- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
In case you were unaware, it gets pretty cold in Massachusetts! As the temperatures fall, your gas and electricity bills are sure to rise.
If you are concerned about your electricity bill, because you think it is incorrect or may not be able to make the payment, here are a few things you should consider.
Estimate v. Actual
The first thing you should do when you get an electric bill is making sure it is representative of an actual reading and not of an estimate. If it is an estimate, you can get an actual reading from your provider which will update the account.
Efficiency Programs
Utility companies offer energy efficient programs that usually result in lower payments. Eversource has an Energy Savings Plan and a number of financial assistance programs for customers in Eastern Massachusetts. It offers a planning mechanism to help understand your energy usage and how you can reduce it. The financial assistance programs help customers find alternative methods to pay their monthly bills.
National Grid offers similar programs for their Massachusetts customers. They offer payment assistance programs, budget billing, and more time to pay options as well as no cost energy kits to control usage.
Mass Save is a rate payer-funded program that offers rebates and income eligible discount rates. They also offer free home energy assessments online that give a good indication of energy usage and potential savings.
Department of Public Utilities
The DPU website recommends that issues with an electric company first be taken up with them. After that, they offer resources to file a complaint. They also offer a consumer information page which answers frequently asked questions about payments, discounts, and financial assistance.
If you are not a homeowner, there are different rights and remedies that you are entitled to as a tenant regarding utilities. The State Sanitary Code mandates certain provisions regarding heat and water, for example, that landlords must abide by. If the heat in your apartment isn’t working or isn’t warm enough, notify your local Board of Health.
