Entergy Budget Billing?

Question

I'm moving to an area that uses the Entergy company for gas and electric. They have an option of "budget billing", which basically averages my payments so that I can budget better. But, that seems like more of a favor to the company than me, because that way I would think that they don't have to come out and check my meter every month. And, also, that could mean that I'd actually be paying MORE. I'm looking for someone who has Entergy service to give me some insight and tell me what they chose. Thanks!

Answer 1

and then if for some reason you get a large amount built up then they demand it all at once

Answer 2

Budget Billing is a standard practice with utility companies everywhere. If you use budget billing, they still need to take readings on your meter to determine actual use (which ultimately affects your budget) Most meters use radio waves to trasmit your readings to a truck that drives by- so you wouldn't see your meter reader anyway.

If you don't use budget billing and have a really hot july or a really cold January, you could be faced with a bill that is 2-3 times what you are used to paying.

If you want to have a budget and you don't have a lot of cash reserves to pay for fluctuations, then get budget billing. If you have some money in cash reserves, and you are willing to put up with a different bill every month then don't use budget billing.

Answer 3

A couple of years ago I lived in an area that offered this.  I elected to sign on to it only because I was already living there for a couple of years and thus knew how much my bills were each month for a year.  Basically it made it easier for me financially because I paid the same amount each month instead of huge a.c. bills during the summer and heating during the winter time.