Easy Guide to Burlington Electric Bill Pay Online: Making Your Life Simpler

Have you been struggling with remembering to pay your electric bill on time? I’ve been there too! As someone who’s lived in Burlington for years I’ve found that Burlington Electric Department’s online bill pay system has been a total game-changer for me and many other residents. Today I wanna share everything you need to know about managing your Burlington Electric bill online.

Why Choose Online Bill Payment for Burlington Electric?

Let’s face it – nobody enjoys paying bills, but Burlington Electric Department (BED) has made the process much less painful with their online payment system. When I first switched to e-billing, I noticed these benefits right away:

• Save trees by eliminating paper bills
• No more stamps or trips to the mailbox
• Track your energy usage patterns
• Set up automatic payments so you never forget
• Access billing history anytime

One of our neighbors, Mrs. Johnson, told me she reduced her monthly stress levels significantly after switching to online payments. “I don’t have to worry about bills getting lost in the mail anymore,” she said with relief.

Setting Up Your Online BED Account

The process to set up your online account is pretty straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Visit the Burlington Electric Department website at burlingtonelectric.com/my-bill
2. Click on the “Pay My Bill Online” link
3. Create your account using your customer ID and location ID (found on your paper bill)
4. Set up your username and password
5. Enter your payment information

After setting this up, you can log in anytime to view your usage, check your balance, or make a payment. I personally found the setup took less than 10 minutes – definitely worth the time investment!

Ways to Pay Your Burlington Electric Bill Online

Burlington Electric offers several convenient ways to pay your bill electronically:

Credit or Debit Card Payments

This is probably the most popular option, and the one I use most often. BED accepts VISA, MasterCard, and Discover cards. The process is secure and takes just a few clicks.

To pay by card

1. Log into your BED online account
2. Select the “Pay My Bill” option
3. Enter your card information
4. Confirm the payment amount
5. Submit your payment

If you prefer not to create an online account, you can still pay by phone through their automated system at 1-866-665-9575. I’ve used this a couple times when my internet was down, and it works great!

E-Billing: The Environmentally Friendly Option

One of my favorite features is e-billing. When you sign up, your monthly bill comes directly to your email inbox instead of your physical mailbox. This option:

• Helps BED keep costs down (which helps keep our rates lower)
• Reduces paper waste
• Makes it easier to track your bills in your email
• Gives you immediate notification when your bill is ready

We’ve been using e-billing for about 3 years now, and it’s been super reliable. The bills arrive like clockwork around the same time each month.

Auto-Payment Options

If you’re like me and sometimes forget due dates, the auto-payment feature is a lifesaver You can set up automatic withdrawals from your checking account or automatic charges to your credit card.

I personally prefer the credit card option since I earn points on my card, but either way works great. Just remember to update your card information if it expires or changes!

Traditional Payment Methods Still Available

While online payment is convenient, Burlington Electric understands that not everyone prefers digital options. You can still:

• Mail a check using the return envelope provided with your paper bill
• Visit their office at 585 Pine Street (open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays)
• Use one of their secure drop boxes at:
  • City Hall (Church Street entrance)
  • BED Office at 585 Pine Street

Just remember not to put cash in the drop boxes! I made that mistake once and was pretty worried until I called and they reassured me the payment had been received.

Budget Payment Plan for Predictable Bills

One of the most helpful options BED offers is their Budget Payment Plan for residential customers. This allows you to pay the same amount each month over a 12-month period instead of dealing with seasonal fluctuations.

This was a game-changer for us during winter months when our heating usage would spike our bill. With the budget plan, we know exactly what to expect each month, making household budgeting much easier.

To sign up for this plan, just call BED’s Customer Service at 802-865-7300. They’re super helpful and can answer any questions you might have.

What If You’re Having Trouble Paying Your Bill?

We all go through tough financial times. During the pandemic, our family income was temporarily reduced, and we found ourselves struggling to pay bills. Burlington Electric was incredibly understanding and helpful during this period.

