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Budget Billing Adjustments

We review budget billing accounts twice a year — in September and March — to ensure your monthly payments cover your total energy use over 12 months.

What to Expect

Your budget amount may increase or decrease after each review, depending on your energy use since the last adjustment.
Budgets are auto-calculated based on your energy use over the past 12 months.
Extreme temperatures often raise your average energy use, which can increase your budget amount.

Important Notes

Budget billing does not save you money. It helps you maintain a consistent monthly payment by spreading your energy costs evenly across the year.
Unlike other utilities that use levelized billing, The Energy Cooperative does not “true up” your budget. Instead, we roll any balances or credits into your next budget amount — a key reason why your budget may change in March and September.
If you're enrolled in budget billing, you may build a credit during lower-use months. This credit makes up the difference when your energy use exceeds your monthly payment.
Overpayments go toward your account balance but do not affect your future budget payments.
Monthly payments are required. Missing a payment will result in removal from the budget billing program.