Simplify Your Monthly Energy Costs: How Budget Billing Can Work for You

Santee Cooper’s Budget Billing program takes the guesswork out of monthly budgeting and makes expense planning easier by allowing you to pay the same amount toward your electric bill every month.

Instead of worrying about seasonal spikes or unpredictable usage, you’ll enjoy steady, predictable payments that help you manage your household or small business budget with confidence. Budget Billing is especially helpful if you’re on a fixed income or simply prefer not to worry about higher energy bills during hot summer or cold winter months.

Here’s how it works:

1. To qualify for Budget Billing, you must be a residential or small business (GA) customer with active service for at least 12 months and a zero-dollar account balance. (If you’re new to Santee Cooper and don’t yet have a full year of billing history, we can estimate your monthly payment based on your home’s expected energy usage.)
2. Santee Cooper reviews your past 12 months of electricity use to project your average bill for the year. This includes both your energy usage (kWh) and peak demand (kW).
3. Based on that history, we calculate a consistent monthly payment that remains the same for 12 months.
4. At the end of the budget year, we compare your actual energy costs with what you’ve paid. If there’s a difference – either a credit or a balance – it’s rolled into your new Budget Billing amount. If you’d prefer, you can request to receive a credit or pay off a balance separately.

Your actual energy costs compared to what you’ve paid is available on the back of your bill. And even though your bill amount stays the same each month, it’s still important to be mindful of your energy habits – especially during Peak Hours. Learning how to Defeat The Peak helps reduce demand and keeps costs lower for everyone.

To learn more about Budget Billing, visit our billing options webpage or email us at customercare@santeecooper.com. To enroll, click here or give us a call at 800-804-7424.