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Residential Budget Billing
In the summer and winter, air conditioning and heating systems use more electricity and / or natural gas, which can affect the energy usage. By using our Budget Billing Plan, customers can balance utility bills so payments are the same each month.
Residential customers interested in Budget Billing should complete the online application.
How Budget Billing Works
Residential customers who sign up for budget billing will have a monthly utility bill based on their most recent 12-month average. Using this average, the monthly bill amount will not fluctuate and will be the same each month for the next 12 months. (For the initial period of the program, the monthly bill amount will be for a six-month period).
In July of each year, the customer energy use for the past 12 months will be reviewed to determine the new budget bill amount for the next year. This review process is completed each year that a customer remains enrolled in the Budget Billing program. To be removed from the Budget Billing program, a customer should contact customer service or complete the online form.
After the annual review, a customer’s budget bill amount could be higher or lower for the following 12 months – depending on energy or natural gas use from the previous 12 months. Some factors that may affect energy use include weather changes, additional appliances in the home or a new HVAC system.
At times, accounts on Budget Billing may be adjusted prior to the scheduled 12-month review date. Accounts with exceptional changes to their energy or natural gas use or other factors may be recalculated earlier. Customer Service will contact customers in advance if accounts are affected by this process.
Budget Billing is available for residential accounts only.
Eligibility
Residential service in good standing for at least one year – or have moved to a location with a 12-month history of utility use that can be calculated to determine an average usage amount.
- Customer must enroll in auto draft as method of payment
- Customer must enroll in e-billing (email billing)
- Plan to live at their current address for at least one year
- Have utility service from a single meter(s) (Electric and / or Gas) that is wired or plumbed for individual use
- Account should be current in order to activate budget billing
- Account must have satisfactory payment history with Lawrenceville Utilities
- Who can enroll in Budget Billing?
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Select residential customers who are signed up for automatic bank draft and email billing and have had a minimum of twelve (12) months of continuous utility service.
- When does Budget Billing take effect?
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Budget Billing will take effect on the next billing cycle after enrollment.
- How long is the program?
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The Budget Bill amount will be recalculated each July.
- Is there a ”settle-up” period?
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Yes, there is a settle-up period if the customer closes their utility account or opts out of budget billing. The amount outstanding will be due immediately.
- Is this a discount?
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No. While the program doesn’t reduce bills for savings, it does allow the customer to manage cash flow with level payments for most of the year.
- What if I miss the deadline to sign up?
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Lawrenceville Utilities will be offer another sign up period at a later date.
- What are the benefits of Budget Billing?
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The benefit of Budget Billing is to help avoid unpredictable bills by leveling out monthly payments to help customers budget accordingly.
- How do you calculate my Budget Billing amount?
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The Budget Billing amount is calculated by averaging the prior 12 months of usage.
- How can I enroll in the Budget Billing program?
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Residential customers can easily request enrollment with our online application. Once the online form is completed, one of our Customer Service Representatives contact the customer with approval information.
- Once I sign up for Budget Billing, can I opt out?
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Customers may opt out of Budget Billing at any time, but payment of the balance owed will be required at that time.
- What if I have a returned payment?
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This could remove you from the program and require a payment of full balance owed.