PECO bill pay basics

PECO is the electric and natural gas utility serving southeastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and surrounding counties. You can pay your PECO bill through their website, by phone, through automatic bank transfers, or by mail — and the method you choose affects when the payment posts and what information you need on hand.

PECO does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The company processes payments seven days a week, though the speed depends on which method you use and what time you submit it. If you pay online or by phone before 5 p.m. on a business day, the payment typically posts within one business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends may not process until the next business day.

Before you pay, have your PECO account number ready — it appears on your bill in the upper right corner and looks like a string of numbers and letters. You will also need either a bank account for electronic payments or a debit or credit card for online and phone payments.

Key Takeaways

  • PECO offers four main payment methods — online through their website, by phone at 1-800-494-8000, automatic bank draft, or by mail — and none of them charge a fee.
  • Online and phone payments typically post within one business day if submitted before 5 p.m. on a weekday, but weekend and after-hours payments may take longer.
  • Automatic bank draft (also called autopay) withdraws money directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose each month.
  • You will need your PECO account number, which appears on your bill, to set up any payment method.
  • If you cannot pay your full bill, PECO offers budget billing and hardship programs that may lower your monthly payment or pause collection action.

Paying online through the PECO website

Go to peco.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually near the top of the page. You will be asked to log in with your PECO online account username and password. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one by entering your account number and either your zip code or the phone number on file.

Once logged in, you will see your current bill amount and due date. You can pay the full amount or a partial payment. Choose your payment method — debit card, credit card, or bank account — and enter the card or account details. Review the amount and due date one more time before confirming. You will receive a confirmation number when ready; save or print this for your records.

PECO also offers a mobile app (available on iOS and Android) that works the same way as the website. The app lets you check your balance, view your usage, and pay your bill from your phone.

Paying by phone

Call PECO's automated payment line at 1-800-494-8000. You do not need to speak to a representative — the system is automated and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Have your account number and a debit or credit card ready.

The system will ask you to enter your account number using your phone keypad, then confirm your name and address. You will then be prompted to enter the amount you want to pay and your card information. The system will read back the details for you to confirm before processing. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can call PECO's customer service line at 1-800-494-8000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time). A representative can process your payment over the phone and answer questions about your account.

Setting up automatic payments from your bank account

Automatic bank draft, sometimes called autopay or automatic bill payment, withdraws money directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose each month. This method eliminates the need to remember to pay and ensures your bill is paid on time. PECO does not charge a fee for this service.

To set up automatic payments, log into your PECO online account, go to the "Billing" or "Payment" section, and look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment." You will enter your bank account number and routing number (both appear on the bottom left of your checks). You choose the date each month when the payment should be withdrawn — typically between the 1st and the 28th. PECO will withdraw the full bill amount on that date each month.

You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account. If you need to stop a payment before it processes, contact PECO customer service as soon as possible; they may be able to halt it if you call before the withdrawal date.

Paying by mail

If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you can mail your payment to the address printed on your bill. Write your account number on the check or money order. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account, so send your payment well before your due date to avoid a late payment.

PECO's mailing address is printed on every bill. Do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying by check, make it payable to PECO Energy Company.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you are struggling to pay your PECO bill, the company offers several options before your service is shut off. Budget billing spreads your annual energy costs evenly across 12 months, which can lower your monthly payment if you use more energy in winter or summer. You can ask about budget billing through your online account or by calling customer service.

PECO also has a hardship program for customers facing financial difficulty. The program may lower your monthly payment, set up a payment plan, or pause collection action while you work toward catching up on arrears. To learn about hardship options, call PECO at 1-800-494-8000 and ask to speak with a representative about your situation. Have information about your household income and current expenses ready.

If you receive LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy information Program) funding or other energy information, PECO can explore that payment directly to your account. Contact your local community action agency or your county's social services office to learn whether you may be may be able to access for energy information in your area.

Understanding payment timing and posting

The date you pay and the method you use both affect when your payment shows up on your account. Online and phone payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day usually post within one business day. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends may not process until the next business day.

Automatic bank drafts post on the date you selected, typically within one business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days from the time PECO receives them. If your due date is approaching and you have not yet paid, use online or phone payment to may support your payment posts before the important date and you avoid a late fee.

PECO considers a payment late if it is not received by 5 p.m. on your due date. If your payment is late, PECO may charge a late fee and may eventually shut off your service. If you know you will be late, call customer service to explain your situation — they may be able to work with you on timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PECO charge a fee to pay my bill online or by phone?

No. PECO does not charge a fee for online payments, phone payments, automatic bank drafts, or mail payments. All payment methods are free.

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

Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. on a business day typically post within one business day. If you submitted your payment after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, it may not process until the next business day. Check your account the next day; if the payment still has not posted, call PECO customer service at 1-800-494-8000 with your confirmation number.

Can I set up automatic payments if I do not have a checking account?

Automatic bank draft requires a checking or savings account. If you do not have one, you can pay online or by phone using a debit or credit card, or pay by mail with a check or money order.

What happens if I miss my due date?

PECO may charge a late fee if your payment is not received by 5 p.m. on your due date. If you are late, contact PECO right away to discuss your options. The company may offer a payment plan or hardship program to help you catch up.

Can I change the date my automatic payment is withdrawn each month?

Yes. Log into your PECO online account, go to the autopay section, and select a new withdrawal date between the 1st and 28th of the month. You can change this date at any time.