Is there a way I can find out how much electricity my family uses day to day? Log in to SmartHub® for online access to a personalized, private view of your electricity usage. You can compare usage by year, month, week or day. This will help you better understand how and when you use electricity and enable you to make simple lifestyle changes that can lower your usage and your bill.
Utilities use “degree days” to track how temperature affects customers bills. What is a “degree day?” “Degree days” are the difference between the actual average temperature for that day and 65° F. If it is warmer than 65°, “cooling” degree days will result. If it is cooler than 65°, “heating” degree days will result. Each degree over or under 65° is considered a degree day. For example, if the average temperature on April 1 was 55° degrees, you subtract 55 from 65 to get 10 so that day had 10 heating degree days. By adding the degree days for all the days in a month, it provides a way to compare the months to see how much colder or warmer each month was. In the months with a larger number of heating degree days (or cooling degree days), customers will likely have a higher bill.
It varies depending on number of people and the energy efficiency of a home. In general, about 41% is used for heating, 34% is for appliances, electronics and lighting, 17% for water heating and 6% for air conditioning. [source: EIA.gov]
Paying your utility bill on time each month is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner or renter. However, for many busy people remembering due dates and mailing checks can be a hassle. That’s why more and more people are turning to convenient online bill pay options offered by utility providers like Benton PUD.
As a Benton PUD customer myself I’ve found that their online bill pay system makes it quick and easy for me to pay my bill each month right from my computer or smartphone. In this article I’ll walk through the various online payment options Benton PUD offers and explain the benefits of paying your utility bill online.
Overview of Benton PUD’s Online Bill Pay
Benton PUD gives customers several options for taking care of their utility bill payments online:
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SmartHub® – Benton PUD’s online account management system accessible via website or mobile app. Through SmartHub you can view bill history, make one-time payments, set up recurring auto-pay, monitor energy usage and more.
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One-Time Online Payments – For quick one-off payments, customers can use the Pay Now system on Benton PUD’s website. Just enter your account number and payment info.
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Phone Payments – Call Benton PUD’s automated pay-by-phone system anytime to make a payment.
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Payment Kiosks – Self-service payment kiosks located outside Benton PUD offices allow you to easily scan your bill barcode and pay.
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CheckFreePay Stations – Pay your PUD bill at CheckFreePay kiosks located inside select stores.
As you can see, Benton PUD offers a range of online and automated options to fit any schedule or preference. Let’s look at the benefits of paying your utility bill online and examine some of these options in more detail.
Benefits of Paying Your Bill Online
Compared to mailing in a paper check each month, paying your utility bill online comes with several advantages:
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It’s fast and convenient – Make a payment in just a few clicks anytime, anywhere. Avoid trips to the post office and potential late fees.
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Payment reminders – Get text or email alerts when your bill is ready and due to help you remember to pay on time.
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View payment history – Online accounts like SmartHub make it easy to view your current bill as well as past bills and payment dates.
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Access billing details – See itemized charges and review your daily energy usage when you log in online. Identify ways to lower your bill.
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Automatic payments – Set up recurring payments from your bank account or credit card so your bill gets paid automatically each month. One less thing to remember!
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Environmentally friendly – Paying online saves paper used for printing and mailing bills and checks.
For busy professionals and families, paying bills online can provide much-needed convenience and organization. Benton PUD’s online options make it simple to pay from anywhere in just minutes.
Paying Your Benton PUD Bill Through SmartHub
One of the most comprehensive online bill pay options offered by Benton PUD is SmartHub. Available as a website or mobile app, SmartHub allows customers to take care of all aspects of their utility account management in one convenient place.
With SmartHub you can:
- View current and past billing statements
- Make one-time payments by credit/debit card or bank transfer
- Set up recurring auto-pay from your bank account or credit card
- See daily electricity usage and analyze trends over time
- Report power outages
- Receive notifications for account reminders and outage alerts
- Go paperless by opting into e-billing
Whether you’re on the go or sitting at your computer, you can now pay your bill in seconds right from SmartHub without having to mail anything. Recurring auto-pay takes things a step further by removing the monthly task of manually making payments entirely.
SmartHub also provides useful insights into your home’s energy use through the usage dashboard. This allows you to identify times when consumption is higher so you can take steps to lower your bill.
With robust account management tools and easy online payments, SmartHub is an invaluable resource for Benton PUD customers looking to simplify their utility bills.
One-Time Online Payments
If you just need to quickly pay your current balance, Benton PUD makes that simple through one-time online payments on their website.
To make a one-time payment, go to bentonpud.org and select “Pay Now” at the top of the page. You’ll be prompted to enter your 10-digit Benton PUD account number and the payment amount.
The secure payment form allows you to pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic funds transfer from your bank account. Enter the required payment details and submit.
The online payment is processed instantly, allowing you to avoid late fees and keep your account in good standing. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your payment details for your records.
For Benton PUD customers who receive their bill and realize they need to pay it right away before the due date, this quick online payment option eliminates the wait of mailing a check. The ability to pay immediately by credit or debit card is extremely convenient.
