Paying your FirstEnergy bill through their website

FirstEnergy's online bill pay system is at firstenergycorp.com, where you can pay your electric bill using a bank account or debit card without creating an account. The payment goes through when ready, though it may take one to two business days to show on your bill. You will need your account number, which appears on your paper bill or in any email FirstEnergy has sent you.

The website accepts payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you pay after 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day, FirstEnergy typically processes it the next business day. Payments made on weekends or holidays process on the following business day.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay at firstenergycorp.com without logging in, using your account number and a bank account or debit card.
  • One-time payments process within one to two business days and do not require you to set up an account or automatic payments.
  • FirstEnergy charges no fee for bank account payments, but debit card payments typically carry a processing fee of around 2 to 3 percent.
  • If you want to pay the same amount every month automatically, you can set up autopay through the website or by phone.
  • Payments made after 8 p.m. Eastern Time or on weekends process on the next business day.

What information you need to pay online

Before you go to firstenergycorp.com, gather your account number. This is a nine-digit number printed on your bill, usually near the top. If you do not have a paper bill, check your email for a bill notification from FirstEnergy, or call their customer service line for your state (the number is on any bill you have received).

You will also need either a checking or savings account number and routing number, or a debit card number. FirstEnergy does not accept credit cards for bill payment. Have the account or card information ready before you start, so you can complete the payment in one session.

Paying with a bank account versus a debit card

FirstEnergy charges no fee when you pay from a bank account. The payment is treated as an electronic check and takes one to two business days to clear. This is the least expensive option if you have a bank account.

Debit card payments process faster — usually within 24 hours — but FirstEnergy or their payment processor charges a fee, typically 2 to 3 percent of the amount you pay. On a $150 bill, that fee would be roughly $3 to $4.50. If you need the payment to post quickly and can absorb the fee, debit card payment is an option. For routine monthly bills, bank account payment saves money.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

If you want FirstEnergy to withdraw the same amount from your bank account every month on a date you choose, you can set up autopay at firstenergycorp.com. Log in or create an account, go to the billing section, and select the autopay option. You will provide your bank account information and choose the day of the month you want the payment to come out.

Autopay has no fee and is useful if your bill is roughly the same each month. You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account. If your bill varies significantly with the season, you may prefer to pay manually each month so you can adjust the amount.

What to do if your payment does not go through

If you receive an error message during payment, the most common causes are a mistyped account number, an incorrect routing number, or insufficient funds in your bank account. Go back and double-check your account number against your bill. If you are unsure of your routing number, your bank can provide it, or you can search it on your bank's website.

If the payment was declined and you are certain the information is correct, contact FirstEnergy's customer service for your state. They can tell you whether the payment went through anyway, whether there is a hold on your account, or whether you need to try a different payment method. Do not assume the payment failed just because you saw an error — some errors occur after the payment has already been submitted.

Paying by phone or mail if you cannot use the website

If you do not want to pay online, FirstEnergy accepts payments by phone. Call the customer service number for your state (listed on your bill) and have your account number and payment method ready. Phone payments are processed the same way as online payments and carry the same fees — no charge for bank account, a fee for debit card.

You can also mail a check or money order to the address on your bill. Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take longer to reach FirstEnergy and to post to your account, so mail if you have time before your due date. If your bill is due soon, use the website or phone instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay FirstEnergy with a credit card?

No. FirstEnergy's website and phone system accept only bank accounts and debit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to contact a third-party payment processor, though this typically involves a higher fee than FirstEnergy's own system.

How do I know if my payment went through?

After you submit payment at firstenergycorp.com, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot. You can also log into your FirstEnergy account a day or two later to see whether the payment has posted. If you do not see it within two business days, call customer service.

What if I pay after my due date?

FirstEnergy may charge a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date shown on your bill. The fee varies by state and by FirstEnergy's subsidiary company. Pay as soon as you can if you are behind. If you are having trouble paying, contact FirstEnergy to ask about payment plans or hardship programs.

Can I schedule a payment for a future date?

Yes. When you pay at firstenergycorp.com, you can choose to schedule the payment for a specific date up to several days in the future. This is useful if you want to time the payment with your paycheck. The payment will process on the date you choose.

Do I need to create an account to pay my FirstEnergy bill?

No. You can make a one-time payment without logging in by entering your account number and payment information. Creating an account is optional and is useful only if you want to view your bill history, set up autopay, or schedule future payments.