"Balanced Bill" Utility Payment Options for Raleigh Area Elctric and Gas Utilities (appliances, house)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Just wondering how many of you out there have opted to enroll in Progress Energy's Balanced Bill program where you pay a fixed amount each month for your electric Bill for a year. I have been in my house a year and just got the letter in the mail today. Just curious if most people find it a convenient way to pay. I am tempted to have a steady bill but I will miss my low electric bill in the winter (We have gas heat). On that note, does PSNC Energy (Our Natural Gas Supplier) offer a Balanced Bill program as well?

If you have any opinions about this concept of a steady fixed bill amount I would love to hear them. Thanks!

[mfrank2109]

I have done it with both and liked it since it made budgeting easier - at least for me. Since you haven't enrolled yet, a smart way to do it would be to enroll in PNSCs now then you'll have lower payments in the winter and the lower electricity winter bills and then enroll in Progress Energy's in May before the big summer electricity bills hit.

[gottagetoutofmaine]

What is an average utility bill for central heat/air??

This is one question we are having if we do relocate. Also, what are the water bills/trash fees say for a family of four?

[sacredgrooves]

Originally Posted by gottagetoutofmaine

What is an average utility bill for central heat/air??

This is one question we are having if we do relocate. Also, what are the water bills/trash fees say for a family of four?

The bill can differ drastically depending on size of house and age of hvac/appliances. Newer units are tremendously mnore efficient than 15-20 year old units.


We have been on the payment plan for a couple years and love it! Gas company estimate ended up being an overpay so they reduced our gas bill to $27 a month through the rest of the year (from september through december)
We have gas heat/water heater and our electric bill is $221 a month. I run a heat pump in the garage though...probably tacks on $30 a month.

[waterbabies]

We plan to do both once we've met the criteria (i.e. 12 months of on-time payments). We were on "budget plans" with both the power and gas companies where we moved from and it was wonderful knowing what the bill would be every month.

[Tryingtofigureitout]

My mother signed up with Progress Energy a few years back. They screwed her during the summer season. She was paying about $60+ a month more than she needed. During the winter months, it really didn't save her much.

[lamishra]

Originally Posted by Tryingtofigureitout

My mother signed up with Progress Energy a few years back. They screwed her during the summer season. She was paying about $60+ a month more than she needed. During the winter months, it really didn't save her much.

I've actually heard the same thing. We were going to look into it it a while ago and then a bunch of people told us not to do it. I just can't remember exactly why now, but it also had something to do with getting "screwed" during peak seasons.

[tee-tee]

If you have a fixed rate for your electric and gas, and you like to plan your budget, this is a great program! We did it with our gas in NE Ohio b/c we could get $300 gas bills in the winter, it was easier to spread it around all year.

You don't get ripped off. The utilities base the budget amount on previous usage. If you alter your habits, such as with a programmable thermostat, new appliances, or thermostat changes, you stay on your monthly budget until the new cycle starts.

We installed a new furnace at our previous house, our gas budget was ~$150/mo, after a full winter and the renewal of our budget, our gas monthly went down to $105 or so.

[leighbhe]

We have only done it for gas (we are are on propane) and I love it. Now, I have heard with the electric bills they will look at your bills for the previous year, and average it out monthly and you will pay that amount. At the end of the year, they reassess and will give you a different amount, etc. That is also how it happens with us, since we were new customers, our gas company set us at 160 a month for 10 months. Every year it has gone down for us, based on our usage.

For us, it works, we know what is coming every month. Now, as far as the electric goes, I am still baffled. Regardless of what our thermostat is set on, and this year we rarely put the ac on in the downstairs of our house as compared to last year, and our electric bill is always 300 dollars in july. Regardless of what we do, how we change things, it is just 300 dollars. I have questioned it before, and wake electric doesn't seem to think they is a problem!

Leigh

[saturnfan]

Progress Energy's program isn't the old type of balanced bill plan - read the details.

It costs you 10-15% extra for the guaranteed amounts - no year end settlement. However, the utility can drop you if you go high in usage during the year.

If you feel the premium is worth paying, go for it. Be aware though that the utility is touting this program since it's a moneymaker, not a convenience. The utilities commission made Progress explain it more clearly.