Home Fuels saves money for service members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  In order to help Team Aviano streamline their utility bills while saving money, the 31st Force Support Squadron encourages members to use Home Fuels when paying their Italian utility bills.

The Home Fuels Office works as a liaison to the Italian utility companies to establish initial gas and electric services, set up Gasolio deliveries and accept payments.

"By using our service we provide members relief from paying production costs, consumption costs and [Imposta Valore Aggiunto] taxes associated with using utilities in Italy." said 1st Lt. Micah Uhrinak, 31st FSS Non-Appropriated Funds financial analyst

Production and consumption costs vary depending on what region the utilities are being used in, what that flat rate sales taxes are and how much utilities are used. Members who establish a service with Home Fuels decrease the amount of combined taxes paid instead of paying full taxes when going directly through the companies. The only expense Home Fuels charges is a $14 administration fee per utility bill processed.

"Currently, we are saving members roughly 37.5 percent on gas bills and 13 percent on electric bills," said Uhrinak. "Hypothetically, if you receive a $1,000 gas bill from Home Fuels, you would have to pay $1,375 directly to the Italian utility company."

Members wanting to establish a service with Home Fuels need a completed rental agreement signed by the 31st FSS housing office, a completed utilities form from the community housing packet and a Codice Fiscale. When all information has been received by Home Fuels, it is then passed on to the utility companies to begin the service.

For members using City Gas, a natural gas supplied by direct gas lines, a three-hour appointment will be scheduled by the Home Fuels office at your house, which is required by the utility company. For Gasolio refills, home-heating oil stored in tanks, appointments are required through the Home Fuels office to ensure correct house delivery procedures.

Electricity service is comparable to services in the U.S. All electricity that enters the house through electric lines is metered. All base personnel use various electric companies, which all have the capabilities to read the meter remotely, which ensure the company the bill is accurate.

"Members can pay their bill in different ways," said Uhrinak. "You can pay directly through Home Fuels, Banca Popolare, Global Credit Union, or establish an automated payment with a credit card or Italian bank."

Service members are also given a monthly Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance as part of their Overseas Housing Allowance. The current allowance is a flat Euro amount of 757.50 Euro for members without dependents and 1,010 Euro for members with dependents.

"I stress to members to not spend this utility allowance," said Uhrinak. "When we receive a bill from the Italian utility companies, members need to reimburse Home Fuels since we have already paid the bill for them."

Similar to most Italian bills, utility bills are typically issued bi-monthly and cover two months of service.

For more information on Home Fuels, call 632-5083.