A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Paying Your Broad River Electric Bill

Having reliable, affordable electric service is essential for every home, business, and community. As a customer of Broad River Electric Cooperative (BREC), it’s important you understand your monthly electric bills, know your account and payment options, and pay on time. This guide will walk you through everything you need to efficiently manage your BREC electric account.

Overview of a BREC Electric Bill

Your monthly statement from BREC provides detailed information on your electric service and charges Key sections of your bill include

• Account Summary – Your BREC account number, service address billing date due date, previous balance, payments made, and total amount due.

• Electric Usage – Charts your daily electric usage so you can identify trends over the past 13 months.

• Current Charges – Itemizes your charges for the billing period including the basic facilities charge, kilowatt-hour charges based on usage, and any applicable fees.

• Meter Readings – Shows your meter readings at the start and end of the billing period and total kilowatt-hours used. Readings may be actual or estimated.

• Messages – Important notices about your account, rates, outages, or other info from BREC.

Reviewing your electric bill each month helps you understand your usage patterns and what factors impact your costs. Contact BREC customer service if you have any questions.

Key Electric Billing Terms to Know

Some key terms on your BREC electric bill include:

• Kilowatt-hour (kWh) – The basic unit of electric energy consumption. Your bill is based on how many kWh you use.

• Basic Facilities Charge – A fixed monthly charge that helps cover BREC’s fixed costs of providing service. It applies whether or not you use any electricity.

• Distribution Charge – Fees for delivering electricity via poles, wires, transformers and other infrastructure. Charged per kWh used.

• Wholesale Power Cost – What BREC pays for purchasing electricity from suppliers, passed onto customers. Fluctuates based on market costs.

• Taxes – Local and state taxes assessed on electric bills and passed onto customers.

Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help you better understand the charges on your BREC electric bill.

Billing and Payment Options

BREC offers options to customize billing and payment to best fit your needs:

• Paperless Billing – Have your bill emailed to save paper and receive notifications faster.

• Budget Billing – Pay a consistent amount each month to avoid seasonal spikes. Your account is later reconciled annually.

• Auto Draft – Your bill payment is automatically deducted each month from your bank account or charged to your credit card.

• Online Account Access – Monitor your electric account 24/7 using BREC’s online portal or mobile app.

• Payment Locations – Pay online, by phone, mobile app, mail, or at local authorized payment stations.

Choose the billing and payment options that provide you the most convenience in managing your electric account.

Avoid Late Fees Through On-Time Payment

BREC electric bills are due by the due date printed on your statement, typically 20 days after billing. Late payments incur a penalty – 1.5% on residential accounts, 5% for commercial.

Here are some tips to help avoid late fees:

• Mark your due date on your calendar and set payment reminders.
• Go paperless and/or enroll in auto-draft to ensure on-time payment.
• Pay online for fastest processing. Allow 7-10 days if mailing a payment.
• Contact BREC immediately if you anticipate issues paying on time.

Setting up alerts and automated payments helps ensure your electric bill is paid on time every month. But if you pay late, call BREC right away to see if they can waive the penalty, especially if it’s your first time.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to pay your electric bill, BREC offers programs to help, including:

• Project Share – Provide donations and assistance for families unable to pay their electric bill.

• Spread the Warmth – Federal heating assistance funds for qualified low income households.

• FERA – Reduced monthly basic facilities charge for eligible senior citizens (65+).

In addition, BREC can arrange customized payment plans or extensions if you communicate any difficulties with on-time payment.

Paying Your BREC Bill Online

Paying online at brelectric.com is a fast, easy way to pay your BREC electric bill 24/7. Here are some tips:

What payment methods can I use online?

You can pay by credit/debit card or electronic fund transfer from your bank account.

Is there a fee for online payments?

A $3.95 convenience fee applies to card payments. You can avoid fees using the PayNow e-check option.

Can I set up recurring payments?

Yes, you can create an automatic payment profile on your account for hassle-free payments each month.

When will my payment be applied?

Online payments are typically applied to your BREC account within an hour during business hours.

Paying online helps avoid late fees and saves time. Just be sure to use BREC’s official payment portal for security.

Key Takeaways for Paying Your BREC Electric Bill

• Carefully review your BREC electric bill each month to understand the rates and fees.

• Enroll in paperless billing and automated payments for convenience.

• Pay your bill in full by the due date to avoid penalties.

• Assistance programs are available if you need help paying.

• Pay online through BREC’s payment portal for quick, secure processing.

Understanding your electric usage and bills from BREC ensures you can manage your account efficiently. Follow these tips to pay on time every month. Contact BREC anytime if you need assistance with billing and payments.