Many of us love the freedom of summer. It’s time to enjoy a dip in the pool or lake, spend time with children when they are out of school, or cool down indoors with a relaxing book or hobby.
One downside: Hotter temperatures go hand-in-hand with higher electric bills.
But energy bills can be more stable, regardless of the weather. Customers can enroll in Budget Billing to provide more predictable costs, both for gas and electric bills.
Budget Billing allows participants to pay the same amount each month, based on their estimated annual usage. Customers know ahead of time exactly how much they’ll pay, though the amount can be annually adjusted if usage or pricing changes.
Here’s how two customers benefit from Budget Billing:
Judith Salsbery of Kingman
As a retired senior on her own, Budget Billing gives Salsbery peace of mind.
She set up a bank account to automatically pay all of her regular bills, in case she falls ill or finds herself in a position where she can’t handle her affairs.
“That cannot be done with bills that vary each month such as my electric and gas bills. For me, Budget Billing solved this problem,” Salsbery said.
She’s very conscious of the amount of energy she uses, trying to take steps to conserve when she can. The yard in her three-bedroom home has shade trees that provide cooling for her home.
“I love Budget Billing. This system has really helped me so much. I never worry about any of my bills now, as I see some of my friends doing. I can never be late or worry if something should happen to me,” Salsbery said. “I hope this system can help others and I thank UniSource for such a nice program.”
Dusdi Fissette of Lake Havasu City
Coming from a military family, Dusdi Fissette prioritizes “financial readiness” in her household.
It just made sense to join UniSource’s Budget Billing program to ensure that her electric bills are the same amount every month.
“The predictability is really great,” Fissette said. “In the summer months, when bills are high, it’s nice to even it out so you know what you are paying every month.”
Fissette’s family calls Lake Havasu City their home in between military deployments elsewhere. Fissette’s husband and 21-year-old daughter are both in the U.S. Army. In 2024, Fissette family members spent about half of their time in Lake Havasu City, where they own a one-bedroom, upstairs condominium. That time included much of the summer months when there was record heat.
Fissette replaced the condo’s HVAC system with a more efficient unit. Also, she regularly changes the filter and cleans out the system and shaft, keeping it running optimally and the air healthy.
Budget Billing is important because of their strict budget. “I’m looking at what’s coming,” Fissette said. “That way, you can project what your year looks like in advance and can keep yourself within a budget.”
