Sign up for Budget Billing and take the ups and downs out of your utilities bills.
If you’re on a tight budget, fixed income or just want to know how much your utility bill will be each month, our Budget Billing program is just for you.
Budget Billing is a free payment plan that lets you evenly spread out your payments throughout the year. So despite unpredictable swings in the weather, your utilities bills are still predictable.
Budget Billing does not reduce your overall utilities expenses. It simply spreads them out over a 12-month period and lets you know your monthly payment ahead of time. Budget Billing allows you to manage your household budget a whole lot easier.
Take the strain off your budget
- It’s easier to budget your expenses because we spread your payments evenly throughout the year. Budget Billing lessens the impact on your budget during the winter and summer months when utility use is higher.
- Your meters will still be read monthly and your bill will show the actual utilities used. Your bill will also list your current payoff balance (the year-to-date difference between your Budget Billing amount and your actual bill).
- At the end of each Budget Billing year, we compare the amount of utilities you used and the amount billed. Any balance or credit remaining will be averaged into your billing calculation for the next year, so your payment may either decrease or increase from year to year.
- We review your account on a regular basis throughout the year so you won’t end up with a big deficit – or a big overpayment. If your payment amount needs to be adjusted, we will notify you the month prior to the change.
It’s easy to enroll
You can enroll in Budget Billing any month of the year. To learn your Budget Billing amount and to enroll, call us at 448-4800 or 800-238-5434.
Triple the convenience
Receive and pay your bill as easy as possible. Sign up for e-Billing and AutoPay as well.
Frequently-asked questions
What is Budget Billing?
- Budget Billing is a free payment plan that lets you evenly spread out your payments throughout the year. So despite unpredictable swings in the weather, your utilities bills are still predictable. Budget Billing does not reduce your overall utilities expenses. It simply spreads them out over a 12-month period and lets you know your monthly payment ahead of time. Budget Billing allows you to manage your household budget a whole lot easier.
How does Budget Billing work?
- We use your utilities bills for the past year (12 to 13 billing statements) to come up with an estimated amount for the year ahead. We also add a Budget Billing adjustment percentage to account for rate changes, weather variations and changes in your usage patterns that may occur throughout the year.
| Utilities bills for past year |
$2,830.87 |
| Number of days in billing periods |
392 * |
| Average daily amount (utilities bills ÷ days) |
$7.22 |
| Monthly estimated bill (daily average × 365 days ÷ 12 months) |
$219.66 |
| Adjustment percentage |
1% |
| Budget Billing amount (rounded up) |
$222 |
| * For this example, the total number of days in the billing cycles is 392. Read dates may vary slightly so 12-13 billing cycles will not totally 365. |
- At the end of your budget period (12 months after you sign up for the program), we will review your total actual utilities use for the entire period compared to your total payments during the budget period. Any credit or debit balance will be included into the recalculation with your most recent 12 months of usage and the current Budget Billing adjustment percentage. Or, if you choose, you can opt to pay any debit in full or receive any credit as a refund.
What is the adjustment percentage, and how is it derived?
- The current adjustment percentage is one percent. The adjustment is reviewed annually to ensure that it is in line with rate changes and projected weather patterns. We include this in our Budget Billing calculation to account for rate changes, weather variations and modification in customer consumption that occurs during the year. For existing Budget Billing customers, we apply this percentage at the time your Budget Billing amount is reviewed. In the end, you never pay more for utilities than what you actually use.
What are the eligibility criteria?
- To be eligible for the Budget Billing program you must:
- Have lived at your current residence for at least 12 months **
- Be up to date with your utilities payments
- Agree to pay the full Budget Billing amount each month by the due date
** By living at your current residence for 12 months, your Budget Billing amount becomes a more accurate reflection of your usage. Without the high and the low months, the amount may be too high or too low for the year.
When is the best time to enroll?
- You can sign up at any time, but we require that you have at least 12 months of utilities use at one address, and we do require that you have a zero balance. By living at your current residence for 12 months, your Budget Billing amount is a more accurate reflection of your usage. Without the high and the low months, the amount may be too high or too low for the year.
Can the amount I pay each month change?
- Yes. Your Budget Billing payment amount can change if you use more or less utilities than in the past. For example, if you use more natural gas by running your furnace longer than usual during the winter months, your Budget Billing amount may change to offset a potentially-higher amount. Adjustments are made to prevent large debit or credit pay-off balances so you are paying an amount closer to your actual usage.
How often can the amount change?
- The Budget Billing amount can change as often as every month if there is a big change in the amount of utilities you use. Most customers’ payment amounts change only once a year.
How will I know if my amount changes?
- We will send you a letter one month prior to any changes to your payment amount.
Can you tell me about the payoff balance that is noted on my utilities bill?
- We itemize your actual usage and the actual dollar amount on your bill for that month. The payoff balance is a tally of how much you accumulated over or under your budget payments. Typically, you will have a credit on your account entering the winter months and a debit on your account as you exit the winter months and enter spring. You will then begin to balance out through summer and build a credit to prepare for the winter months.
At the end of 12 months, any credit or debit balance is included in your new payment amount. If you choose, you can opt to pay any debit in full or receive any credit as a refund.
If I move to a new residence, will my Budget Billing amount follow me?
- No. Budget Billing amounts are based on your home and usage patterns. A new home may require more or less utilities than the previous home, so we do ask for 12 months of service at your new residence to ensure your Budget Billing amount is reflective of your usage.
Can I cancel my enrollment at any time?
- Yes. If for any reason Budget Billing is not right for you, call our Customer Service Center at 448-4800 or 800-238-5434 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. When you cancel your enrollment, any balance amount is due on the date shown on your statement. If you have a credit amount, it will continue to be applied to your account. We recommend you stay on the program for at least one year to realize the benefits of the program and to help avoid a debit balance.
If I cancel my enrollment, can I participate again later?
Why was I removed from Budget Billing?
- If you end utilities service at your current location or if you do not make payments by the due date, you will be removed from Budget Billing. If you are removed from the program due to poor payment history, you must wait six months from the time your account balance is brought current before you can return to the program.