This kind of payment option can help those on fixed incomes pay equal amounts through the summer and winter and avoid high winter heating bills and other seasonal fluctuations. In addition to the 12-month plan, your local utility company may offer other plans which better suit your situation. If you have questions about special payment plans, contact your utility company. Utility bills are sometimes confusing. Each utility company's bill format is different.
Utilities strive to make their bills understandable.
If you have trouble understanding your bill, contact your local utility company for assistance. A utility must have available publications on customers' rights and responsibilities and must provide disconnection notices in five languages other that English-Russian, Spanish, Laotian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese. Your monthly service charge is the base charge for providing service to your residence. It covers costs such as processing accounts and, meter reading and billing. The charge will appear on the monthly bill even if you use no service during the billing period.