Function

• Utility companies provide the basic service and resources infrastructures for regions varying in size from small towns to entire states. Due to their public and compulsory nature, most utilities are subject to regulation from local and state government. Many utility companies enjoy unsolicited monopolies on their areas and business due to low rates of inter-regional competition and may be privately or publicly owned.
  
  

Types

• The water utility bill is the amount charged for water used at the premises, and includes drinking, bathing, cleaning and irrigation resources. Water utility bills are sent by the local government and charge customers at a specific rate per hundred cubic feet. A meter is attached to the premises to monitor the amount of water used and, depending on the area, is either read by a representative from the local government or connected to a computer database that reads the amount used electronically. In many large cities and towns, sewer charges are combined with the water bills to create a combined water and sewer utility bill.
  
  

Features

• Like water, gas usage is also monitored by a meter affixed to the premises and billed at a predetermined rate. Gas refers to natural gas that is used in homes as cooking gas, to help heat or cool space, and heat water. Gas utility bills are typically based on two factors: the cost of gas and the gas company's delivery of the gas. Since natural gas is a nonrenewable natural resource, gas companies do not produce it. They simply harness it and transfer it to their customers for a fee. The cost of a gas utility bill can vary greatly from month to month depending on supply and demand.
  
  

Identification

• The electric utility bill, now often referred to as the energy utility bill, is the invoice that accounts for the amount of kilo watts used at a residence as monitored by a meter. There are several types of charge associated with electric bills, including a distribution fee, transition charge and transmission charge. Depending on the company, an energy conservation fee and renewable energy charge may also be applied. Additionally a service charge is calculated, and the combination of all fees yields the total bill amount.
  
  

Effects

• In some areas, phone service may also be considered a utility bill. The phone utility service refers to landlines only and excludes cellular service. Local calling is typically included, and depending on the service other features, such as long-distance calling, caller-ID, three-way calling, and voicemail may also be available. While phone service used to be a widely accepted utility bill, it is now associated more with telecommunications bills and enjoys more competition even in local regions.