HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.1.4

The cost of gas and electricity varies according to the amounts consumed, as shown on the utility suppliers’
rate schedules. For this reason, it may not be possible to accurately calculate the cost for a utility in any one-
service category until the usage of that utility for all service categories is known.

For example, a unit with electric heating may qualify for a lower “All-Electric” rate if electricity is also used for
cooking, lighting, refrigeration, and domestic hot water. Rates for gas usage may decline with the volume of
gas used, resulting in a lower cost for gas used for heating, cooking, and domestic hot water than for each use
considered separately.

For convenience in calculating the utility allowances for any combination of utilities, it is recommended that
the PHA use the higher rates. Allowances for electric cooking, water heating, and space heating should be
calculated using the lower rates at the middle or bottom of the company’s rate schedule.