk meter readings as the total consumption for the entire building, while submeter readings only reflect individual apartment usage. Typically, the bulk meter is owned by the utility company, and its readings reflect the actual quantities delivered to the building. In most cases the utility company has much easier access to the bulk meter, while individual apartments may have submeters that are less accessible. The bulk meter reflects the quantity for which the utility company must be compensated.

Note

The fact that the readings from the bulk meter are considered the definitive reference for the utility company is crucial. This means that in some cases, the difference between the bulk meter and the sum of submeters can be negative. In such cases, SkyBill uses the allocation key to calculate the negative amount that is to be applied to the individual apartments. Such a situation can occur when customers enter submeter readings manually. In such cases utility companies typically expect the customers to enter the readings in a specific time frame. If some customers delay with the submission of their readings, it can lead to discrepancies. Occasionally, the sum of sub meters can be higher than the bulk meter reading, which leads to negative differences.

Set up the allocation keys in the same way as for the Bulk Consumption Allocation totaling type. To learn more, go to the How to set up Bulk Consumption Allocation section.

Example scenario: Managing heat losses in multi-apartment heating systems

When you provide heating to a multi-apartment building, the heat is distributed through a central system. Each apartment has its own submeter to measure the heat consumption. However, the total heat recorded by the bulk meter (which measures the heat supplied to the entire building) is often higher than the sum of the readings from all submeters. This difference occurs because of losses in the heating system, such as heat escaping through pipes, or because of heating shared spaces like stairs. In such cases, you can use the Bulk Difference Allocation totaling type to allocate this difference proportionally among all apartments based on some parameters, such as apartment size (square meters).

Days

Charge a daily amount, regardless of consumption. The number of days is equal to the billing period length in days, unless you turn on the Use Fixed Days toggle on the Utility Tariff Component Card page. For example, if the billing period is one month, the number of days varies from 28 to 31, depending on the month. But if the tenant moves in or out during the month, the number of days is calculated from the move-in or move-out date to the end of the month. This totaling type is typically used for a standing charge. You can set up a tariff component with the Days totaling type to apply an administration fee for the meter. Such a fee will be charged daily, regardless of the consumption.

Fixed

Charge a fixed amount for the billing period. Compared to the Days totaling type, this one does not depend on the number of days in the billing period. The amount remains constant for each billing cycle.

Formula

Calculate quantity with a custom formula. To create a formula for a tariff component, you need to define the formula structure and specify the variables used in the calculation. On the Utility Tariff Component Card page, in the Totaling Type field, select Formula, and define your formula in the Totalling field.

Example scenario 1: Quantity of sewage based on water consumption

The most common scenario for the formula totaling type is to calculate the quantity of sewage based on water consumption. It's common practice for utility companies to charge sewer fees as a percentage of water consumption. Follow these steps to set up the formula for this scenario.

1. Create a tariff component for water consumption with the Totaling Type set to Consumption. Let's say you name this component WATER.
2. Create another tariff component for the portion of water consumption that is assumed to flow back into the sewer system after use. Let's say you name this component RTS (return to sewer). Enter the following information in the RTS utility component card:

• In the Totaling Type field, select Table.
• In the Totaling Table No. field, specify the table that you want to use as a source of the data. In our example, select the Meter table.
• In the Field No. in Contract Line specify the field, in the previously selected table, that you want to use as a source of the data. In our example, select the Meter No. field.
• In the Totaling field, enter the name of the field specified in the Field No. in Contract Line. In our example, enter Return to Sewer.

Tip

You can find the Return to Sewer field on the Meter Chargeable Data FastTab on the Meter Card page. If the value of this field is 1, then the water consumption is assumed to flow fully back into the sewer system. You can set the value of this field to be less than 1, for example 0.5, to indicate that only 50% of the water consumption flows back into the sewer system. If you use the previously described setup of the RTS tariff component, but you don't enter any value in the Return to Sewer field on the meter, then the default value of 0 will be used. This means that no water will be assumed to flow back into the sewer system.

Note

Some tariff components are created to be used by other components. They do not appear as standalone tariff lines and are not presented separately on a bill. Their only purpose is to enable complex calculations. In our example, the RTS component is used only as an element necessary for the formula of another tariff component.

3. Create a tariff component for the sewer calculation. Let's say you name this component SEWER. Enter the following information in the SEWER utility component card:

• In the Totaling Type field, select Formula.
• In the Totaling field, enter the formula that defines how to calculate the quantity of sewage. In our example, enter: WATER*RTS.

By entering the formula WATER*RTS, we instruct SkyBill first to calculate the WATER tariff component, then to calculate the RTS tariff component, and finally to multiply the results of both calculations to obtain the quantity for the SEWER tariff component. Follow these steps to understand how the formula works in practice.

Example scenario 2: Hot water heating based on hot water consumption

The second most common scenario for the formula totaling type is to calculate the hot water heating. It's common practice for utility companies to charge heating fees based on hot water consumption multiplied by a specific parameter. The role of the formula is to convert cubic meters into kWh.

