Equal payment plan can cut your utility bill

Signing up for your utility's equal payment plan can help make your bills more manageable.

These payment plans are convenient for people who anticipate having high gas or electric bills this winter. You can also budget better for high electricity costs due related to running an air conditioner in the summer.

Equal payment plans simply estimate your annual energy usage and divide that amount by 12 to get a monthly payment. At the end of the year the bill is adjusted and you either pay whatever extra cost you've incurred or get a refund if you've overpaid.

It usually only takes a few minutes to sign up for equal payment plans, which are free at most utilities.