HOTEL ENERGY BROKERby Jaken Energy
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The vocabulary behind the bill

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Definitions explain the concepts; the applicable tariff, supplier agreement, and program rules control account-specific treatment.

Reference context: EIA electricity delivery, DOE rate options, and ENERGY STAR benchmarking. Reviewed October 12, 2026.

Hotel energy broker
An intermediary who helps a hotel compare and arrange commercial energy supply under an agreed service scope.
Commercial electricity supplier
A business selling electricity supply to eligible commercial customers.
Retail energy provider
A retail electricity seller; the formal name and requirements depend on the jurisdiction. Read the full explanation →
REP
Retail electric provider, a term used in Texas for retail electricity sellers. Read the full explanation →
CRES
Competitive retail electric service, terminology used in Ohio electricity choice. Read the full explanation →
ESCO
Energy service company; in retail-choice context, a competitive energy supplier under applicable rules. Read the full explanation →
Utility
The organization providing regulated network or other utility service to an account.
LDC
Local distribution company, commonly used for a natural gas delivery utility.
Supply charge
A charge for purchased energy and any additional components included in the supply arrangement. Read the full explanation →
Delivery charge
A tariff charge for utility network services and designated associated components. Read the full explanation →
Price to compare
A published utility supply comparison measure under a particular program's rules. Read the full explanation →
Fixed-rate contract
An agreement fixing specified price components within its stated conditions. Read the full explanation →
Index contract
An agreement pricing designated components using a named market index and formula. Read the full explanation →
Variable rate
A price that changes according to the terms of the applicable product.
Block-and-index
A structure combining specified purchased energy blocks with residual index exposure. Read the full explanation →
Full pass-through
A product description requiring review of which underlying costs are passed to the customer. Read the full explanation →
Heat-rate product
A pricing structure linking electricity economics to a defined fuel-price and heat-rate formula.
Contract term
The period during which the agreement's service commitment applies.
Contract start date
The agreed beginning of service, subject to any enrollment or meter-read conditions.
Contract end date
The stated end of a service term; renewal provisions may create further obligations.
Holdover rate
Post-term pricing applied under an agreement's holdover provisions. Read the full explanation →
Month-to-month service
A continuing service arrangement priced and administered under stated monthly terms.
Bandwidth
The permitted variation around a contractual volume reference, with defined consequences outside it. Read the full explanation →
Swing tolerance
A contract allowance for usage variation around a specified quantity or profile. Read the full explanation →
Material change clause
A provision addressing a defined change in the account or operating characteristics. Read the full explanation →
Capacity charge
A cost associated with resource adequacy obligations under applicable market and retail rules.
Capacity tag
An account-specific quantity used in a capacity obligation calculation under the applicable method. Read the full explanation →
PLC
Peak load contribution, a customer load measure used in applicable PJM-area capacity calculations. Read the full explanation →
ICAP
Installed capacity; account and market usage of the term requires regional context. Read the full explanation →
Transmission tag
An account quantity used in a transmission cost allocation under a specified method. Read the full explanation →
NSPL
Network service peak load, terminology used in certain transmission allocation methods. Read the full explanation →
NITS
Network integration transmission service, a transmission-service category under applicable tariffs.
ERCOT 4CP
A four-coincident-peak method associated with transmission allocation in applicable Texas service areas. Read the full explanation →
Demand charge
A charge based on a power demand quantity determined by the utility tariff. Read the full explanation →
kW
Kilowatt, a unit of power equal to one thousand watts. Read the full explanation →
kWh
Kilowatt-hour, a unit of energy representing one kilowatt sustained for one hour. Read the full explanation →
MW
Megawatt, a unit of power equal to one thousand kilowatts.
MWh
Megawatt-hour, a unit of energy equal to one thousand kilowatt-hours.
Watt
A unit of power, distinguished from energy accumulated over time.
Load factor
Average demand divided by peak demand over a consistently defined period. Read the full explanation →
Demand ratchet
A tariff rule tying billing demand partly to a historical demand reference. Read the full explanation →
Time-of-use rate
A tariff or product with charges that vary by defined time periods.
Tariff
The governing utility schedule and rules for specified service and charges.
Rate class
An account category determining applicable utility service pricing and requirements.
Interval data
Metered quantities recorded in defined successive time intervals. Read the full explanation →
Load profile
The pattern of energy consumption or demand across time. Read the full explanation →
PTAC
Packaged terminal air conditioner, a room-scale heating and cooling equipment category.
PTHP
Packaged terminal heat pump, a terminal unit using heat-pump operation under its design.
VRF
Variable refrigerant flow, a heating and cooling system arrangement using controlled refrigerant distribution.
Central plant
Shared building heating or cooling equipment serving multiple spaces.
BAS
Building automation system, a platform coordinating building equipment and controls.
EMS
Energy management system, a term whose specific functions depend on the installation.
