Assistance for our monthly billed members
Piedmont Electric is dedicated to helping our members navigate their energy use through this crisis and into the future. Below is more information on how we are offering to help.
Getting back to normal
Beginning Aug. 1, Piedmont Electric will start the process of resuming normal operating procedures. We have several programs that will help our members get back on track.
Deposits applied
Piedmont Electric is automatically applying deposits to members with past due balances up to the amount of their balance.
Members will need to 1.) be current on their September and subsequent bills, and 2.) pay the difference between their past due balance and their deposit by the end of their 6-month arrangement to have their deposit applied to their account. You will not need to contact Piedmont Electric to have your deposit applied, we will take care of this for you!
For example, a member has a $400 deposit and a $500 balance. Once the member has paid $100 toward their past due balance, Piedmont Electric will apply $400 to the member’s account from their deposit. Members will have 6 months to pay $100 to have their deposit applied to their past due amount.
Past due bills
Members will not be disconnected at this time for past due amounts on their August electric bills and will not be disconnected for failure to pay their August bill.
Any balance remaining on your account that was billed prior to Sept. 1 will be automatically enrolled in a long-term arrangement. Members must pay for electric use that is billed on or after Sept. 1 by that bill’s due date or they may be subject to disconnection. This complies with the governor’s executive order 142. Balances billed prior to Aug. 1 will be deferred up to 6 months through an automated payment arrangement.
Automatic payment arrangement
Members with a past due balance will be automatically enrolled in a 6-month payment arrangement due in February 2021. Your arrangement amount will show on your September bill.
While we recommend members make regular payments on their arrangement, members will not be disconnected for this particular arrangement through February 2021.
September bills will be subject to disconnection, but additional payment arrangements are available upon request for your September bill and subsequent bills for up to seven days past the bill’s disconnection date. Members must contact us to avoid disconnection.
Paying off your arrangement
Once your arrangement has been established, any payment you make will first be applied to your current balance with any extra paid toward your arrangement.
We recommend members make regular payments toward their arrangement, however you will not be disconnected or penalized for the amount in your 6-month arrangement through February 2021.
Please note that you will be subject to disconnection for not paying for energy use billed on or after Sept. 1. Call us at 800.222.3107 if you have any questions.
Payment assistance
If you need assistance paying your bill there are a number of groups who can help. Please read more about them here.
[expand title=”Managing your energy bill moving forward”]
Piedmont Electric has always been dedicated to helping our members manage their energy use whether they wanted to save money, help the environment or some of each. With the impact COVID-19 has had on individuals and our economy, taking advantage of these programs could be more important than ever.
The programs highlighted below can help you save money and some even pay you to save.
Time-of-day rate: pay less when you use energy off-peak. Members save an average of $20 per month. Try it risk free!
Air conditioner management: earn between $2.50-7.50 per unit per month from June-September for allowing Piedmont Electric to manage your air conditioning unit on select afternoons.
Water heater management: earn $1 per month for allowing Piedmont Electric to manage your water heater at select times.
Smart thermostat savings program: earn $2.50 per unit per month from June-September for allowing Piedmont Electric to manage your air conditioning unit on select afternoons.
Home energy analysis: see what it using energy in your home, get personalized savings and an energy forecast which provides an estimate of how much energy your home will use based on your inputs and the upcoming weather.
Daily energy monitoring: keep an eye on the energy used by your home.
Combining all of these programs could save members almost $40 per month. Feel free to contact us to sign up for one of these programs or ask which ones might be right for you at info@pemc.coop or 800.222.3107.
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[expand title=”Bill payment made easy”]
We know that your life is hectic, and we want to make keeping up with your electric bill easy.
Payment options: paying your bill has never been easier whether you want to pay online, over the phone, via the mail or in person, we have got an option for you.
Automatic bank draft: set it and forget it!
- Once you have logged into SmartHub, select the Billing and Payments tab.
- From there, you can choose the Auto Pay Program and set up or modify your payment information.
- Draft dates are determined by each member’s billing cycle: cycles 32-40 on the 6th; cycles 2-10 on the 13th; cycles 12-20 on the 22nd; and cycles 22-30 on the 28th.
For more information or help with this process, just give us a call at 800.222.3107.
Budget billing: Do you want to pay the same amount each month? If so, then budget billing might be for you! Budget billing evens out the amount members pay so they can avoid paying higher bills during the weather extremes of summer and winter. Many consumers find this helps them to budget their energy dollars more efficiently.
Your budget billing amount will be based on your previous 12 months electric use. You will pay a set amount for 11 months. In the 12th month, a “settle-up” payment will be due. A new budget billing amount will then be calculated and the process begins again.
To find out more about budget billing, please call us at 800.222.3107.
Paperless billing: Want to go green and help us reduce the amount of paper and postage we use? Tired of getting the bill in the mail each month? Whatever the reason, you can sign up for paperless billing by simply logging in to SmartHub and changing the “Printed Bill Status” slider to the “OFF” position.
PrePay: allows members to determine how much and how often they pay, provided their account maintains a positive balance. No deposit is required and there are no late fees!
If it would be easier to make weekly or bi-weekly payments rather than one large payment each month, prepay may be right for you. For additional details on this program, visit our prepay page, contact us online or call Piedmont Electric at 800.222.3107. You can also view the prepay contract by clicking here.
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[expand title=”Additional assistance”]
NC 2-1-1: For free, confidential information on health and human services resources, call NC 2-1-1. They can help connect you with local organizations that are best able to address needs including food, shelter, energy assistance, housing, parenting resources, health care, employment, substance abuse treatment and specific resources for older adults and for persons with disabilities. They can be reached at any time or day by calling 211 or 888.892.1162.
Food and nutrition services: This federal food assistance program provides low-income families with the food they need.
Child care assistance: If you are a parent who provides necessary services to, or cares for, members of our communities and your child care has fallen through because of the COVID-19 closures, call 888.600.1685 to be connected with the right fit for you and your child.
Internet access: As many North Carolinians are being asked to work remotely, the North Carolina Department of Information Technology has compiled a list of new and existing free or affordable service offerings from vendors across the state.
Unemployment assistance: The North Carolina Department of Commerce has created a Q&A page for individuals experiencing job loss or reduced work hours due to COVID-19.
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