Budget Billing

Independence Light and Power offers Budget Billing to our customers free of charge.  This program is designed to average your monthly payments and level out high bills that you may have throughout the year, so that you can budget your monthly expenses.

The Budget Billing Plan is not a discount program; it offers no savings or lower rates.  Your total annual cost for utilities remains the same, but you have the convenience of a more predictable bill each month.

We calculate the budget bill amount based on your cost of previous 12 months for services that can be budgeted—electricity, water, and sewer.  Any charges for additional services that you have i.e.: garbage, cable and/or Internet need to be added to the budget amount each month. 

Regardless of the monthly payment, consumer must pay for utilities they actually use.  In September, at budget year-end we compare the amount that you’ve actually used with what you’ve paid for under the Budget Billing Plan.  If you’ve used less energy than you’ve paid for your account shows a credit balance on your October bill.  If you have used more than you paid for, you will owe us, that amount will be due with the October invoice. 

The following are some reasons why your actual energy usage may be higher than the estimate:

• Energy consumption patterns may have changed (thermostat settings may change, a second refrigerator may be added or an aging furnace was replaced)
• Weather patterns may be different (a cooler or hotter summer, a warmer or cooler winter)
• The number of people occupying the premise may have changed (resulting in more or less energy used for cooking, bathing, and laundry)

Each of your invoices will show your actual usage and the actual balance of your account so that you can monitor your account balance.  We review your account periodically to see if there is a large variance between budget and actual.  Your payment amount may be adjusted up or down with changes in energy usage or energy costs, caused by changes in your lifestyle or unpredictable weather.

Your account must be paid in full before you are able to begin participating in Budget Billing. You must pay your budget bill by the due date each month to remain on the Budget Plan.   If you would like to enroll in our Budget Billing Plan or have further questions please contact our billing department at 332-0100.