What is Budget Billing?
Budget Billing smooths utility payments, that otherwise would normally fluctuate by usage, by spreading them evenly throughout the year, so customers will know what to expect each month. Under this payment plan, BGE calculates the budget bill amount by averaging your 12 most recent bills plus any accumulated imbalance amount. BGE will still continue to read your meter each month and bills will always show details of the actual charges and consumption for the billing period, as well as the account balance. To prevent any large deficits or overpayments, BGE will review customer accounts throughout the year. If the Budget Billing amount needs to be adjusted higher or lower than current monthly payments to reflect actual usage, BGE will notify customers one month prior to the change with the new Budget Billing payment amount. Budget Billing is a voluntary program, so you may start or stop Budget Billing at any time. There are no activation or cancellation fees associated with Budget Billing. If you decide to cancel this program, your account will go through a settlement and if any Budget Billing credits exist, they will be applied to your bill. If a pay off balance exists, you will be billed for that balance.
How is my Budget Billing monthly payment determined?
Budget Billing is based on the usage at the service address over the past 12 months. We will review your Budget Billing on a quarterly basis. Based upon your usage, the budgeted amount can be adjusted.
The bill will always show details of the actual charges and consumption for the billing period, as well as your account balance. Your Budget Billing Credit or Pay Off amount will be located in the section headed 'Important Information About Your Bill,' on your statement. If an adjustment to your Budget Billing amount is needed, BGE will always notify you on the bill one month prior to the change taking place. The new budget billing payment amount will also appear under 'Important Information About Your Bill'.
As a customer of the Budget Billing program, how often does my payment amount change and how will I know?
Budget Billing accounts are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Based upon your usage, the budgeted amount can be adjusted. BGE will always notify you one month prior to the change with your new budget billing payment amount. The bill will always show details of the actual charges and consumption for the billing period, as well as your account balance.
What if I have a supplier and I want to enroll in Budget Billing?
If a customer has selected an alternate gas or electric supplier, BGE will still deliver the energy. However, the customers’ Budget Billing amount will only include the gas and/or electric delivery service charges from BGE. The charges from the supplier will be listed as a separate item on the bill.
How do I enroll in Budget Billing?
To enroll you may apply online once you are logged in on your bge.com account or contact us directly at 1.800.685.0123. To be eligible for Budget Billing, your energy bill must be current and up to date.
Can I be on Budget Billing and the Vehicle Charging Time of Use rate?
No. You cannot be on both Budget Billing and the Vehicle Charging Time of Use rate at the same time. If you decide to enroll in Budget Billing, you will be removed from the Vehicle Charging Time of Use rate, and your electric vehicle charging will be placed back on the standard electric rate.
