Indiana Administrative Code › Title 170 - INDIANA UTILITY REGULATORY COMMISSION › Article 6 - WATER UTILITIES › Rule 3 - Central Station Hot Water Heating Utilities › Section 3-15 - Bills

Current through July 10, 2024
Authority: IC
				  8-1-1-3;
				  IC
				  8-1-2-4
Affected: IC
				  8-1-2-4;
				  IC
				  8-1-2-33
Sec. 15.
Billing of Consumer for Service.
(a) Bills rendered periodically to consumers
				for hot water heating service shall show the number of square feet of radiation
				set, all flat rate charges, and the price per unit of service. On all bills
				which are computed on any other basis than a definite charge per unit of
				service, the other factors used in computing the bills shall be clearly stated
				so that the amount may be readily computed from the information appearing on
				the bill.
(b) The billing for all
				consumers having new heating installation or altered heating installation,
				shall be based upon the radiation set in the consumer's premises.
(c) Bills rendered to old consumers or to
				consumers whose radiation has not been altered shall be based upon the
				radiation set when the amount of radiation set is the correct amount as
				determined by inspection or test made by the utility subject to the approval of
				the commission.
(d) The total
				square feet of radiation set in any consumer's installation shall include in
				addition to the cast iron radiators, all exposed piping, indirect radiation and
				such other radiating surfaces which are not covered by suitable pipe
				covering.
(e) The consumer shall
				install storm sash strips or other equally effective protections to the doors
				and windows and keep them securely fastened in place and maintained so during
				the heating season so as to reduce the amount of radiation required and to
				conserve the heat.
(f) The company
				shall at all times exercise reasonable diligence in supplying water in
				sufficient amount and of such a temperature, as will reasonably heat the
				premises of the consumer, with all windows and other openings properly closed
				and maintained.
(g) The company
				shall furnish hot water in a sufficient quantity to heat the building to a
				temperature of not less than 70 degrees Fahr., when the outside temperature is
				zero degrees Fahr., and above provided that sufficient radiation be installed
				by the consumer to maintain the desired temperature.
(h) The consumer shall not in any manner
				change, divert or use the water circulating through said interior system and
				through said connections or permit the same to be so changed, diverted or used,
				and shall exercise at all times reasonable care for the protection of the
				utility's property on the premises and shall not install any additional
				radiation in said premises without the written consent of the utility, and
				properly identified authorized agents and employees of the utility shall have
				the right to enter at all reasonable hours upon the premises for the purpose of
				inspecting the interior system and connections; the consumer shall at all times
				keep the interior system and the building in good repair and condition at his
				own expense, and the outside openings properly closed so as to exclude the
				outside air in cold weather during the heating season; and the utility shall
				not be liable for any failure of circulation in the interior system nor for
				damage to person or property arising directly or indirectly from the furnishing
				of the heat on the premises or for defects in the interior system. However,
				controlling devices and shut-off valves located on the consumer's premises
				shall be installed at the expense of the consumer and maintained at the expense
				of the utility.
(i) The consumer
				shall prevent all persons other than the duly authorized representatives of the
				utility from making use of the shut-off cocks of the heating connections
				outside of the building; when the circulation is once established and the water
				turned on, such service shall not be discontinued except by an authorized
				representative of the utility; the utility may seal all drain valves between
				the heating system and the sewer.
(j) The utility is advised, in so far as it
				is possible to contract for service with no other party than the owner of the
				building to be heated.