How To Pay My Bill
Sign Up For E-billing
Sign up for e-billing to receive your monthly bill by email. You will save trees, as well as printing, stuffing, and mailing costs. These savings help us keep your electric rates low.
Pay By Credit or Debit Card
When you set up your online BED account, you can pay your bill and also check your usage. If you have questions about our new online account system, visit our BED Account Frequently Asked Questions.
- We accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.
- Customers can also call an automated toll-free number: 1-866-665-9575.
Paying By Cash or Check
- Mail it back in the return envelope that comes with your bill.
- Bring the payment to our offices at 585 Pine Street.
- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays
- Place your payment in one of the BED drop boxes located at:
- TD Banknorth (Main Street entrance)
- City Hall (Church Street entrance)
- BED Office at 585 Pine Street
- Please do not place cash in any of our night drop boxes. We can’t be held responsible.
Please write your customer and location ID numbers on all checks and correspondence sent to us.
During an extended vacation, you may pay your electric bill ahead of time based on bills from past years, or you may elect to use BED’s convenient automatic debit or budget payment plans.
Budget Payment Plan (residential only)
BED’s budget payment plan allows customers who sign up to pay the same amount each month over a 12-month period. If you want to sign up for the Budget Payment Plan or have any questions please contact Customer Service at 802-865-7300.
Need Help Paying Your Bill
If there comes a time when you can’t pay all or part of your electric bill, please call our Customer Service area at 802-865-7300. We will help you make arrangements to pay your bill over time.
BED Energy Assistance Program (Residential Only)
Burlington Electric Department (BED) supports our low-income customers who need assistance through our Energy Assistance Program, which provides a 12.5 percent discount for eligible customers. BED continues to encourage low-income customers who are enrolled in the State of Vermont Fuel Assistance Program, federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, or 3SquaresVT to apply for BED’s Energy Assistance Program.
Further, we encourage customers to learn about opportunities to save energy and money through efficiency measures by connecting with our Energy Services team for a free consultation.
More Assistance Programs
If you ever need help paying your home heating bills during the winter, see if you qualify for fuel assistance funding. Please call one of the following numbers for more information and applications:
CVOEO
(802) 863-6248
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. First-come-first-serve daily basis. Mid October to end of April
Criteria: In person unless 60 yrs+ or disabled. Have to be in Disconnect status, needs disco notice.
Salvation Army
(802) 864-6991
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 9am-12pm; Season: Year round.
Criteria: Must apply in Person.
Age Well – Agency on Aging
1 (800) 642-5119
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30am-4:30pm. Year round, when funds are available.
Criteria: 60+ Only. Must try CVOEO first. To avoid disconnect only.
Catholic Charities
(802) 658-6111
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm. First-come-first-serve monthly basis. Year round.
Criteria: Disconnect notice needed and Photo ID
Appointments are on a first come, first service basis starting with 1st of each month.
Jump – Joint Urban Ministry Project
(802) 862-4501
Hours: Doors open at 8am, people begin lining up at 7:30am. Year round.
In Person only. First-come-first-serve daily basis.
Can assist up to 11 people per day with pledges on a first come-first serve in-person basis.
Joseph’s House
(802) 951-4290 Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm. Year round.
Criteria: Appointment needed
Fuel Assistance – Economic Services Division
(800) 479-6151
Season: Up to 2 times per year
Criteria: Must qualify through application process. Applications online www.mybenefits.vt.gov or by calling.
You can also call one of the following numbers:
Department of Social Welfare: 802-863-7365
Champlain Valley Area Agency on Aging: 802-865-0360
Chittenden Community Action: 802-863-6248
Resolve Billing Problems
If you have a question about your bill, please call our customer service representatives at 802-865-7300. If we are unable to resolve your problem, you may also call the Consumer Affairs Division of the Vermont Department of Public Service at 1-800-622-4496.
Why Is My Bill So High This Month?
If your bill is fluctuating from month to month or appears to be higher than it should considering your usage, there are several things to consider.
A fluctuation in your bill may be due to a change in how you used energy in the previous month. Typically, a home is equipped with many energy-using appliances that are not always used the same amount each month. You may have had guests, which could have contributed to higher water usage (causing an electric water heater to run more), more lights being used (or being used longer), more laundry, cooking, etc.
The time of year is another possible reason for a bill fluctuation. During the summer months, appliances such as dehumidifiers, air conditioners, fans and swimming pool pumps are running. In the winter, most heating systems use electricity to circulate the heat. People spend more time indoors and use more lighting.
Generally, a meter is read every 30 days. This can vary by a few days meaning a higher or lower bill than average. It will state on your electric bill the number of days the bill covers.
If you think your bill has changed drastically and none of these factors apply, call Customer Service at 802-865-7300. One of our representatives may be able to offer an explanation, make arrangements to double-check the meter reading, or schedule a free energy audit.