Where to Pay Your RG&E Bill

Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) lets you pay through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at payment centers. The fastest route is their online portal at rge.com, where you can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly payments. If you prefer not to use the internet, you can call their payment line at 1-800-743-2500 during business hours, mail a check to the address on your bill, or visit an authorized payment location in the Rochester area.

Each method takes a different amount of time to post to your account. Online payments typically show within one business day. Phone payments process the same way. Mailed checks take seven to ten business days from the date you mail them, so plan ahead if your due date is coming up soon. In-person payments at RG&E offices or authorized retailers usually post the next business day.

Key Takeaways

  • RG&E's website at rge.com is the fastest way to pay and shows your payment within one business day.
  • You can set up automatic monthly payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month without you having to act.
  • Mailed checks take seven to ten business days to reach RG&E, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
  • If you call to pay by phone, have your account number and a debit or credit card ready, and the payment posts the next business day.
  • RG&E charges no fee for online or phone payments made with a bank account, but credit card payments incur a processing fee.

Setting Up Online Bill Pay on the RG&E Website

Go to rge.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Billing" section on the homepage. You will need to log in with your account number and password, or create an online account if you do not have one yet. If you are a new user, click "Register" and enter your account number (found on your bill), your service address, and your email address. RG&E will send you a confirmation email with a link to complete your registration.

Once you are logged in, select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay—you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a different amount if you choose. Select your payment method: bank account (no fee) or credit/debit card (processing fee applies). Review the payment details and the date it will post, then confirm. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

If you want to avoid logging in each month, set up automatic payments instead. In your account settings, look for "Autopay" or "Recurring Payments" and choose the day of the month you want the payment to come out. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through the same menu.

Paying by Phone or Mail

To pay by phone, call RG&E's automated payment line at 1-800-743-2500. Have your account number and a bank account or debit card ready. The system will ask you to enter your account number, confirm your service address, and state the amount you want to pay. You will hear a confirmation number before the call ends. Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time typically post the next business day.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to Rochester Gas and Electric. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill—do not mail it to the corporate office, as it will be slower to process. Send your payment at least two weeks before the due date to account for mail delivery time. Keep a copy of the check or the payment stub from your bill for your records.

Understanding Payment Timing and Due Dates

Your bill shows a due date, which is usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued. If you pay online or by phone before midnight on the due date, your payment counts as on time. If you mail a check, RG&E counts the postmark date, not the date they receive it—so a check postmarked on the due date is considered on time even if it arrives later.

If you miss the due date, RG&E may charge a late fee and report the late payment to your credit history. If you know you will be late, call customer service at 1-800-743-2500 to discuss your options. Some customers may be able to set up a payment arrangement or defer part of the payment to the next billing cycle.

What Happens If You Overpay or Underpay

If you pay more than your current bill balance, RG&E will credit the extra amount to your account. This credit applies to your next month's bill automatically. You can also request a refund of the credit balance by calling customer service, though this may take several weeks to process.

If you pay less than the full amount due, the remaining balance carries forward to your next bill and may accrue a late fee if it is not paid by the new due date. Partial payments are useful if you are in a tight month but can pay more next time—just be aware that the unpaid portion will be due on the next billing cycle.

Payment Methods and Fees

RG&E charges no fee when you pay online or by phone using a bank account (checking or savings). If you use a credit card or debit card online or by phone, a third-party processor charges a fee, usually between 2 and 3 percent of the payment amount. You will see the fee amount before you confirm the payment, so you can decide whether to proceed or use a different method.

In-person payments at RG&E offices or authorized retailers (such as certain grocery stores or utility payment centers) typically have no fee. Mail payments have no fee, but they take longer. Automatic payments from a bank account have no fee and are the cheapest option if you want to set it and forget it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up the next day?

Online payments usually post within one business day, but weekends and holidays can delay this. If you paid on a Friday, it may not show until Monday. If more than two business days have passed, log back into your account to confirm the payment went through, or call customer service at 1-800-743-2500 with your confirmation number.

Can I set up automatic payments and still pay extra some months?

Yes. Automatic payments cover your regular monthly bill, but you can make additional one-time payments anytime through the website or by phone. This is useful if you want a predictable automatic payment but also want to pay down your balance faster in months when you have extra money.

Is there a way to avoid the credit card processing fee?

Yes. Pay from a bank account instead of a credit card—there is no fee for bank account payments online or by phone. You can also pay by mail or in person at an RG&E office or authorized retailer. The credit card fee only applies when you use a credit or debit card as your payment method.

What if my check gets lost in the mail?

If your check does not post within ten business days of the postmark date, call customer service with the check number and amount. They can trace it or help you stop payment and resend. Keep a copy of the check or the payment stub for your records so you have proof of when you sent it.

Can I pay someone else's RG&E bill if I have their account number?

Yes, you can pay online or by phone if you have the account number and the amount due. You do not need to be the account holder. However, if you want to set up automatic payments for someone else's account, you will typically need their authorization or account access. Call customer service if you are unsure about the rules for a specific situation.