Budget Billing

Rhode Island Energy’s Budget Billing program averages your annual energy costs into 12 equal monthly payments, making it easier to manage expenses during high-usage months like winter and summer. This amount is based on your electricity usage over the past year.

With Budget Billing, you still pay for the actual energy you use annually, but your monthly payments remain steady, helping you plan your household budget more effectively.

If you’ve lived in your home for less than six months, we’ll estimate your average payment using previous energy usage for your address. Once enrolled, we’ll review your payment every three to six months and make any necessary adjustments to keep it aligned with your actual energy use.

Residential and small business customers are eligible to enroll in Budget Billing. If you have a past-due balance and are working through a payment plan, you may still qualify. However, certain account types are ineligible, including:

• Commercial accounts
• Accounts with an active or pending budget plan
• Inactive accounts
• OnTrack accounts
• Summary Billing accounts
• Area Lighting accounts
• Accounts with an open PUC Formal, Informal, or Mediation suspend charge
• Accounts without active electric service
• Accounts where the caller is not an authorized relationship

Additional restrictions:

• Accounts with less than 5 months of usage
• Budget amounts under $100 for electric heat or under $50 for non-electric heat

If you have questions about eligibility, contact our customer service at 1-800-342-5775.

While Budget Billing helps balance your monthly payments, certain factors can still affect your monthly bill:

• Lifestyle factors, such as a change in household size or the addition of new appliances, can increase or decrease energy use
• Environmental factors like extreme weather may change heating or cooling needs
• Energy prices may fluctuate based on market conditions

We review your account every three to six months and may adjust your monthly payment to avoid large end-of-year discrepancies.

Can I enroll if I have a past-due balance?

Yes, customers with past-due balances can enroll after setting up a deferred payment arrangement.

Why am I not eligible if I just paid off my bill?

It may take up to three days for payments to process. Once cleared, your account should be eligible for Budget Billing.

Can I enroll if I’ve lived in my current home for under a year?

Yes. We can estimate your monthly payment based on previous energy usage at your address. Your payment may adjust every three to six months until your usage pattern is established.

What happens if my usage differs from what was expected?

If your actual usage varies from the estimated amount, we will notify you and may adjust your monthly payment. You’ll receive updates on your bill a month before any changes take effect, so there are no surprises.

How is the difference settled at the end of the year?

After a year, we reconcile your total energy use with what you’ve paid. If you used less energy than estimated, you’ll receive a credit. If you used more, you’ll be charged for the difference. For significant balances, we offer the option to pay it over time.

Can I use Budget Billing if I get my energy supply from another company (ESCO)?

If you receive a single bill from Rhode Island Energy that includes both delivery and supply charges, Budget Billing will cover both. If your supplier bills you separately, only Rhode Island Energy charges are included.

Can I enroll in other billing options while on Budget Billing?

Yes, you can combine Budget Billing with other options, like automated payments, to make managing your bill easier.