What PECO Pay is and how to use it

PECO Pay is PECO Energy's online and phone payment system that lets you pay your electric or gas bill without mailing a check. You can set up a one-time payment whenever you want, or arrange automatic payments that happen on the same day each month. The system connects directly to your bank account or allows you to pay by debit card, and PECO processes most payments the same business day you submit them.

PECO serves customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. If you receive a PECO bill, you already have a PECO account number — it appears on your paper bill or in any email from PECO — and that's all you need to get your free guide.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pay PECO bills online through their website, by phone at 1-800-494-4000, or through their mobile app without creating a new account.
  • One-time payments process the same business day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day, or the next business day if submitted after hours or on weekends.
  • Automatic payments deduct money on a date you choose each month, and you can change or cancel them anytime without penalty.
  • PECO does not charge a fee for paying by bank account transfer, but debit card payments carry a small fee that PECO discloses before you confirm payment.

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'll enter your account number (found on your bill) and your ZIP code. PECO will pull up your account and show your current balance and due date.

From there, choose whether you want to pay now or set up automatic payments. For a one-time payment, enter the amount you want to pay and select your payment method — either a bank account (which PECO calls "eCheck") or a debit card. If you use a bank account, you'll provide your routing number and account number, the same information you'd write on a check. If you use a debit card, you'll enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Review the payment details, confirm, and PECO will show you a confirmation number.

Keep that confirmation number. It's your proof that the payment went through, and you may need it if you ever have a question about whether PECO received the money.

Paying by phone

Call PECO's automated payment line at 1-800-494-4000. You'll need your account number and either a bank account or debit card ready. The system will walk you through the same steps as the website: confirm your account, enter the payment amount, choose your payment method, and review the details before submitting.

If you prefer to speak with a person, you can ask to be transferred to a representative, though this may add time to your call. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can pay at any time that's convenient for you.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments take the guesswork out of remembering when your bill is due. You choose a day each month — for example, the 15th — and PECO automatically deducts your bill amount from your bank account or debit card on that date. You can set this up through the website or by phone using the same process as a one-time payment, but you'll select "automatic" or "recurring" instead of "one-time."

You control the amount: PECO can deduct your full bill each month, or you can set a fixed amount if you prefer to pay the same thing every month and settle the difference later. You can change the payment date, the amount, or cancel automatic payments anytime without calling PECO or paying a fee — just log into your account online or call the payment line and update your preferences.

How long payments take to show up

If you submit a one-time payment before 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays), PECO processes it that same day. Your bank may take an additional day or two to actually move the money, but PECO records the payment as received on the day you submitted it, so you won't be considered late.

If you submit a payment after 5 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, PECO processes it the next business day. Automatic payments work the same way: if your chosen date falls on a weekend or holiday, PECO processes the payment on the next business day.

Fees and payment method costs

PECO does not charge a fee when you pay by bank account transfer (eCheck). If you choose to pay by debit card, PECO charges a fee — the exact amount depends on your payment amount and is shown to you before you confirm the payment. You can see the fee and decide whether to proceed or switch to a bank account payment instead.

Some banks charge their own fees for electronic bill payments, though most do not. If you're unsure whether your bank charges a fee, contact your bank directly or check your account agreement.

What to do if a payment doesn't go through

If PECO rejects your payment — usually because of incorrect bank account information or insufficient funds — you'll receive a notice. Check your confirmation number and the payment details you entered. If the account number or routing number was wrong, you can submit the payment again with the correct information.

If the payment failed because of insufficient funds, wait until you have enough money in your account, then resubmit. Do not ignore a rejected payment notice; PECO will still expect the bill to be paid by the due date. If you're having trouble making the payment, contact PECO directly at 1-800-494-4000 to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay PECO with a credit card?

PECO's standard payment system accepts bank accounts and debit cards only, not credit cards. If you want to pay with a credit card, you would need to use a third-party bill payment service, though this may carry additional fees from that service.

What if I pay too much by accident?

If you overpay, PECO will credit the extra amount to your account and explore it to future bills. You can also request a refund by contacting PECO, though processing a refund may take several weeks. Check your next bill to see the credit applied.

Can I set up automatic payments for only part of my bill?

Yes. When you set up automatic payments, you can choose a fixed amount instead of the full bill amount. PECO will deduct that amount each month, and you can pay the remaining balance separately whenever you want.

Is PECO Pay find?

PECO uses encryption to protect your bank account and debit card information, the same security standard used by banks and other utilities. Your information is not stored on PECO's website after the payment is processed — only your confirmation number and payment history are saved to your account.

What happens if I miss a payment important date?

If your bill is not paid by the due date, PECO may charge a late fee and could eventually disconnect your service. If you know you'll be late, contact PECO before the due date to discuss a payment plan or other options that may be available to you.