Gulf Power Transitions to Florida Power & Light on January 1

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Staff reports

Gulf Power has issued a Top 10 list of what customers can expect in January when it transitions to Florida Power & Light (FPL).

Starting Jan. 3, 2022, you can manage your account at FPL.com and the FPL Mobile App, both of which you can access using your existing username and password. The automated phone system will also be available.

1 Our name is changing, but our commitment remains – On Jan, 1, 2022, Gulf Power will complete its transition to FPL. At that time, you will be an FPL customer. This means your bills and other important communication will come from FPL, and Gulf Power office buildings, trucks and uniforms will be rebranded with the FPL logo. Please note, there will be a short transition period when you may see employee uniforms and vehicles with either the FPL logo or Gulf Power logo. While the company name will change, our commitment to Northwest FL will remain as strong as ever. We’re proud to continue to call you neighbors and remain here to serve you.

2 New rates and tariffs – You will have new rates and tariffs as part of the new four-year rate plan unanimously approved by the Florida Public Service Commission. In fact, after an initial increase in January 2022, the typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill in Northwest FL is projected to become increasingly more affordable and, by 2025, be less than it is today. Stay tuned for more information about all new rates and fees with your January bill. Residential customers can get an idea of the effect that the new rates will have on 2022 bills.

3 A new rate structure  – Residential customer bills will be calculated using a tiered rate structure of different rates: one for energy consumption and fuel up to 1,000 kWh, and another for consumption and fuel over 1,000 kWh. This approved rate structure, which is used by other Florida electric utilities, encourages customers to become more energy efficient. We have free online tools to help you monitor your energy use and increase your energy efficiency to help lower your bills. See what you can do to save on your bill.

4 New website – Gulf Power will begin its transition to FPL the evening of Dec. 30, 2021. At that time, GulfPower.com will no longer be available. Starting Jan. 3, 2022, your new web experience will be available at FPL.com where you can use your existing username and password to login and manage your account.

5 Navigating FPL.com – To ensure you have the best experience and receive the correct information at all times, you will see FPL Northwest FL throughout your billing, payments and web experiences. Get a preview so you know what to expect in January.

6 New mobile app – Starting the evening of Dec. 30, 2021, the Gulf Power Mobile App will no longer be available. On Jan. 3, 2022, you can download the FPL Mobile App to manage your account using your existing username and password. During the download process, be sure to take the time to learn about all the features your new app has to offer, including FPL eBill®.

7 Late payment charge – Ultimately, unpaid utility bills are paid for by all customers, which is why it’s important for every customer to pay their bills on time. We’re committed to supporting customers experiencing hardship while also balancing the needs of all customers. As such, customer bills will be subject to a late payment charge. The greater of $5 or 1.5% of your past due balance will apply. Your account may also be billed a deposit adjustment. Note, if the bill you receive in December has a due date of Jan. 1, 2022, or later, it will be subject to the late fee if not paid by the due date. Look for more information about all new rates and fees with your January bill.

8 Receiving and paying your bills – You’ll see FPL Northwest FL on your bills and when you go to pay them. This will help ensure you have the best experience and receive the correct information at all times. Here is some other helpful information for you to know before you pay your bills, starting in January.

9 Get ahead of high bill season – Energy use can increase during certain times of the year for many different reasons, including cold weather. Now is the time to start thinking about your home and appliances as we head into colder, winter months. With the fuel portion of your electric bill increasing due to high global demand and supply restrictions, making your home more energy efficient now can help keep your electric bills within the range you’re used to paying. View our energy savings tips.

10 New Hours of Operation – Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m; Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m; Sunday: Closed.

System unavailability: Gulf Power will begin to transition its systems to FPL on the evening of Dec. 30, 2021. At that time, you will be unable to manage your account, make a payment or report an outage on our website, mobile app or through our automated phone system until the transition is complete. Rest assured, there will be no disconnections or adverse impacts to the status of your account while our systems are unavailable. If you experience an outage, you can continue to report it at 800-487-6937.

The company continues to offer payment extensions and connect customers with available financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.