|
 We
at Elizabethton Electric want to make paying your light bill as
easy as possible. We understand how energy costs can eat up your
budget. To help our customers through those 'high use' months during
mid winter (heating) and mid summer (air conditioning), we offer
a plan called Budget Billing.
Also, known as Even Pay, the Budget
Billing program works like this:
- April and May are the settlement months for
the program.
- To sign up for the first time, come to our office
when you receive your statement bill that has a due date between
April 20th and May 19th. It takes only a few moments to sign you
up. Please note that you cannot sign up after the due date for
that bill (until next year). Also, you must have been at your
present address for at least the past 12 consecutive months to
qualify for the program.
- We figure your average kilowatt hour (kWh) usage
for the past twelve months. We add 9.1% to this figure to cover
fluctuations in weather and/ or your habits.
- Whatever this adjusted amount equals in dollars,
is what you are billed every month for the next year.
- After 12 months we will settle accounts. If you
finished the year with a deficit, you pay your new budgeted amount
plus the amount you were behind. If you finished the year with
a credit, just pay the net amount due on your next bill.
|
Example:
John Smith's average usage for last year was 1910 kilowatt
hours. 1910 is multiplied by 9.1%. That equals an adjusted
usage of 2080 is multiplied by the residential rate of 7.291 cents
per kwh. Then the customer charge of $7.79 is added to the
bill. The total is rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Mr.
Smith would be billed $152.00 per month for one year. |
- Once you are on Budget Billing, you need do nothing
to renew it. Just pay the new budgeted amount each Spring after
settlement. You may request to come off the program at any time.
No two years will have exactly the same weather,
and people's electric usage varies as well. Your usage is going
to be higher during a cold winter than a mild one. Your daughter
may go off to college and your usage may go down considerably. So,
though the plan is not perfect, it is adjustable from year to year.
We especially recommend Budget Billing
for our customers with fixed incomes. It is easier to budget your
family's bills if you can count on the light bill being constant.
Also, with Christmas being so expensive, it helps to know the cold
months won't hinder your ability to pay Santa.
If you are interested in this plan,
watch your bills for a note about Budget Billing. It can help you
manage your budget.
|
