El Paso Electric Company offers three main ways to pay your bill: online through their website, by phone, or by mail

El Paso Electric Company (EPE) is the utility that serves most of the El Paso area and parts of New Mexico. You can pay your bill without creating an account, though having one makes tracking your balance easier. The fastest route is their website at epesmart.com, where you can pay when ready with a bank account or debit card. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call their payment line or send a check through the mail — both work, but take longer.

Your bill arrives by mail or email depending on how you signed up for service. The due date is printed on the front, and late fees start after that date. If you are having trouble paying, EPE has a hardship program that may lower your bill or set up a payment plan, though you will need to contact them directly to explore that option.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay online at epesmart.com with a bank account or debit card without logging in, and the payment posts the same day.
  • Phone payments go through their automated system at a specific number for your area, and you will need your account number and payment method ready.
  • Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to reach EPE and post to your account, so send them early if your due date is near.
  • EPE charges a fee for paying by phone or online with a credit card, but not for bank account transfers or mailed checks.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact EPE before the date to discuss a payment plan or hardship program.

Paying online through EPE's website

Go to epesmart.com and select "Pay My Bill" from the homepage. You do not need to create an account or log in — you can pay as a guest. Enter your account number (found on your bill), the amount you want to pay, and your payment method. EPE accepts bank account transfers and debit cards. If you use a credit card, EPE charges a convenience fee, usually around 2.5 percent of the payment amount.

After you submit the payment, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment posts to your account the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on a business day. If you pay after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, it posts the next business day. You will receive an email confirmation if you provided your email address during payment.

If you want to set up recurring payments so your bill is paid automatically each month, you can do that through epesmart.com as well. Log in or create an account, go to "Billing & Payments," and select "Recurring Payments." You choose the amount and the date each month, and EPE will charge your bank account or card on that schedule.

Paying by phone

Call EPE's automated payment line at 1-800-351-1700. The system will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. Have your bank account number or debit card ready. The call takes about five minutes. EPE charges a fee for phone payments made with a credit card, but not for bank account transfers.

Payments made by phone before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call — keep it in case you need to verify the payment later.

If you have questions about your account or need help with the payment process, the automated system can transfer you to a customer service representative. Wait times vary depending on how busy the line is, but representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount due and include it with the payment stub from your bill. The stub has your account number printed on it, which helps EPE match the payment to your account. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this address changes depending on which part of EPE's service area you are in, so always check your bill for the correct mailing address.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. If your due date is within two weeks, do not rely on mailing a check — use online or phone payment instead. If you mail a payment and your account goes past due before it arrives, you may be charged a late fee even though you sent the payment on time. To avoid this, pay online or by phone if your due date is approaching.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you do not have a bank account or debit card and cannot pay by phone, contact EPE to ask about other payment options in your area.

Understanding EPE's payment fees

EPE does not charge a fee for paying online with a bank account transfer or for mailing a check. If you pay online or by phone with a credit card, EPE charges a convenience fee. The fee is calculated as a percentage of your payment and is added to the amount you pay — it is not included in the amount you enter. For example, if you pay $100 with a credit card, you might pay $102.50 or more depending on the current fee rate.

Debit cards usually have a lower fee than credit cards, though the exact amount depends on the card type. Bank account transfers have no fee and are the cheapest way to pay online. If you are paying a large bill, the fee difference between a bank account and a credit card can be significant, so use a bank account if you have one.

What to do if you cannot pay by the due date

Contact EPE before your due date if you know you cannot pay the full amount. Call 1-800-351-1700 and ask to speak with a customer service representative about a payment plan or hardship program. EPE may be able to set up a plan that lets you pay part of the bill now and the rest over the next few months. Some customers also may have access to for bill information programs that lower the amount they owe.

If your account goes past due, EPE will charge a late fee and may eventually disconnect your service if the bill is not paid. The exact timeline depends on EPE's policies and your account history. Contacting them early gives you more options and shows good faith, which can help if you need to negotiate a plan.

If you are struggling with utility costs, ask EPE about their Low Income Energy information Program (LIEAP) or other local programs that may help. EPE's customer service line can point you toward resources in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my EPE bill without creating an account?

Yes. Go to epesmart.com, select "Pay My Bill," and pay as a guest. You only need your account number and payment method. Creating an account is optional and is useful only if you want to check your balance or set up recurring payments.

What happens if I pay online but my payment does not show up?

Online payments usually post within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and you do not see the payment on your account, log into epesmart.com and check your payment history, or call 1-800-351-1700 with your confirmation number. A representative can look up the payment and tell you when it will post.

Is there a way to avoid the credit card fee?

Yes. Pay with a bank account transfer instead of a credit card — there is no fee for bank transfers. You can also mail a check or pay by phone with a bank account number. Both are free. Credit card fees explore only when you use a credit card online or by phone.

How long does a mailed check take to post?

Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. If your due date is sooner than that, do not mail a check — use online or phone payment instead to avoid a late fee.

What if I need to set up a payment plan because I cannot pay the full bill?

Call EPE at 1-800-351-1700 before your due date and ask to speak with a customer service representative. They can discuss payment plan options with you. Contacting them before your account goes past due gives you more flexibility and may help you avoid late fees.