1. Create a tariff component for hot water consumption with the Totaling Type set to Consumption. Let's say you name this component HOT WATER.
2. Create another tariff component for hot water heating. Let's say you name this component HEATING. Enter the following information in the HEATING utility component card:

• In the Totaling Type field, select Formula.
• In the Totaling field, enter your formula. For example, enter HOT WATER*57.

The HOT WATER*57 formula is the representation of the following calculation: you need 57 kWh of energy to heat 1 cubic meter of water.

Note

As opposed to Example 1, we are not selecting tables and fields in the Totaling Table No. and Field No. in Contract Line fields. This is because, in this example, we are not using any data from the Business Central tables. The formula is based solely on the value of another tariff component and a constant number.

Highest value

The Highest value totaling type selects the highest recorded value from the meter readings during the billing period. This setup requires that the customer installs the demand meter or a meter with an additional register. Such a meter measures the peak usage over a specific interval, such as 15 minutes.

Example scenario: Charging for peak electricity demand

Electricity providers often use the Highest value to charge for the highest power demand recorded during the billing period. From the provider's perspective, this is necessary to ensure that the infrastructure can handle peak loads. For example, the customer can use the powerful construction devices, but only for a short period of time. The provider needs to ensure that the infrastructure can handle such peaks, even if they occur rarely. Therefore, the provider charges the customer an additional amount based on the highest power demand recorded during the billing period.

Spot

To use the Spot totaling type, you must have a smart meter that records consumption in intervals, such as every 15 minutes. Then it uses the meter readings for each particular interval and calculates the charge based on the spot price for that specific interval. Learn more about the Spot Rate in the Meter Readings.

Table

Use a table to determine the quantity based on specific criteria. This totaling type is useful when the quantity depends on predefined values rather than direct measurements or calculations.

After setting the Totaling Type to Table on the Utility Tariff Component Card page, you need to specify the source of the data. To do this, you must configure three fields on the Utility Tariff Component Card page: Totaling Table No., Field No. in Contract Line, and Totaling.

• In the Totaling Table No. field, select the table that contains the data you want to use as a source for the calculation. You can choose only one of the following tables: Supply Address, Meter Point, or Meter.
• In the Field No. in Contract Line field, select the specific field from the previously selected table.
  • Meter No. field if you selected the Meter table.
  • Meter Point No. field if you selected the Meter Point table.
  • Supply Address No. field if you selected the Supply Address table.
• In the Totaling field, enter the name of the field specified that will be used for the calculation.

Tip

To properly set up the Table totaling type, you need to first specify the table in the Totaling Table No. field. Out of the huge list of tables displayed in the drop down menu, you can only choose the tables representing the infrastructure. As a next step, you need to specify two different fields in the selected table. The first field, entered in the Field No. in Contract Line, represents the unique identifier (the key) of the record in the selected table. The second field is specified in the Totaling, and it represents the actual data that will be used for the calculation. For example, the the number of occupants based on the Headcount field or the size of the supply address based on the Space field. You need to enter the exact name of the field in the Totaling field. SkyBill will not return any value if you make a typo.

Example scenario: Quantity based on number of occupants

You might use the number of occupants defined in the supply address to determine the quantity, and then apply a rate per occupant in the tariff.

Follow these steps to set up this configuration.

1. On the Utility Tariff Component Card, in the Totaling Type field, select Table.
2. In the Totaling Table No. field, specify the table that you want to use as a source of the data. In our example, select the Supply Address table, as this table contains the Headcount field representing the number of occupants.
3. In the Field No. in Contract Line specify the field, in the previously selected table, that you want to use as a source of the data. In our example, select the Supply Address No. field.
4. In the Totaling field, enter the name of the field specified in the Field No. in Contract Line. In our example, enter Headcount.

Another example of using the Table totaling type is described in the quantity of sewage based on water consumption scenario.

Time of Use

You can apply different rates for different times of day or seasons. This totaling type works with the Time of Use Maps list, where you define different segments of the day and different seasons. Each segment can have its own rate specified in the tariff line. To learn more, go to the Time of Use.

The Time of Use totaling type is used almost exclusively for electricity tariffs, where consumption can vary significantly based on the time of day, and electricity providers apply different rates to encourage off-peak usage. Think of the Time of Use as a modified version of the Consumption totaling type. In both cases, the basis for the calculation is the meter readings. The difference is that in the Time of Use totaling type, you can define different segments of the day and different seasons in your tariff, and apply different rates to each segment.

Important

Time of Use totaling type displays the quantity, which is based on the consumption, and not on the time. When you measure electricity, the value is based on the meter readings in kWh, rather than the time expressed in hours or minutes. Think of the Time of Use totaling type as a specialized version of the Consumption totaling type, where you can apply different rates based on the time of day or season. Just like in the Consumption totaling type, the quantity is derived from meter readings. The difference is that in the Time of Use totaling type, you can define different segments of the day and different seasons in your tariff, and apply different rates to each segment. That's why, despite it's name, the Time of Use totaling type does not measure time, but rather consumption. When you setup a tariff, and you select the Time of Use as a component, the values will be displayed in kWh for electricity or cubic meters for water, and not in hours or minutes. To learn more, go to the Time of Use on the Tariff and Time of Use Maps.

Related information

Totaling types
Tariffs
Design details
Meter points
Contracts