We’ll Get Through This Together

We’re Committed to Public Safety and Uninterrupted Service

What we’re doing to keep you—and our team—safe and healthy

DTE cares deeply about the communities in which we live and serve. The coronavirus pandemic is impacting companies around the world, and it is changing the way we do business at DTE. Our entire organization is prepared and actively addressing the challenges we’re now facing together every day.

We have processes in place to ensure reliable energy delivery. We are extending shut-off protections, offering billing assistance and sharing energy savings tips to help those most severely impacted by the pandemic. We remain on call to respond to outages and emergencies.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to receive account information and make payments. Please visit dteenergy.com/online to learn about our multiple payment options, many of which may make it easier for you to budget and pay your bills.

Together, we will get through this and will continue to provide the energy that serves as the foundation of our recovery.

To help families and our community during this challenging time, learn more about the DTE Foundation matching gift program.

Business Customers: We’re here to help you. See how.

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Health and safety are our top priorities

While we have suspended all non-essential in-home and field work, we are still out doing some critical tasks and our teams are following rigorous protocols to keep all of us safe. This includes wearing personal protective gear such as nitrile gloves and disinfecting areas where work is done. If you encounter a DTE employee, please help us maintain social distancing of at least six feet and avoid physical contact so we may all stay safe. View our Redford Service Center team’s message to customers.

Frequently asked questions

We understand the uncertainty customers may be facing with the impact of COVID-19 on daily life. DTE is working around the clock to ensure homes and businesses have the energy they need. Below are answers to common questions.

Be aware of COVID-19 related scams

Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 health crisis to prey upon people when they are vulnerable. Follow these steps to avoid being a victim:

On the phone:

  • DO NOT trust your caller ID. Scammers are using caller ID spoofing to make the call appear to originate from DTE Energy. If you suspect the call may be fraudulent, hang up and call DTE Customer Service at 800.477.4747. Similar scams also spoof caller ID and claim to be the IRS or other credible sources.
  • Ask for identification. Pull out your most recent DTE Energy bill and ask the caller to tell you the account number and the amount due.
  • If you have received a call of this nature and believe you are the victim of fraud, contact your local police department immediately.

At the door:

  • Ask for identification. All DTE Electric and DTE Gas employees and contractors carry photo identification badges and are required to display their badge if asked. If you are unsure about an employee's identification, call DTE at 800.477.4747.
  • Do not allow people into your home who:
    • Claim to offer a DTE refund. Our employees never hand deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers' homes.
    • Attempt to collect a bill payment. DTE does not collect or accept utility bill payments at customers' homes or businesses.
EnergyTips

Remember, energy usage will increase with more time at home

COVID-19 changed our lives overnight. Many are now working from home, off work, or have children attending school online, resulting in higher energy usage. We’re here to help by providing quick energy efficiency tips to control usage and costs.

Community demands of COVID-19

Our DTE Foundation is consistently at the forefront of philanthropic giving in Michigan. Due to the growing need for food and shelter, the Foundation is significantly increasing support to our community and faith-based partners. From large-scale organizations to community food banks and shelters, our Foundation is working across the state to help meet the growing demands brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Other ways DTE is supporting our communities during this health crisis:

Additional resources for you

To stay informed on Coronavirus updates, please visit:

CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html 
State of Michigan
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/ 

If you still have more questions, please direct message us on Facebook or Twitter or contact us at 800.477.4747.

During this time of uncertainty, stay well everyone.
Will my power be shut off?

In the face of this public health crisis, we are on high alert to help those customers whose lives are being disrupted. Shutoffs for non-payment will be suspended for low income customers (200% or less of Federal Poverty Level) through May 3, 2020. This timing could be extended depending on the impact that the virus has on our communities.

Customers enrolled in our Senior Winter Protection Program have had their end dates automatically extended through May 3rd without additional actions required on their part. Note, all seniors (62 and older) are included in the Winter Protection Program unless they chose another payment option.

Understanding this is an extraordinary time, our customer representatives are available to help with questions. Contact us at 800.477.4747.

The full DTE Energy Assistance Policies and Programs during COVID-19 Public Health Emergency are available for download by clicking below:

 

I am having difficulty paying my bill, what should I do?

DTE is encouraging customers facing financial hardship or medical conditions as a result of the pandemic to contact us at 800.477.4747. We have a variety of payment programs and we have flexibility to work with you.

DTE’s medical hold policy has been enhanced to include low income customers that are physically exposed, infected, or quarantined by the COVID-19 virus (including influenza) and deem them eligible for a 30-day medical hold on their account.

DTE Energy has a Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP) that offers a low, affordable payment plan for eligible income qualified families. This program allows customers to make affordable monthly payments based on income. The remaining portion of the bill is paid monthly with energy assistance funds. To be eligible for additional assistance you must have a State Emergency Relief (SER) funds approval. We work with local aid organizations like the United Way to support this funding.

How can I pay my DTE bill with cash and avoid interacting with a representative based on the six-feet social distancing rule?
If you live in the southeast Michigan area, you can pay through our kiosk network. Locations can be found here. For other areas, please contact us at 800.477.4747.
What if DTE employees get sick? Will there be power?
DTE’s crisis plans are designed to protect people and ensure energy operations and infrastructure continue to function. The company will take additional precautions to protect the public and employees when work is required at local businesses and residences..
I heard DTE is suspending some work, what does that mean?
DTE is only suspending non-critical work including main renewal, infrastructure construction and home energy consultations until further notice. The company will monitor the developing situation, adjusting daily and weekly, while it continues to staff core operations.

DTE employees will continue to provide power outage restoration, gas leak and downed power line response to ensure public safety and mitigate power interruptions. Overhead line work and tree trimming operations are other critical services, and vendors in these fields will determine how they may safely remain on the job to help ensure vital work continues.
View Energy Efficiency Tips

Energy Usage at Home
Many customers are being directed to work from home by their employers. When you are staying at home, you’re using more energy. Below are some tips to help keep costs down.

Change Your Air Filter
A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm, wasting energy. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.

Program Your Thermostat
Set it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower—the recommended setting for winter. Dress appropriately for the weather, and on cold nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and lower your thermostat another degree or two to save even more.

Water Heater Maintenance
Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every three months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Check your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's advice when performing this operation.

Put Your Computer to Sleep or Shut it Off
Make sure your computers automatically switch to "sleep mode" or manually turn off your monitor when not in use.

Dishwasher Tips

  • Running Full Loads - Load it up. Dishwashers use about the same energy and water regardless of the number of dishes inside, so run full loads whenever possible.
  • Scrape, Don't Rinse - Rinsing dishes can use up to 20 gallons of water before the dishes are even loaded. Save yourself the rinsing just scrape food off dishes.
  • Setting Air-Dry Option - Use the air-dry option. Avoid using the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features.
  • Setting Water Temperature - Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer recommendation on water temperature. It may have an internal heating element that allows you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature.