CONTACT:

Barbara Uebelacker
Communications Specialist
(866) 752-4550
BarbU@rock.coop

Take Charge of Energy Costs with Prepaid Option

Do you remember when the only way to pay your energy bill was to mail a check or make a payment at the co-op office?

Other payment options have been added in recent years, and now you can pay online, by phone, at third-party payment centers like Wal-Mart, or with automatic bank withdrawal. But even with the variety of choices, the process remained the same. You received a bill that detailed your energy consumption for the previous month, and you paid the full amount before the due date.

Now, Rock Energy Cooperative is introducing a pay-as-you-go plan, which allows you to pay for energy as you use it, the same way you buy groceries and gasoline. You have greater control over your budget because you decide how much to pay and when to pay it.

Members maintain a prepaid balance in their account from which their daily usage is subtracted. When their balance gets low, the co-op alerts them that they need to add money.

More than 100 Rock Energy members are enrolled in the Prepaid Energy Option, and Mike Salmons, consumer accounting manager, expects more members will sign up as they learn about the program.

“If it would be more convenient for you to make weekly or biweekly payments on your energy bill rather than one large payment each month, this option is perfect for you,” Salmons said. “Instead of getting a traditional bill each month, you’ll receive a monthly statement that shows your usage. When your account runs low, you’ll get an alert by email, text message, and phone call to let you know it’s time to add money.”
Mike Salmons

The program is so flexible that members can choose when to pay and how much to pay as long as they maintain a balance in their account, Salmons said. They also have the same variety of ways to pay—by mail, in person, by phone, online, at third-party payment centers, or through online banking.

“Members might make a payment whenever they get a paycheck, when their Social Security check arrives, or whenever they can afford it,” he said.

This option is a good solution for members who move often or are facing financial difficulties because it eliminates the need for deposits and late fees, Salmons said.

In addition, people who prepay generally use less energy than those on traditional billing because they’re more aware of how much power they’re consuming.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Prepaid Energy Option and whether it’s right for you, stop at either our Janesville or South Beloit office to pick up a brochure or download one by clicking here.