Nearly 6,000 soldiers and their families who now get free electricity will get mock monthly electrical bills beginning in July to get them used to the idea of paying for excess usage.

The plan is to promote energy awareness and conservation.

Ann Wharton, spokeswoman for Army Hawaii Family Housing, said the Army will begin monitoring the meters at homes used by soldiers and their families.

During the mock billing period, an average electrical usage or a base line will be determined by comparing like homes, taking into account the age, the floor plan and square footage.

Under a new Pentagon plan, military families on base who use more than the average, or base line, will receive a bill. Residents who use below the average will receive a rebate.

“;Actual or live billing will probably begin in 2011,”; Wharton added. “;This will give people time to get used to the idea.”;

The plan began in 1996 under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, which allowed all of the military services to privatize family housing. The Pentagon has mandated that by 2013 all servicemen and women living in on-base housing will be responsible for the utilities.

There is no charge for military families who live on base.

The one-year mock billing involves homes at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Aliamanu and other Oahu Army housing areas.

On the Navy side, a spokeswoman said the details of the resident utility program are still being formulated, but it could kick in this year at 2,000 Marine Corps homes and 4,000 Navy quarters. The Air Force will begin its metering program at its 2,000 units at Hickam Air Force Base in July 2013.

Forest City Residential Management, which manages Navy and Marine Corps family housing here, has already begun advising some residents of their own energy usage through monthly reports. The Navy reported last year that about 95 percent of base housing managed by Forest City consumed more electricity than their equivalent community counterparts based on house size, construction type and amenities.

The excess consumption equated to nearly $10 million annually in costs that Forest City could have reinvested into its communities. It also has started a rebate program that offers $100 a month to the top energy-saving families.

Col. Matthew Margotta, commander of U.S. Army Hawaii, said metering is one way of helping the Army to manage resources efficiently.

“;If soldiers' families know they will have to pay money for excessive usage, they are more likely to adjust their behavior and conserve energy to bring usage down,”; Margotta said. “;Dollars saved through conservation will be put directly back into the housing project and will mean more money for construction of new homes, community amenities and community facilities at the installation. The savings will stay local and benefit the community.”;

All military members and their families who do not live in post or base housing receive a basic housing allowance that includes energy consumption costs, rent and renters' insurance.