Occupancy-based control
A control sequence responding to detected or scheduled occupancy.
Setback
An approved change in a control setpoint for a defined operating state.
Setpoint
The target value used by a control system.
Deadband
A control range separating operating responses such as heating and cooling.
Recovery time
The time needed to return equipment or space conditions to the required operating state.
LED retrofit
Replacement or modification of lighting using light-emitting-diode equipment.
Laundry gas load
Natural gas consumption associated with laundry equipment and water heating.
Domestic hot water
Heated water supplied for building uses such as guest bathing.
Therm
An energy unit equal to 100,000 Btu. Read the full explanation →
Dth
Dekatherm, an energy unit equal to one million Btu or ten therms. Read the full explanation →
Btu
British thermal unit, a unit of energy.
MMBtu
One million British thermal units.
Basis
A price difference between a specified location or product and a reference index. Read the full explanation →
Henry Hub
A Louisiana natural gas hub used as a reference for specified gas pricing products. Read the full explanation →
NYMEX
A commodity exchange market context used for designated futures references.
Commodity charge
The charge for the energy commodity under the applicable billing arrangement.
Transportation gas service
An arrangement in which designated gas delivery and supply responsibilities are separated.
Sales gas service
Utility gas service with supply and delivery treatment defined by the tariff.
Gas balancing
Managing differences between scheduled and actual gas quantities under governing rules.
Gas storage
Holding gas for later use within a defined service arrangement.
Nomination
A scheduled quantity request under applicable gas transportation or market procedures.
Imbalance charge
A cost arising from a quantity mismatch under specified balancing rules.
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
EPA's platform for tracking and benchmarking building energy and related information.
ENERGY STAR score
A program-specific performance metric where the property qualifies and required inputs are provided. Read the full explanation →
Benchmarking ordinance
A local rule requiring specified building performance information to be measured or reported.
Building performance standard
A rule setting defined building energy or emissions performance requirements. Read the full explanation →
BPS
Building performance standard, with scope and compliance conditions set by the governing program. Read the full explanation →
EUI
Energy use intensity, energy consumption divided by a defined area and period.
Site energy
Energy consumed at the property within the stated measurement boundary.
Source energy
An energy measure accounting for upstream conversion and delivery under a specified methodology.
Weather normalization
Adjustment of a performance measure for weather using a defined method.
Heating degree days
A weather measure accumulating temperatures below a specified reference base.
Cooling degree days
A weather measure accumulating temperatures above a specified reference base.
REC
Renewable energy certificate representing specified environmental attributes of renewable generation. Read the full explanation →
Green tariff
A utility product offering defined renewable or environmental attributes under program terms.
Community solar
A subscription or participation arrangement associated with shared solar generation.
On-site solar
Solar generation located at the property under the applicable ownership and interconnection arrangement.
Net metering
A billing arrangement for customer generation whose credit method is set by governing rules. Read the full explanation →
Net billing
An arrangement separately accounting for consumption and exported generation under designated prices. Read the full explanation →
Interconnection
The approved physical and administrative connection of generation or equipment to the network.
Export limit
A restriction on power exported to the grid under an approved arrangement.
Battery storage
Equipment storing electrical energy for later delivery within operating limits.
Usable capacity
The portion of a storage system's capacity available under specified operating conditions.
Round-trip efficiency
Delivered energy divided by input energy across a defined storage cycle.
State of charge
The stored-energy level of a battery relative to its defined capacity.
Depth of discharge
The portion of battery capacity withdrawn during a defined operation.
Demand response
A program or arrangement changing customer load under specified signals and obligations. Read the full explanation →
Curtailment
A reduction of designated load or output under a defined instruction or condition.
Baseline
The reference performance or quantity used for a measurement or program calculation.
EV charging
Electricity delivery to vehicle batteries through charging equipment.
Level 2 charging
AC vehicle charging using a defined equipment and connection arrangement.
DC fast charging
Vehicle charging that supplies direct current through compatible equipment.
Managed charging
Control of charging power or timing within service and equipment constraints.
Charger utilization
A measure of charger use over a defined available period.
Broker adder
A per-unit compensation component included in price under an agreed brokerage arrangement. Read the full explanation →
Mil
One-thousandth of a dollar; one mil per kWh equals $0.001/kWh.
Broker fee disclosure
A written explanation of compensation required or agreed for the engagement.
LOA
Letter of authorization specifying the actions permitted to the recipient. Read the full explanation →
Information authorization
Permission to obtain designated account information, distinct from enrollment authority.
RFP
Request for proposal defining the requested service and evaluation conditions.
Reverse auction
A structured bidding process in which sellers compete under a defined purchasing specification.
Supplier credit review
An assessment of the account's credit support and commercial eligibility.
Deposit
Money required under an account or contract's credit and service conditions.
Credit support
Security or other assurance required for contractual obligations.
