Abstract
This Energy Insights report summarizes key findings from the Energy Insights'
2008 National Residential Online Panel Prepayment Metering Survey. Although
payment-challenged customers have been the primary market for prepayment
metering, the survey findings, along with the results of utility pilots and
programs, suggest that the program is appealing to a broader audience. In this
report, we look at consumer interest in prepayment and provide insight into the
program features consumers find most valuable. We also discuss the experiences
of four utility companies with prepayment programs or pilots.
"Customers want more billing options, and prepayment is a program every utility
should consider offering," says Barb Ryan, research manager, Energy Insights.
"The program helps payment-challenged customers better manage their energy, but
it is also appealing to customers who want more information and control over
how their household uses energy. The challenge for utilities will be to make
the payment options easy to access and readily available so customers will not
be turned off by inconvenience."
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