Is Budget Billing for me?
If there are months during the year that
your energy bills are significantly higher than other months —
such as summer and winter — and you've been a customer of O&R,
Rockland Electric or PCL&P for at least 12 months, then Budget
Billing is a good option.
Will I save money on Budget Billing?
Budget Billing does not reduce your overall
energy expense. It simply lets you pay a monthly installment amount,
even though your usage may vary from month to month.
Why do
I need a 12-month usage history before I can enroll in Budget Billing?
Your projected energy usage for the year
ahead plays an important role in calculating your Budget Billing installment
amount. A 12-month history allows us to estimate your future use more
accurately.
Why can't
I choose a budget amount I want to pay?
We carefully examine the 12-month history
and other anticipated costs to arrive at an estimate that will help
reduce any large over- or underpayment at the end of the budget period.
Choosing an arbitrary amount, without considering all the factors,
could result in significant errors in your estimate.
Will
you still read my meter if I'm on Budget Billing?
Yes. We will still obtain monthly meter readings
as scheduled, and your bill will continue to show your actual monthly
energy use.
Will
I know the status of my account if I'm on Budget Billing?
Yes. There's a Budget Summary that appears
at the end of your monthly statement showing the difference between
the cost of the actual amount of energy used to date and the total
amount of budget installments billed to date. If the amount used is
more than the budget installments billed, the difference will be "In
Company Favor." If the amount billed is more than the amount
used, the difference will be "In Your Favor."
Could my budget
amount change during the 12-month period?
Yes. It could. Changes in cost of energy,
weather and lifestyle can happen at any time of the year and could
affect your energy usage and costs. To avoid a significant difference
between the budget that you're billed for and the cost based on the
actual amount of energy you used, your account is reviewed periodically
to make any necessary adjustments in your budget to meet these changes.
This occurs every six months for O&R and Rockland Electric customers,
and every quarter for PCL&P customers.
Will I get
a letter telling me that my monthly budget amount is changing?
Although we do not send a letter, you will
periodically receive a message on your bill advising you of the new
monthly budget amount beginning with the next bill. On the 12th month
of your Budget Billing cycle, you'll also be notified if there is
a balance "In Company Favor" or "In Your Favor,"
and the bill message will detail what the amount is and whether you
are being billed or credited that amount.
What happens
to overpayments or underpayments in my budget after the 12 months?
If after the 12 months of Budget Billing,
there is an amount "In Company Favor" over $50, we will
bill this in six equal installments beginning with the first bill
of your new budget year. If the amount is less than $50, we will
bill it in one statement. If at the end of the 12 months there
is an amount "In Your Favor," we will apply this money
as a credit to your account beginning with the first bill of your
new budget year, or you may request a refund, as long as you've
made all 12 payments for that year.
I'm an
O&R customer who buys my energy supply from an alternate supplier.
Can I still enroll in Budget Billing?
Absolutely. You can enroll in Budget
Billing and still purchase your energy supply from an alternate
supplier through PowerSwitch, eBids or by shopping on your own.
How do
I find out what my Budget Billing payment amount would be if I
enroll?
To find out what your Budget Billing
installment amount is and to enroll online, go to My
Account and log in with your 10-digit account number. Once
you're logged in to your account, click on the Budget Billing
prompt below your account status, or on "Budget Billing Enrollment"
to the left.
You may also use our computerized telephone
system by calling us toll-free at 1-877-434-4100 at any time of
day or night. Have your 10-digit account number handy. Select
3 from the Main Menu and follow the voice prompts for Budget Billing.
After entering your account number, you'll be given your Budget
Billing installment amount. If you like what you hear, you can
enroll on the spot.
When can
I enroll in Budget Billing?
You can enroll at any time provided you
have a 12-month usage history.
