Are you a DTE Energy customer in Michigan? If so, you’ve probably wondered how to save money on your DTE Energy bills!
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Check out these helpful payment options!
If you’re having trouble making your payments, DTE Energy may accept a payment agreement for your past due balance. Payment agreements require a down payment. The remaining balance will be paid in monthly installments. You’ll also have to continue paying your new bills on time.
Flexible Due Dates allow you to pick a due date that coincides with your paydays. For customers who are only paid monthly, this is a very helpful service.
Avoid seasonally high bills with BudgetWise Billing. This service averages your annual usage into 12 equal payments. If you are currently behind in your payments, you may even be able to defer some of your past-due balance into your monthly BudgetWise Billing payments!
You can also enroll in the Double-Notice Protection Program, which sends a copy of any shut-off notices you receive to a consenting friend, relative or agency. This is especially helpful to vulnerable adults or those with medical emergencies.
If you’re having trouble understanding your bill, click here for a helpful guide!
Save money on your DTE Energy bills!
The Residential Income Assistance Credit (RIA) provides a $6 per month discount on electric accounts and $10.50 per month discounts on gas accounts. These credits are available to customers whose incomes are at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
The Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP) can assist customers whose incomes are at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. With this program, customers pay a certain amount each month (based on their income and energy use). The remaining portion of the bill is subsidized by energy assistance programs. As long as you make on-time payments under the LSP, your past-due balance will be reduced. You will not have your service disconnected and you will not accrue late charges while you participate in this program. You can apply for this program between October 1 and mid-February!
All customers can participate in a free home energy survey. It takes only a few minutes t complete and you may qualify to receive a FREE energy efficiency kit with up to $45 worth of easy-to-install products! You may receive LED lightbulbs, high-efficiency showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe wraps, nightlights and more!
You may also qualify for a FREE home energy consultation! During the consultation, a trained energy advisor will visit your home and help you identify the most effective ways to save money on your bill. You’ll also receive FREE energy-efficient products and get them installed completely free!
The best way to save money on your bill is to participate in the state’s Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program! This program provides free energy-efficiency upgrades to Michigan renters and homeowners who have incomes at or below 200% of the FPL. You could receive thousands of dollars in free upgrades and save hundreds of dollars on your DTE Energy bills!
If you qualify for the state’s weatherization program, you may also qualify for the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program! This program could provide you with a FREE refrigerator replacement, FREE insulation, FREE high-efficiency heating equipment, a free test/tune-up of your furnace and more!
You can also use the free DTE Insight app to monitor your smart meter. This app will help you monitor your energy use, set a budget, view your daily energy cost and better manage your overall power bill expenses.
Choose the right energy plan for your household!
DTE Energy provides a number of helpful rate plans for their customers. By default, customers are placed on the standard Residential Electric Service Rate plan.
If you have an air conditioning unit (including a heat pump), you can save up to 18% on the cooling portion of your bill by allowing DTE Energy to cycle the unit on and off when electrical demand is high.
You can also save on your water heater costs by allowing DTE Energy to cycle your water heater’s heating element on and off periodically.
If you are organized with your electrical usage and you can avoid using electricity during peak demand times, you may be able to save money with the Residential Time of Day Rate Option.
The Residential Time of Day Rate offers cheap rates for electricity used during off-peak hours, such as weekdays before 11am and after 7pm. Weekends are also off-peak hours. Energy consumed during on-peak hours (between 11am and 7pm weekdays, for example) will be billed at expensive, premium prices.
DTE Energy offers shut-off protection plans!
The Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP) helps low-income customers (at or below 200% FPL) and all senior citizens (age 62+) manage heir outstanding balances. This plan provides year-round protection from disconnection as long as monthly payments are made regularly. You must pay a down payment to enroll in this program.
The Winter Protection Plan (WPP) prevents disconnection and high utility bills during the heating season. This program is in effect between November 1 and the end of March annually. Customers whose incomes are at 150% of the FPL or below will not have their service disconnected during this time as long as they make certain minimum payments.
The Senior Winter Protection Plan protects all adults who are at least 62 years old from disconnections during the heating season regardless of their ability to pay. However, customers who use the Senior Winter Protection Plan are encouraged to continue paying their bills to avoid large balances at the end of the season.
Medical Emergency Shut-off Protection is also available. If you have a proven medical emergency and you supply written proof from a doctor or public health official, you may be able to postpone shut-off by 21 days.
Active Military Protection also prevents shut-off for up to 90 days when the account holder (or their spouse) is called to full-time active duty during an emergency or war. This protection can be extended as needed.
Get help with your DTE Energy bill!
The State Emergency Relief Program (SER) can provide emergency help to low income households. The state may help you pay the amount necessary to continue your service for an additional 30 days. You will be required to pay a portion of the bill yourself. You will only qualify if you meet certain income limits and have a past-due utility bill or shut-off notice.
Veterans may be able to receive assistance through the Michigan Veteran’s Trust Fund. This fund provides temporary assistance to veterans and their families who are facing a financial emergency or hardship.
You may also be able to get assistance from The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), the Salvation Army and/or the Michigan Community Council.
Don’t miss these helpful DTE Energy programs!
You can get instant discounts when you purchase energy saving products from the DTE Energy marketplace.
Save even MORE money in Michigan!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.