Having reliable, affordable electric service is something we often take for granted But keeping the lights on requires customers to pay their electric bills on time each month This article will walk through the different ways Wild Rice Electric Cooperative members can pay their electric bills, either online, by phone, by mail or in person.
Locate Your Account Number
The first step is locating your Wild Rice Electric account number which can be found on the top right corner of your monthly paper bill. It is a 7 digit number that you’ll need handy whenever you pay your bill or call us. Having this number makes paying your bill much faster no matter which method you choose.
Pay Online with SmartHub
The fastest, most convenient way to pay your electric bill is through SmartHub, Wild Rice Electric’s online payment system. With SmartHub you can securely pay your bill 24/7 using electronic check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover card. Here’s how it works:
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Go to www.wildriceelectric.com/smarthub and click “Pay Now”
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Enter your account number and set up your password
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Select whether you want to make a one-time payment or recurring payments
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Enter your payment info and submit
Online payments through SmartHub are processed immediately, so you can have peace of mind knowing your payment went through. You’ll receive an emailed receipt as well.
Pay by Phone
To pay your electric bill by phone, call 1-800-244-5709 and select option 2. You’ll need to have your 7 digit account number handy to process the payment using our automated system.
Phone payments can be made 24/7 using electronic check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover card. A $2.50 service fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
Speaking with a customer service representative is also an option during business hours, Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm.
Pay by Mail
Sending your payment by mail is a simple option that doesn’t require postage. Just follow these steps:
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Fill out the payment stub attached to your latest bill
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Write a check or money order payable to Wild Rice Electric Coop
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Place it in the return envelope provided with your bill
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Drop the envelope in any mailbox
Mailed payments take around 5 business days to process, so mail it a few days before your due date. Cash cannot be accepted by mail – checks or money orders only.
Pay in Person
You can pay your electric bill in-person at Wild Rice Electric Cooperative Headquarters:
Address: 502 N Main St, Mahnomen, MN 56557
Hours: Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm
In-person payments can be made by cash, check, money order or credit/debit card. A small service fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
The drive-thru window is a convenient option that allows you to pay without leaving your vehicle. Just drive up and let the clerk know you are there to pay your electric bill.
Bank Drafts
For automatic bill payment, consider enrolling in bank drafts which withdraws the amount due directly from your checking or savings account each month.
To set up bank drafts:
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Download the authorization form from the Wild Rice Electric website
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Fill out the form completely and include a voided check
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Mail everything to the address provided
Bank drafts occur on the due date shown on your bill. You’ll still receive a paper bill for your records. Notify us immediately if you switch bank accounts.
Understand Your Electric Bill
Now that you know how to pay your bill, let’s make sure you understand the key parts of your Wild Rice Electric bill:
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Service period: Shows the date range your usage is being billed for, typically 30 days.
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Meter reading: Your electric meter measures your exact energy usage each month. Usage is shown in kWh.
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Delivery charges: Costs for delivering electricity over power lines and infrastructure.
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Wholesale power cost: Wild Rice Electric’s cost for purchasing electricity from suppliers.
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Taxes: Local and state taxes added to the bill.
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Misc service fees: Charges for any special services on your account.
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Current month total: Sum of all your electric charges and taxes for the billing period.
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Payment due date: Date your payment must be received to avoid late fees.
Compare usage month-to-month to detect increases that could signal inefficient appliances or other issues. The typical home uses 800-1200 kWh per month. Contact us if you notice significantly higher usage.
Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection
It’s important to pay your electric bill by the due date printed on your statement to avoid penalties or service interruption. Here is what can happen if your payment is late:
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A late fee of $10 or 1.5% of the balance (whichever is greater) is added if payment is not received on the due date.
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A disconnect notice is sent once a bill is 15 days past due.
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If the balance remains unpaid after the disconnect date, your electric service will be interrupted.
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To restore service, you must pay the past due amount IN FULL plus a $100 reconnect fee.
Pay your electric bill on time every month to avoid expensive late fees and inconvenient power shutoffs. Contact us immediately if you are struggling to pay on time.
Payment Arrangements
If you’re unable to pay a past due balance in full, you may qualify for a payment plan to avoid disconnection. Here is how it works:
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A down payment of 10% of the past due amount is required
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The remaining balance can be paid over 3-6 months
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As long as you make the agreed installments, your power will remain on
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Arrangements only apply to past due balances – current bills must still be paid by the due date
Call us right away if you receive a disconnect notice so we can set up a payment plan before your service is interrupted.
Financial Assistance Programs
If you are facing financial challenges, assistance programs may be available:
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State and federal low-income home energy assistance programs (LIHEAP)
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Salvation Army HeatShare utility grants
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Local church assistance funds
Start the application process as soon as possible if you need help paying your electric bill. There are community resources for those struggling to maintain utility service.
Special Considerations for Renters
Renters who are responsible for paying the electric bill
As Wild Rice Electric reopens its lobby doors, we ask you to click on the button below to find out how you can help create a safe and healthy business environment. Wild Rice Electric thanks you for your cooperation and understanding.
What makes Wild Rice Electric Cooperative different from many utilities? The answer is simple: We are a not-for-profit cooperative and exist for the sole purpose of meeting the needs of our member-owners.
Wild Rice Electric Cooperative Open Enrollment
How do I contact wild rice Electric Cooperative?
Click the button below or call our office at 1-800-244-5709. Scroll down to our Facebook feed to find power outage restoration updates. 24-hour bill pay is available by calling 1-855-949-5868. Wild Rice Electric Cooperative recognizes that energy conservation is the best way for members to reduce their electric bills.
How can I pay my Wild Rice Electric bill?
You can pay your Wild Rice Electric bill by using our IVR system by calling 1-855-949-5868. Alternatively, on or about the 22nd of each month, Wild Rice Electric debits your bank account for the electric bill. You will continue to receive your monthly bill as you have in the past, indicating the amount that will be withdrawn from your account.
What types of rebates does wild rice offer?
These programs offer rebates for a variety of products, including off-peak electric heating equipment, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, insulation upgrades, programmable thermostats and more! Wild Rice maintains 3,497 miles of overhead lines and 517 miles of underground lines.