What Avista Bill Pay Is and How to Use It
Avista Bill Pay is the online and mobile payment system run by Avista Utilities, the energy company that serves parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. If you have an Avista electric or natural gas account, you can use Bill Pay to view your bill, schedule payments, and set up automatic recurring payments without calling customer service or mailing a check.
You access Bill Pay through your Avista online account or the Avista mobile app. Once you log in with your account number and password, you can see your current balance, payment history, and usage details. The system lets you pay when ready, schedule a payment for a future date, or arrange for the same amount to be withdrawn on the same day each month.
Avista does not charge a fee to use Bill Pay, whether you pay once or set up recurring payments. The payment goes directly to your Avista account and typically posts within one to two business days.
Key Takeaways
- Avista Bill Pay is free and accessible through your online account or mobile app using your account number and password.
- You can make a one-time payment when ready, schedule it for a future date, or set up automatic monthly payments.
- Payments typically post within one to two business days after you submit them.
- If you do not have an online account yet, you must create one using your account number, service address, and ZIP code.
- Bill Pay works for both electric and natural gas accounts, and you can manage multiple accounts from one login if you have more than one Avista service address.
Setting Up Your Avista Online Account
Before you can use Bill Pay, you need an Avista online account. Go to the Avista website and select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will need your Avista account number (found on your bill), your service address, and your ZIP code. Avista will send a verification code to the email address you provide, and you must enter that code to complete registration.
Once your account is created, you can log in anytime to access Bill Pay. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. Avista will send a reset link to your registered email address.
If you have more than one Avista account (for example, a home and a rental property), you can add all of them to your online login. After you create your main account, look for an option to "Add Account" or "Link Account" and follow the same verification process for each additional service address.
Making a One-Time Payment
To pay your bill once without setting up recurring payments, log into your Avista account and select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." The system will show your current balance and let you choose how much to pay. You can pay the full amount due, the minimum payment, or any amount in between.
Next, choose when the payment should be processed. You can pay when ready (same day or next business day, depending on the time you submit), or you can select a future date up to several weeks out. This is useful if you want to time the payment with your paycheck or cash flow.
After you confirm the amount and date, the payment is submitted. Avista will send a confirmation email to the address on file. Keep this confirmation for your records. The payment will post to your account within one to two business days, and your next bill will reflect the payment.
Setting Up Automatic Monthly Payments
Automatic payments remove the need to log in and pay manually each month. In your Bill Pay section, look for "Autopay," "Recurring Payment," or "Automatic Payment" options. Select this feature and choose the amount you want to pay each month.
You can set the payment to be the full amount due on your bill, a fixed dollar amount, or the minimum payment. You also choose the day of the month when the payment should be withdrawn. Many customers choose the day after they receive their paycheck or the day their bill is due.
Once automatic payments are active, Avista will withdraw the amount on your chosen date each month. You will receive a confirmation email after each payment. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging into your account and adjusting the settings. There is no penalty for stopping automatic payments.
Payment Methods and Processing Times
Avista Bill Pay draws directly from a bank account you link to your online profile. When you set up Bill Pay for the first time, you will enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Avista uses this information to process payments electronically.
Payments submitted before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day typically post within one business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day. If you schedule a payment for a future date, it will post on that date or the next business day if the date falls on a weekend or holiday.
Do not rely on Bill Pay if your payment is due the same day you submit it. If your bill is due on a specific date and you have not paid yet, submit your payment at least one business day before the due date to avoid a late fee. Avista's late payment policy is included in your service agreement and on your bill.
Troubleshooting Common Bill Pay Issues
If you cannot log into your account, first check that you are using the correct account number (not your service address or meter number). If you still cannot log in, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your credentials. If the reset email does not arrive, check your spam folder or contact Avista customer service.
If a payment you submitted does not appear on your bill within two business days, log back into your account and check the payment history. The history shows the status of every payment you have submitted — whether it is pending, processed, or failed. If a payment shows as failed, the most common reason is that the bank account information was entered incorrectly or the account does not have sufficient funds. You can resubmit the payment with corrected information.
If you see a charge on your bank statement but the payment has not posted to your Avista account after three business days, contact Avista customer service with your confirmation number. Avista can trace the payment and confirm whether it is in process or if there was an error.
Security and Privacy When Using Bill Pay
Avista uses encryption to protect your login credentials and bank account information. Your password should be unique and not shared with anyone. Change your password periodically, especially if you use the same password on other websites.
When you log into your account, do so only through the official Avista website or the official Avista mobile app. Do not click links in emails claiming to be from Avista unless you initiated the contact yourself. Scammers sometimes send fake emails that look like they are from Avista and ask you to "verify" your account or click a link to pay your bill.
If you receive an email claiming to be from Avista and you are unsure whether it is real, go directly to Avista's website by typing the URL yourself (do not click a link in the email) and log into your account. Legitimate payment reminders and confirmations will also appear in your online account history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Avista bill by phone or mail if I do not want to use Bill Pay?
Yes. You can call Avista customer service to make a payment over the phone, mail a check to the address on your bill, or pay in person at an Avista office or authorized payment location. Bill Pay is optional and free, but not required.
What happens if I set up automatic payments and then my bank account changes?
You must update your bank account information in your Bill Pay settings before your next automatic payment is scheduled. Log into your account, find the automatic payment settings, and edit the bank account details. If you do not update it before the payment date, the payment will fail and you may be charged a late fee.
Can I use Bill Pay to pay someone else's Avista bill?
No. Bill Pay only works for accounts linked to your online login. If you want to pay someone else's bill, you can call Avista customer service and provide their account number, or the account holder can set up a third-party authorization that allows you to manage their account online.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay through Bill Pay each month?
Avista does not publish a specific monthly limit for Bill Pay payments. If you are trying to pay an unusually large amount, contact Avista customer service to confirm the payment can be processed, or break the payment into two separate transactions.
What if my payment is scheduled but I need to cancel it before it posts?
Log into your account and find the pending payment in your payment history. If the payment has not yet posted (usually within one to two business days), you can cancel it. Once a payment has posted to your account, you cannot cancel it, but you can contact Avista to request a credit or refund if the payment was made in error.