Budget Plan (Balanced Billing)
Make managing your energy payments easier. Make your bill the same amount every month.
When you enroll in Budget Plan, you can take the the "peaks and valleys" out of your energy bills, making business budgeting simpler and more accurate. To qualify for the Budget Plan, your account balance must be current. If you have an overdue balance, you may arrange payment of the overdue balance by calling 1-800-443-1837 . To view your account balance and billing history go to Account Details.
It's Easy to Enroll
When you enroll in Budget Plan, you can take the the "peaks and valleys" out of your energy bills, making business budgeting simpler and more accurate. To qualify for the Budget Plan, your account balance must be current. If you have an overdue balance, you may arrange payment of the overdue balance by calling 1-800-443-1837 . To view your account balance and billing history go to Account Details.
It's Easy to Enroll
To get started, simply log-in below. (Remember that if you have an outstanding balance, you must settle it before you enroll.)
Once you're signed up, you'll start the Budget Plan when your account goes through the next billing cycle.
More Information
- Can I sign up for Budget Plan if I have a bill that is past due?
- Before you can sign up for the Budget Plan, you must first clear up any amount that is overdue on your account. You can send full payment to 300 Erie Blvd W, Syracuse, NY 13202 or call our Collection Services at 1-800-433-1837, to see if you are eligible for a payment plan.
How can I keep track of my actual charges?- Your monthly bill will include a summary of your accumulated actual charges and accumulated budget plan charges, plus the balance due to you or us after payment of that bill.
What can I expect when my budget year ends?- The twelfth month of the Budget Plan is the "Settlement Month". If you paid more than you actually used over the plan year, your Settlement Month payment will be reduced to bring your account to a zero balance.
If you did not pay enough over the plan year to cover the actual cost of your electric and/or gas service, that balance will be divided by 12 and included in your new budget amount for the new budget year. For example, if you owed $48 at the time of your Settlement Month, your next year's proposed budget amount would increase by $4.
How often will I be billed?- You'll still receive a bill each month.
Why does my monthly payment amount change sometimes?- Generally, your Budget Plan monthly payment amount can change up to four times a year. These changes are made to prevent you from having a large balance or credit due at the end of your Budget Plan year. The month before a payment amount is going to change, a message indicating the new budget amount will appear on your service bill. The decision to change your Budget Plan payment amount is based on specific factors that are consistent for every customer. While we try to limit the number of adjustments, your payment amount is changed when:
- You use more or less electricity and/or gas. Warmer or colder temperatures mean you will use more or less energy to heat or cool your home. Changes in the amount of energy you use affect your cost.
- We've be unable to gain access to read your meter for several months, resulting in repeated estimated bills. To avoid estimated readings, you can submit meter readings online. You can also call 1-800-642-4272 to report your meter reading. Readings are accepted two days before, the day of, or one day after your scheduled meter reading date. This date is displayed on your most recent bill.
- The price of electricity and/or natural gas changes.
- You have had a change in your lifestyle or the number of people living in your home has changed.
- You may have purchased or replaced appliances, used them more often or removed certain appliances. In these cases your energy use and costs could change.
Can I leave the Budget Plan before the end of the plan "year"?- Yes. You may leave the Budget Plan at any time. The difference between what you've paid at the time you withdraw and your actual service charges will be added to or subtracted from your next regular bill.
When can I enroll in the Budget Plan?- If your bill is not past due, you may enroll at any time.