More Are Using Consumers Energy's Online Services - Making Life Simpler, Saving Postage and Helping the Environment
JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- One way to simplify your life in
2009, save postage costs and help the environment is by using Consumers
Energy's online eServices option. The number of Consumers Energy customers
who choose to receive and pay their bill online has increased to more than
378,000. That's up from 96,000 customers who made the switch to online
billing three years ago.
"Online billing is free, safe and secure, and it saves the customer about
$5 a year in postage. We continue to see growing interest by customers who
prefer the convenience and benefit of receiving their bill electronically,"
said Frank Lubis, senior business consultant for Consumers Energy. "Customers
tell us they like the online benefit of having one less piece of paper to deal
with, as well as the ability to check out their bill or energy consumption
whenever they choose."
Consumers Energy first offered the option of electronic billing to its
almost 3 million Michigan customers in 1999. The company was among the first
utilities in the country to introduce a recurring online payment option
through Visa. Customer enrollment in the No-fee Monthly Visa option has
increased by 31 percent over the past year.
"In addition to paying their bill online, customers can save time and
money through a number of options available anytime at Consumers Energy's
website," said Lubis. These options include: Reporting a power outage;
receiving a service restoration estimate following a power outage; selecting
or changing your payment method; setting up a payment schedule; reporting a
payment or meter read; starting, transferring or stopping an electric or
natural gas service; checking your electric or gas rate; or tracking your
home's energy use.
Consumers Energy's website also offers a host of frequently asked
questions which provide customers with information about energy and service-
related issues.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural
gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents
in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
