Navigating your monthly utility bill can sometimes feel confusing. At United Cooperative Services, we believe in transparency and making it easy for our members to understand their billing and payment options. This guide breaks down the key components of your United Cooperative Services bill and outlines the various convenient ways you can manage your payments.
Decoding Your United Cooperative Services Bill
Your monthly bill from United Cooperative Services is comprised of two main parts: the cost of purchased power and the distribution charges. A significant portion, typically 70-80 percent, reflects the cost United incurs to purchase wholesale power. The remaining 20-30 percent is the distribution charge. This distribution charge represents United Cooperative Services’ expense to deliver electricity from our substations directly to your home or business. This ensures reliable service to every member within our cooperative.
What is PCRF on My Bill?
You might notice “PCRF” on your United Cooperative Services bill. This acronym stands for Power Cost Recovery Factor. United’s electric utility rate structure includes a PCRF that is designed to adjust based on the fluctuations in the cost of wholesale power. When wholesale power costs increase or decrease, the PCRF is adjusted accordingly. This mechanism helps United Cooperative Services manage the volatile energy market and ensure fair pricing for our members. For the most up-to-date information on your specific PCRF charge, you can easily access your account details by logging into your MyAccount portal on our website. We also provide monthly updates comparing our rates to other utilities through our Rate Watch program, accessible on our website.
Convenient Payment Options from United Cooperative Services
United Cooperative Services is dedicated to providing flexible and accessible payment solutions to suit every member’s needs. We understand that life gets busy, and we want to make paying your bill as hassle-free as possible.
Online Bill Pay: Simple and Efficient
Paying your United Cooperative Services bill online is a popular and convenient choice for many members. Our Online Bill Pay system is a free service that allows you to make payments securely using your debit or credit card. Beyond payments, the online portal provides comprehensive access to your account information. You can review up to 12 months of your usage and billing history, see a detailed breakdown of your current bill, and manage your service locations all in one place. Registering for Online Bill Pay is simple – just find the “Pay Bill Online” section on the homepage of the United Cooperative Services website.
We’ve recently enhanced our online billing experience to offer even greater flexibility. Through our upgraded system, you can now pay your electric and high-speed internet bills online with more options, including payment via text message. This upgrade is powered by InvoiceCloud, our new secure payment processing vendor. For members who previously used automatic credit card drafts, please note that due to security protocols, you will need to re-establish your autopay settings within the new InvoiceCloud system. Visit our Quick Setup Page for step-by-step instructions on how to update your autopay preferences.
Traditional Mail-in Payments
For those who prefer traditional methods, you can still mail in your payment. Simply use the envelope provided with your monthly bill, include a check, and mail it to the address listed on your statement. This reliable method remains a valid and accepted payment option at United Cooperative Services.
Pay in Person or By Phone
For members who prefer face-to-face interactions or phone assistance, United Cooperative Services offers both in-person and phone payment options. You can visit any of our United office locations to pay your bill using cash, personal checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, debit cards, or major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Our Member Service Representatives are also available to assist you with payments over the phone using your debit or credit card. Outside of regular business hours, our interactive voice response telephone system allows you to make payments 24/7. Just call our main number, select the “make a payment” option, and follow the automated prompts. Make sure to have your account number and debit/credit card information ready.
Budget Billing: Predictable Monthly Payments
To help manage fluctuating monthly bills, United Cooperative Services offers Budget Billing. This program smooths out the highs and lows of your electric bills by averaging your power usage over the last 12 months. With Budget Billing, you’ll have a more predictable monthly payment amount, making budgeting easier. During high consumption months, you’ll pay slightly less than your actual usage, and during low consumption months, you’ll pay a bit more. This option is available to members with a good payment history and a fully paid account.
prePower: Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility
For greater control and flexibility, consider prePower, United Cooperative Services’ pay-as-you-go plan. Similar to pre-paid gasoline, prePower allows you to pay for your electricity upfront. Your daily usage is then deducted from your prepaid balance. This option provides the flexibility to pay when you choose and as your budget allows. prePower customers can monitor their daily usage, receive notifications, and make payments as frequently as needed. Certain terms and conditions apply, and a service agreement is required. New members choosing prePower must establish a minimum credit balance of $50, plus any applicable service fees, before meter activation. Contact your local United office to enroll in prePower today.
Additional Payment Options
United Cooperative Services also accommodates various other payment methods:
- Wire transfers: Available for commercial accounts.
- Automatic drafts: Set up automatic payments from your credit card or bank account.
- ACH payments: Pay directly from your online banking service.
- Western Union: Make payments at Western Union locations throughout our service area.
Financial Assistance Resources
United Cooperative Services understands that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes make it difficult to pay your electric bill. If you are facing financial hardship, several governmental and social service agencies may be able to provide assistance. Please refer to the Financial Assistance section within the “Rights As A Member” section of our website for a list of organizations that may be able to help.
By offering a variety of billing and payment options, United Cooperative Services strives to make managing your utility account as convenient and stress-free as possible. We are committed to serving our members and providing reliable, affordable energy services. If you have any questions regarding your bill or payment options, please do not hesitate to contact us.
