I-Team: Power Struggle

Sky-high power bills are on the way with the warm summer months ahead in the desert. 

Some people prepare for those increased expenses by going on a level-pay or "budget billing plan." 

Palm Springs resident Ross von Metzke went on the plan last year, hoping it would take some of the shock out of those bills. 

"We were expecting big power bills, and for the first year, we got them during the summer," von Metzke says. 

They conserve the home to save electricity by pulling the blinds, making sure the TV is off when they're not using it and keeping their condominium at 76 or 77 degrees. 

He explains what he expected from the budget billing plan, "They take a look at a year's worth of your energy usage and then use that to find a base rate that they can apply across, they say, eleven months." 

It worked as far as he knew with SCE giving him a monthly bill lower than he thought it would be. 

It started at $116.00. 

It was adjusted three months later to $259.00. 

Then it went up to $317.00. 

Then in May, it was $960.66. 

"Definitely not expecting to get that," he says. 

We took his concerns to SCE Senior Advisor, Jeff Monford. 

"Now we know not everybody gets out their magnifying glass and studies every detail in the bill, but at the same time that information is presented there on where to look." Monford says. 

Von Metzke was keeping a close eye on the biggest number on his bill, the amount due each month. 

Below that shows a running tab of sorts and whether the amount he's been paying is keeping up with his actual balance. 

He was running a tab without realizing it. 

"We summarize what is currently being billed, and we show what is piling up for reconciliation later," Monford explains. 

The lesson, von Metzke says, is to pay close attention to that "actual balance" number, so you don't have any surprises. 

Imperial Irrigation District also has a similar program. 

It'll also show a credit or a balance at the top of the bill, while showing the budget billing plan amount due, much like the SCE bill. 

It's important to look at both, so you know whether you'll face a big balance at the end of your billing year. 

Resources:

For information on SCE Budget Billing Plan and how to apply, visit here.

For information on Imperial Irrigation District Budget Billing Plan, visit here.