You can weather the rising costs of utility bills during the summer months in Colorado and Wyoming.
Payment Plans
If you are getting behind in your payments, ask the utility company to help you. You can suggest a payment plan that works for you. You will need to pay your new bill and work on paying off your past due bills. Make sure you will be able to afford the new payment plan because if you miss a payment, the total amount you owe will become due and it will be harder to prevent a shutoff.
Budget Billing
You can spread the really high cooling costs of summer or heating costs of winter across the entire calendar year by signing up for budget billing. With budget billing, instead of paying more when you use more, you pay roughly the same amount every month. Anyone who is current on payments can ask for budget billing for electric service (also called levelized or average payments).
Also ask your utility company if you can pick the day of the month that your payments are due. Budget billing is not a discount program; it offers no savings or lower rates but will make bill paying more manageable.
Medical Exemptions
This program provides discounted electric rates to customers who require the use of medically necessary equipment in their household and/or have medical conditions requiring air conditioning during the summer billing months
Depending on the medical condition of the resident, qualifying account-holders may receive discounts on the electric costs related to the medical equipment and/or for air conditioning during the summer months. To find out if this program is offered in your community contact your local utility company.
Weatherization Assistance
You can lower your energy bills by preventing heat and air conditioning from escaping through cracks and gaps around doors and windows. A weatherizing assistance program can help you pay for energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and weather-stripping, as well as for emergency repair or replacements of your furnace.
To locate the WAP service provider nearest you, call toll-free at 888-606-8889. To apply for free energy-efficiency services, visit Colorado's Energy Office. Renters and homeowners can also contact their gas or electric company for help in spending less on energy year round. Ask for an energy audit to look for places where heat is escaping from your home.