If you’re having trouble paying your bill, BED offers several assistance options:

BED Energy Assistance Program

Burlington Electric provides a 12.5% discount for eligible low-income customers. You may qualify if you’re enrolled in:

• State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program
• Federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program
• 3SquaresVT

I have a cousin who qualified for this program, and she said the application process was straightforward and the discount made a significant difference in her monthly budget.

Payment Arrangements

If you can’t pay your full bill, call BED Customer Service at 802-865-7300. They can help arrange a payment plan so you can pay your bill over time. From personal experience, they’re very willing to work with customers facing temporary hardships.

Additional Assistance Programs

BED also connects customers with other assistance programs:

• CVOEO: (802) 863-6248
• Salvation Army: (802) 864-6991
• Age Well – Agency on Aging: 1 (800) 642-5119
• Catholic Charities: (802) 658-6111
• JUMP – Joint Urban Ministry Project: (802) 862-4501
• Joseph’s House: (802) 951-4290
• Fuel Assistance – Economic Services Division: (800) 479-6151

My elderly neighbor used Age Well’s services last winter, and they were able to provide emergency assistance when her heating costs spiked unexpectedly.

Understanding High Bills

Ever opened your bill and thought, “Why is it so high this month?!” I certainly have! There are several reasons your bill might be higher than expected:

• Seasonal changes (summer A/C or winter heating)
• Guests staying at your home
• New appliances
• More time spent at home
• Billing cycle variations (some months have more days)

When we installed our hot tub last summer, our first bill afterward was shocking! But once we understood the energy impact, we were able to adjust our usage patterns.

If your bill seems unusually high, you can always call BED Customer Service at 802-865-7300. They can check your meter reading or even schedule a free energy audit to help identify potential issues.

Energy Efficiency Programs

One thing I really appreciate about Burlington Electric is their commitment to helping customers save energy. After our high bill shock, we contacted their Energy Services team for a free consultation, and they provided some amazing tips that helped us lower our usage.

They offer rebates and incentives for:

• Heat pumps
• Electric vehicles
• Solar installations
• Energy-efficient appliances

These programs have helped many Burlington residents reduce their energy consumption and lower their monthly bills.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes technology can be frustrating! Here are some common issues people encounter with online bill pay and how to resolve them:

Forgotten Password

If you forget your password, just click the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. You’ll receive an email with instructions to reset it. I’ve had to do this more times than I’d like to admit!

Payment Not Showing Up

Sometimes there’s a delay between when you make a payment and when it appears in your account. Don’t panic! If you’ve received a confirmation number, your payment has been processed. It typically takes 1-2 business days to reflect in your account.

Website Access Problems

If you’re having trouble accessing the website, try:

• Clearing your browser cache
• Using a different browser
• Checking your internet connection

I find that Chrome works best with their site, but Firefox is a good backup option.

Final Thoughts on Burlington Electric’s Online Bill Pay

Moving to online bill payment with Burlington Electric has been one of those small changes that made a big difference in my household management. No more late fees, no more paper clutter, and I can check my usage anytime to help manage our energy consumption.

The system is user-friendly, secure, and offers multiple payment options to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer auto-payments for convenience or manual payments for more control, there’s an option that will work for your lifestyle.

As Burlington continues to move toward becoming a more sustainable city, taking advantage of paperless billing and online payment options is a small but meaningful step we can all take. Plus, the time saved from not having to write checks, find stamps, and mail envelopes is a nice bonus!

Have you tried Burlington Electric’s online bill pay system yet? If not, I highly recommend giving it a try. The convenience factor alone has been worth it for our family, not to mention the environmental benefits of reducing paper waste.

And remember, if you ever have questions or need assistance, BED’s customer service team at 802-865-7300 is just a phone call away. They’ve always been super helpful whenever I’ve needed to reach out.

So go ahead – set up that online account and experience the convenience of managing your Burlington Electric bill from the comfort of your couch. Your future self will thank you when you’re not scrambling to mail that payment at the last minute!