Danville Utilities has put in place policy changes that will allow more residential and small general service commercial utility customers to enroll in the equal payment plan. The changes are effective immediately.
With the changes, which on Monday received the support of the Danville Utility Commission, customers no longer will be required to have a zero balance before they can enroll.
In addition, customers will be allowed to enroll even if they do not have a good payment record for their most recent six-month payment history.
“Customers in our service area opened their bills this winter and were shocked at just how much they owed,” City Manager Ken Larking said Tuesday. “The reactions were understandable. No one wants to see his or her utility bill increase. We want our customers to be aware that we offer an option with our equal payment plan, and the policy changes in place now will make that option available to more customers.”
The equal payment plan is a pre-authorized payment plan that makes it easier to budget household utility expenses. The plan allows customers to pay equal monthly amounts and avoid seasonal spikes such as the one they have experienced this winter when prolonged and severe cold in December and January led to sharply higher energy consumption for heating.
“With this plan, there is no more bill shock,” Larking said. “You avoid any seasonal spike in your bill, keeping your budget intact and your mind at ease.”
The monthly payment is determined by averaging a customer’s most recent 12-month bill history, including previous balance and applicable utility taxes. After the first year with the equal pay plan, the monthly amount will be re-calculated based on the customer’s most recent 12-month usage history.
Utilities Director Jason Grey said customers who use the equal payment plan continue to receive a monthly statement showing actual energy usage and charges, but pay only the fixed equal pay amount as shown on the statement.
For more information or to enroll, call the Danville Utilities’ customer service office at 434-799-5155.
In addition to the equal payment plan, Danville Utilities offers HomeSave, a rebate program that offers cash rebates to customers who purchase qualifying new energy efficient upgrades for their home.
After the purchase, customers can obtain the rebate by filling out the HomeSave application, then sending the application – along with required proof of purchase documentation – to Danville Utilities by mail, fax or email. A check will be mailed upon approval.
“Remember, the lowest cost kilowatt-hour is the one that is never used,” Grey said.
Rebates are offered on qualifying central air conditioners, heat pumps, HVAC tune-ups, attic insulation, wall insulation, floor insulation, crawlspace insulation, Energy star windows and smart thermostats.
For more details, visit www.danvillehomesave.com. In addition, a rebate program hotline is available. The phone number is 888-599-0450.
Danville Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services in Danville and distributes electricity to approximately 42,000 customer locations in a 500-square-mile service territory covering Danville, the southern third of Pittsylvania County, and small portions of Henry and Halifax counties.