Pay-By-Phone System
In addition to online payments, Benton PUD offers a pay-by-phone system that allows customers to make quick bill payments 24/7 by calling a toll-free number.
To use the automated phone payment system:
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Call (509) 582-2175 for Kennewick customers or (509) 786-1841 for Prosser customers.
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Follow the prompts using your phone keypad to enter your 10-digit account number and payment amount.
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Select your payment method – credit card, debit card, or bank account.
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Enter your payment details and follow prompts to process and confirm your payment.
Benton PUD’s pay-by-phone system recognizes your caller ID, so your account number is pre-populated after using it once. The automated system makes it incredibly easy to pay your bill on your schedule.
Much like online payments, the phone payment option gives Benton PUD customers flexibility and convenience. Call day or night to take care of your bill quickly without leaving home. It’s ideal for times when you don’t have access to the website.
Payment Kiosks
For customers who prefer an in-person bill payment experience without visiting a PUD office, Benton PUD offers outdoor payment kiosks at their Kennewick and Prosser locations.
These self-service kiosks have touch screens that are simple to use. To make a payment, follow these steps:
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Scan or enter the barcode at the bottom of your Benton PUD bill. This will pull up your account.
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Select the amount you wish to pay and choose your payment method – credit/debit or cash.
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Insert your payment into the designated slot on the kiosk.
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Take your receipt confirming your payment.
Benton PUD payment kiosks are accessible 24/7. Located right outside the PUD offices, they provide a convenient option for customers to quickly pay their utility bill at their own pace without having to worry about office hours.
CheckFreePay Payment Stations
In addition to Benton PUD’s own payment kiosks, customers can also pay their utility bills at CheckFreePay stations located inside select stores around Kennewick and Prosser.
Stores that may have CheckFreePay payment stations include:
- Walmart
- Check Into Cash
- Moneytree
- ACE Cash Express
To pay your PUD bill at a CheckFreePay kiosk, enter your Benton PUD account number or scan your barcode. Select your payment amount and method. Then insert your payment into the CheckFreePay kiosk.
While availability varies by location, CheckFreePay kiosks offer another way for Benton PUD customers to easily pay their bills in person at a wide range of stores in the community.
Which Online Bill Pay Method is Right For You?
Benton PUD’s variety of online bill pay options allows customers to choose the method that aligns with their preferences and schedule. Here are some final tips on selecting your payment option:
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For complete account management in one spot, SmartHub can’t be beat. It enables online payments plus tracking energy usage and more.
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If you want reliable automatic payments, set up recurring payments through SmartHub or the pay-by-phone system.
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For spur-of-the-moment payments, utilize the pay online feature or pay-by-phone system to pay immediately any time.
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If you prefer paying in person, use Benton PUD or CheckFreePay payment kiosks for self-service.
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When on the go without computer access, call the pay-by-phone number to quickly pay with your mobile device.
No matter your situation, Benton PUD has a fast, convenient online or automated bill payment option that will save you time and hassle. Simplify your monthly bills by signing up for online payments today.
Sign up for Paperless billing
Signing up for Paperless billing is easy. Enroll or log in to SmartHub® and choose to turn off paper bills.
Find out more about what costs go into your bill
View our bill calculator to understand the costs associated with their monthly bill.
Utilize the SmartHub Usage Feature
FAQ
Who is the general manager of Benton PUD?
How do I pay my Benton PUD bill online?
Make a one-time payment online. It’s quick and easy! Pay your bill any time, any day by calling (509) 582-2175 in Kennewick or (509) 786-1841 in Prosser and following the prompts. Benton PUD locations for ways to pay. Includes three pay stations and two drop boxes.
How do I register a Benton PUD account?
Visit your phone’s app store and download the SmartHub App by searching for Smarthub. Once the app is downloaded, you will be prompted to search for your power service provider. Type in “Benton PUD” and confirm. To register, you will need to enter your account number on your bill, the last name on your account, and an email address.
How is a Benton PUD electric account paid?
Benton PUD electric account payments are collected throughout the year from customers, employees, and members of the community. Qualified customers may receive a $300 payment based on their Benton PUD electric account status and total annual household income, which is disbursed by Community Action Connections (CAC).
What information do I need for a Benton PUD smarthub account?
You’ll also need the mailing zip code or amount of your last bill. Once you’ve registered your account, log in to the Benton PUD SmartHub app. There you will see a variety of services offered including billing history, payment options, electric usage information and much more!
Does Benton PUD offer a monthly discount?
Benton PUD offers monthly discounts of 10%, 15%, or 25% based on their total annual household income and if they or a member of their household have veteran, active military or widow/widower status. The discount amount is either the percentage or the equivalent of the Daily System Charge (whichever is greater).
What is the average bundled electricity bill for Benton PUD customers?
The average monthly bundled electricity bill for Benton PUD customers is $115.57. The average bundled price of electricity for consumers of Benton PUD is 8.70 cents per kilowatt hour (¢/kWh).
