A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Polk Burnett Electric Bill

Having reliable electric service is essential for any home or business. But keeping up with electric bill payments on a consistent schedule can sometimes be a challenge Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative aims to make paying your electric bills as quick and convenient as possible. This guide will walk through all the payment options available and offer tips for staying on top of your Polk Burnett electric account

Overview of Polk Burnett Electric

Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric utility company serving portions of Polk, Burnett, Washburn, Barron, and St Croix counties in Wisconsin. They provide electric distribution services to over 20,000 members

As a cooperative, Polk Burnett Electric is owned by the members they serve. The company is governed by a democratically elected board of directors who help set policies and make decisions for the co-op. Their mission is providing members with reliable, affordable electric service.

Why Paying Your Bill Matters

There are several important reasons why you should always pay your electric bill on time every month:

• Avoid Late Fees – Polk Burnett charges late payment fees if bills are paid after the due date. This adds an unnecessary expense.

• Stop Disconnection—Polk Burnett has the right to cut off electric service if bills aren’t paid for a long time. This can be a major inconvenience.

• Maintain Good Standing—Members who pay their bills on time stay in good standing with the co-op and can use certain services or programs.

• Support Co-op Operations – The revenue from monthly electric bills helps cover operational costs and investments in infrastructure.

Polk Burnett Electric Bill Payment Options

Polk Burnett offers numerous payment options to fit any schedule or preference:

Pay Online

The quickest and easiest way to pay is online through SmartHub, the co-op’s account management portal. SmartHub allows you to review billing history, make payments, set up alerts, and more.

You can make one-time payments or set up recurring payments through SmartHub. Accepted payment methods include credit card, debit card, or electronic funds transfer from a bank account.

Pay By Phone

To pay by phone, members can utilize Polk Burnett’s automated pay-by-phone system. Simply call 715-646-2191 and select option 2 to make a payment 24/7 using a credit card or checking account.

Pay by Mail

For those who prefer to mail in payments, electric bills can be sent via US Mail to:

Polk Burnett Electric Cooperative
1001 State Road 35
Centuria, WI 54824

Mailed payments must be received by the due date to avoid late fees. Allow 3-5 business days for delivery.

Pay in Person

Polk Burnett has two local office locations where bills can be paid in person with cash, check, or credit/debit card. The offices are open Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. After-hours payments can be deposited in the drop boxes.

Pay at Retailers

Through Paymentus, Polk Burnett members can pay their electric bill with cash at local retailers like Dollar General, Walmart, and others. You simply present the barcode from your SmartHub account and pay the cash + $1.50 convenience fee.

Automatic Bill Pay

Sign up for automatic bill payment through SmartHub to have payments automatically withdrawn from your bank account each month. This ensures your bills are paid on time without any hassle.

Tips for Paying Your Polk Burnett Electric Bill

Follow these tips for staying on track with your electric bill payments:

• Sign up for paperless billing through SmartHub to receive bills electronically.

• Opt in to SmartHub alerts to receive notifications about current billing activity and due dates.

• Review billing history and usage through SmartHub to stay informed about your electricity costs.

• Consider budget billing to have fixed monthly electric payments to better plan expenses.

• Sign up for automatic bill pay to ensure on-time payment every month.

• Pay online for fastest processing and utilize mobile check deposit if mailing physical checks.

• Contact Polk Burnett immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying on time to discuss arrangements.

• Check for energy assistance programs if eligible, such as Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program.

What to Do if You Can’t Pay Your Bill

If you are ever unable to pay your Polk Burnett electric bill by the due date, take action quickly:

• Contact Polk Burnett as soon as possible at 800-421-0283 to discuss payment plan options.

• Apply for energy bill assistance programs if you qualify for income-based support.

• Request an extension or make partial payment arrangements to avoid disconnection.

• Look for ways to reduce your energy usage and lower your monthly electric costs.

• Consider negotiating alternative due dates that better align with your pay schedule.

• Don’t ignore past due notices or disconnection warnings as this can lead to additional fees.

Key Takeaways

• Paying electric bills fully and on time should be a priority to avoid penalties and potential service disruptions.

• Polk Burnett offers numerous payment methods including online, phone, mail, in person, and automatic payments.

• SmartHub provides the most convenient way to manage payments and monitor electric account activity.

• Reach out to Polk Burnett immediately if you anticipate issues paying on time to explore options.

• Consistent on-time payment helps members maintain positive standing with the co-op.

Keeping up with electric bills can feel burdensome at times. But Polk Burnett Electric provides user-friendly payment options and support to make it as simple as possible. Staying informed about billing and proactively managing payments will lead to an overall positive experience with your electric cooperative.