Higher winter electricity bills can be harder to manage, and BC Hydro is offering a winter payment program to give residential customers more time to pay.
Winter payment arrangements are available to pay a higher winter bill over a six-month period.
This winter got off to a cold start in British Columbia. Early November saw Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Princeton, Penticton, Campbell River, Tofino, Whistler and Hope all breaking cold temperature records.
Cold weather means we’re all using more electricity; the second half of December 2017 had peak electricity demand that was above the previous 10-year average.
BC Hydro meteorologists are forecasting the next couple of months will continue to bring below-average temperatures.
What lower temperatures typically mean is higher electricity bills – especially for those using electric heat. Residential energy usage increases, on average, by 88 per cent in the winter months.
BC Hydro knows any increase in bills can make this time of year more stressful and difficult to manage household finances.
Just like last year, BC Hydro is offering a winter payment plan program to help make it easier to manage your winter bills.
You can take up to six months to pay a winter bill by requesting payment arrangements.
If you’ve received a higher than expected winter bill that you’re unable to pay, you’ll be able to request payment arrangements to make regular payments on the amount owing for up to six months.
• Winter payment plans are available for bills issued from Dec. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. Look for your billing date on your bill to be sure.
• You’ll need to call in to request arrangements before the due date listed on your bill – don’t wait until a bill is overdue.
How to request payment arrangements: call our customer team.
Give our customer team a call if you want to make payment arrangements for a winter bill, or explore other payment options for your account. We can get things set up and discuss arrangements specifically for your situation.
Give us a call at 1-800-224-9376): Monday to Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; and Closed Sundays and holidays
Other ways to manage bills: auto-pay scheduled payments and equal payments.