DTE Energy Program Minimizes the Seasonal Ups and Downs of Energy Bills

DETROIT, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With colder weather just around the corner, DTE Energy is reminding customers they can take the seasonal ups and downs out of their energy bills by signing up for its BudgetWise® Billing program.  Customers enrolled in the program manage energy bills by paying the same amount for gas and/or electric service over a 12-month period.  

"In today's economy, it's becoming more challenging for many people to manage their bills," said Joyce Hayes Giles, DTE Energy senior vice president, Customer Service.  "The BudgetWise Billing program can be a big help because you know what to expect to pay each month for gas and electricity.  It takes the guesswork out of budgeting for energy costs."

When a customer enrolls in the program, the company calculates the average monthly amount based on the previous year's usage. Customers pay approximately this amount every month for 12 months. The bill sent on the 12th month reflects the difference between the energy actually used and the payments made.  If there is a balance owed, the amount will be divided by 12 and added to the customer's budget amount for the next year – or it can be paid in full. Overpayments will be divided by 12 and used to reduce the customer's budget amount for the next year, or DTE Energy can provide a refund.

DTE Energy also waives late payment fees for BudgetWise Billing, which gives customers greater flexibility to pay their bill at a time that is more convenient for them.

The company will continue to read the gas and/or electric meter(s) each month and indicate on the bill the energy used and amount paid. Customers will be notified if the company needs to change the BudgetWise Billing amount to keep it in line with actual usage.

Customers whose accounts are up-to-date are eligible to enroll in the program. To enroll in BudgetWise Billing, visit dteenergy.com/bwb or call (800) 477-4747 for more information.

In addition to its BudgetWise Billing plan, DTE Energy's Detroit Edison subsidiary offers special discount rates to eligible senior citizens and to customers who enroll in its Time of Day rate program.  More information on these and other Detroit Edison rate options is available at dteenergy.com/specialrates.  The site includes a link to an interactive Rate Selector tool to help customers determine which rates best suit their needs. To enroll or speak to a customer representative about rate options, call (800) 477-4747.

SOURCE DTE Energy