How far back Delaware utilities refund overcharges
Delmarva refunds the excess paid for kilowatt-hours a fast meter (over 2%) recorded, recalculated from the date the error began if that date can be established; demand meters are adjusted under the same section. Here is the rule behind it, what starts or limits the clock, and what it means for a business with a billing error in Delaware.
Delaware at a glance
| Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Rule | Delmarva Power P.S.C. Del. No. 8 - Electric, Rules and Regulations Section IX (Adjustment of Charges), tariff effective September 1, 2026; PSC Docket No. 20-0217 |
| How far back refunds go | Delmarva refunds the excess paid for kilowatt-hours a fast meter (over 2%) recorded, recalculated from the date the error began if that date can be established; demand meters are adjusted under the same section |
| What starts or limits the clock | If the start of the error cannot be established, the tariff assumes three years or half the time since the last meter test, whichever is less; overcharges from estimated bills are refunded back to the date estimation began |
| Interest | Set in the tariff or by PSC order |
| Regulator | Delaware utility commission |
What it means for a refund claim in Delaware
- In 2020 PSC staff and the Public Advocate found more than 5,000 Delmarva business customers could be paying more than their usage justified after automatic moves to the Medium General Service rate, and the PSC changed the tariff (AP report).
- Electric cooperatives can exempt themselves from PSC jurisdiction under Delaware law, in which case their own rules apply.
- Read the utility's tariff rules on billing and meter error too: tariffs often repeat or extend the commission rule.
- Municipal utilities and cooperatives usually set their own billing rules.
Discovery Energy reviews 36 to 48 months of history on every account and pursues the longest period each jurisdiction allows. See how overcharge recovery works, or compare Delaware with every other state.