Enrollment
The process establishing the account's participation in a selected supply arrangement.
Switching date
The effective date of a supplier change under applicable processing and service rules.
Meter read
A measurement or record of meter quantities for billing or service administration.
Meter multiplier
A factor converting recorded meter values to the billed quantity where applicable.
Estimated reading
A billing quantity inferred rather than obtained from an actual reading for the period.
True-up
An adjustment reconciling an earlier estimate with a later confirmed quantity or cost.
Consolidated billing
An invoice presenting designated charges from more than one service party.
Dual billing
Separate bills for designated utility and supplier services.
Rider
A designated tariff adjustment or charge applied under its governing conditions.
Fixed customer charge
An account charge that does not vary directly with the period's energy volume.
Billing demand
The tariff-defined demand quantity used to calculate a charge.
Measured demand
The power demand recorded under the specified measurement method.
Coincident peak
A customer's load during a defined system peak event or interval.
Noncoincident peak
An account's own maximum demand independent of the system's peak timing.
Peak shaving
Reducing a targeted power peak within the applicable operating and billing conditions.
Load shifting
Moving designated consumption to another time period.
Baseload
The persistent portion of load over the period being examined.
Power factor
The relationship between real and apparent power under defined electrical conditions.
kVA
Kilovolt-ampere, a unit of apparent power.
Reactive power
The alternating-current power component associated with fields rather than net useful energy transfer.
Transformer
Equipment changing AC voltage under its design and service requirements.
Service voltage
The electrical voltage at which an account receives service.
Submeter
A meter measuring a defined portion of a property's consumption.
Commissioning
A process verifying that systems perform according to defined requirements.
Retro-commissioning
A commissioning process applied to an existing building's systems.
Measurement and verification
A defined process evaluating performance changes using documented baseline and reporting methods.
Simple payback
Initial cost divided by an assumed annual benefit, without a full lifecycle analysis.
Avoidable cost
A cost component the proposed change can actually remove or reduce.
Utility rebate
A program incentive payable under documented eligibility and performance conditions.
Preapproval
Required authorization before an action under a particular incentive or service program.
Occupied room-night
One room occupied for one night under the hotel's stated counting convention.
Available room-night
One room available for occupancy for one night under the stated convention.
Energy CPOR
Included energy expenditure divided by matching occupied room-nights.
Utility accrual
An accounting estimate assigning utility expense to a defined reporting period.
Renewal notice
A communication satisfying an agreement's specified renewal-related requirements.
Auto-renewal
Continuation into another arrangement under specified contractual conditions.
Early termination fee
A charge arising from ending a commitment before its agreed term under stated provisions. Read the full explanation →
Assignment
Transfer of designated contractual rights or obligations under the agreement and applicable requirements.
Novation
A separately agreed replacement of a contractual party or obligation under applicable terms.
Default service
Supply provided under the jurisdiction's designated arrangement when applicable. Read the full explanation →
POLR
Provider of last resort, a role defined by a particular jurisdiction's rules. Read the full explanation →
SOS
Standard offer service, terminology used for designated default supply arrangements. Read the full explanation →
Retail choice
A program allowing eligible customers to select a supply provider.
Municipal aggregation
A purchasing arrangement organized under a jurisdiction's local-government aggregation rules.
Direct Access
A named retail access program whose eligibility and limits depend on the jurisdiction.
ISO
Independent system operator, an organization operating designated grid and market functions.
RTO
Regional transmission organization, an organization with designated regional grid and market responsibilities.
PJM
A regional grid and market organization serving its defined multi-state footprint.
ERCOT
The grid and market organization for its defined Texas operating region.
NYISO
New York Independent System Operator.
ISO-NE
ISO New England, the regional grid and market organization.
MISO
Midcontinent Independent System Operator.
SPP
Southwest Power Pool.
CAISO
California Independent System Operator.
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
EIA
U.S. Energy Information Administration.
PUC or PSC
State public utility or public service commission, with powers set by the jurisdiction.
Delivery year
The service period to which a specified market obligation or auction result applies.
Load zone
A defined geographic or market grouping used in a pricing or allocation method.
Forward price
A price for a specified future delivery product; it is not a hotel's own forecast.
Price sensitivity
A calculation showing how a result changes when an assumed price changes.
Contract inclusion schedule
A record identifying which price components are included, fixed, variable, or additional.
The Hotel Bill Teardown
Jaken Energy's method for reconciling invoice quantities, rates, categories, and source documents.
The 180-Day Renewal Runway
Jaken Energy's planning sequence for account discovery, bidding, approval, and enrollment before renewal.
The Peak-Hour Playbook
Jaken Energy's method for safe, measured equipment actions tied to applicable demand-cost windows.
The Five-Clause Contract Check
Jaken Energy's review of material change, bandwidth, pass-through, renewal, and termination provisions.

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