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BudgetWise Billing®

You are eligible for BudgetWise Billing if: 

  • You have active DTE service
  • Your current account balance is in good standing and less than $12 
  • You’re not enrolled in any of these DTE payment plans: Electric Choice, SolarCurrents®, Dynamic Peak Pricing, Net Metering or Flexible Due Date

Enroll Here. You will be prompted to sign-in to your DTE online account if you are not already logged-in.

Your budget billing plan will begin at the start of your next billing statement after enrollment.

Your monthly payment amount is the average energy costs at your current address over the past 12 months. If you’ve occupied the address for less than 12 months, the bill history of the previous occupant is used to calculate your 12 month12-month average.

Energy costs include energy usage, energy rates, taxes and fees. Energy rates may fluctuate throughout the year, and we take this into account when determining your initial monthly payment.

Not necessarily. Your monthly payment amount is reviewed every three months against your actual home energy costs over the past 12 months. If your energy costs changed by 5% or more over the 12-month period, your monthly payment amount may increase or decrease. 

Our goal is to keep your monthly bill as consistent as possible. Please remember your total energy costs are based on the energy you actually used. 

If you significantly change your energy usage, your BudgetWise Billing amount will change, too. Factors can include major weather changes; adding or removing a hot tub, swimming pool or appliances; and a change in the number of people living in your home that influences your energy use.

A change in your monthly amount will happen after a Quarterly Review (as described in the previous answer). 

In addition to Quarterly Reviews, there is a Nine Month Review when your total monthly payments are compared to your actual energy costs. If your energy costs were more than what you paid, the difference will be distributed equally over the final three months of your plan. This distribution helps to minimize your annual settlement amount.

If there is a change to your monthly payment, you will be notified at the bottom of your bill in the “Important Information” section, and by email if you are subscribed to email alerts about your account.

During the 12th month of your plan, we review your account and settle any differences between energy used and the amount paid. Differences are addressed in Settlement Month:  

  • If your energy costs were less than your total payments, the amount you overpaid will be credited on your next bill, or you may request a check.
  • If your energy costs were higher than your total payments, you’re required to pay the full amount by your bill due date in order to remain eligible for BudgetWise Billing for another year.

"Your Payment Plan Summary," on the left side of your statement, shows the amount due for your plan.

"Actual Balance Information," on the right side, shows your actual energy charges. That’s the amount you would pay if you were not enrolled in BudgetWise Billing. So, by monitoring “Actual Balance Information” you can always be aware of the balance on your account.

For more information, please see How to Read a BudgetWise Billing Statement on the program information page. You will find more program information there as well as an opportunity to enroll.

You must pay your bill by the next due date to remain on BudgetWise Billing.

You can sign in to your account and unenroll from BudgetWise Billing at any time. By doing so, you will owe the outstanding balance in addition to your current monthly charges.

We recommend that you continue with your monthly BudgetWise Billing Plan payment, even if your account has a credit balance. It is normal to have a credit at some point in the plan.

Usually, during the slower months (non-peak season), this aligns with the plan leveling and can offset peak season bills. It can also help offset and minimize the possibility of having a large settlement balance at the end of the plan.

You will need to reenroll in BudgetWise Billing at your new address.