Where to Pay Your Virginia Natural Gas Bill

Virginia's three major natural gas utilities each run their own bill payment systems. The utility that serves your address depends on where you live in the state. Dominion Energy covers most of northern Virginia, central Virginia, and the eastern shore. Appalachian Power Company serves southwestern Virginia. Columbia Gas of Virginia operates in parts of central and southwestern Virginia. Your bill shows which company supplies your gas.

Each utility offers the same payment methods: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at authorized payment locations. The fastest and most convenient route is usually online, where you can pay when ready without waiting for mail delivery or phone hold times. If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, phone and mail are equally reliable — mail takes longer to reach the utility, but the payment date counts from when they receive it, not when you mail it.

You do not need to create an online account to pay once. Many people pay without logging in by entering their account number and amount due on the utility's payment page. Creating an account takes about five minutes and lets you set up automatic payments, view your balance anytime, and see your payment history.

Key Takeaways

  • Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power Company, and Columbia Gas of Virginia each operate their own payment systems, and your bill shows which one serves your address.
  • Online payment through the utility's website is the fastest method and usually posts within one business day, while mail payment takes five to seven business days after the utility receives it.
  • You can pay without creating an account by entering your account number on the utility's payment page, or you can set up an account to manage automatic payments and view your balance anytime.
  • Phone payment and in-person payment at authorized locations are available if you cannot pay online, and neither method charges a fee through the utility itself.

Paying Online Through Dominion Energy

Go to dominionenergy.com and select "Pay My Bill" from the homepage. You will see a box asking for your account number, which appears on your bill. Enter the number and your zip code, then click "Continue." The system will show your current balance and due date.

If you have not created an account, you can pay as a guest. Enter the amount you want to pay (the full balance or a partial payment), choose your payment method (debit card, credit card, or bank account), and provide that information. Dominion charges no fee for bank account payments but does charge a fee for credit and debit card payments — the fee amount appears before you confirm. If you create an account first, you can save your payment method so you do not enter it each time.

Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually post the same day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. If your due date is within two business days, call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to confirm the payment will post in time.

Paying Online Through Appalachian Power Company

Visit appalachianpower.com and click "Pay My Bill" at the top of the page. Enter your account number and zip code. The system will display your balance and allow you to pay as a guest or create an account.

Select your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account. Appalachian Power charges a fee for card payments but not for bank account payments. The fee is shown before you confirm the transaction. Enter the amount you wish to pay and your payment information, then submit.

Online payments typically post within one business day. If you are paying close to your due date, use a bank account payment rather than a card to avoid the fee and may support the payment posts on time.

Paying Online Through Columbia Gas of Virginia

Go to columbiagasvirginia.com and select "Pay My Bill." Enter your account number and zip code to view your balance. You can pay as a guest or create an account to save your information for future payments.

Choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account. Columbia Gas charges a fee for card payments but not for bank account payments. The fee displays before you complete the payment. Enter the amount due and your payment details, then confirm.

Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day post the same day. Weekend and after-hours payments post the next business day. If your due date is fewer than two business days away, contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077 to confirm your payment will arrive in time.

Paying by Phone or Mail

All three utilities accept phone payments. Call the number on your bill to speak with a representative who will take your account number and payment information over the phone. Phone representatives can accept debit card, credit card, or bank account payments. Some utilities charge a fee for card payments but not for bank account payments — ask before you provide your information.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to your utility company. Write your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill. Do not mail cash. Payment by mail typically takes five to seven business days to reach the utility after you drop it in the mailbox, so mail your payment at least one week before your due date to avoid a late fee.

In-person payment is available at authorized payment locations in your area. Your bill or the utility's website lists these locations. Bring your account number and payment method (cash, check, debit card, or credit card). In-person payments usually post the same day or the next business day.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

All three utilities offer automatic payment, where money is withdrawn from your bank account on a set date each month. This prevents missed payments and late fees. To set up automatic payment, create an online account with your utility, go to the "Billing" or "Payment" section, and select "Automatic Payment" or "Autopay." Choose the date you want the payment to be withdrawn — most people choose a date shortly after they receive their paycheck.

You can change or cancel automatic payment anytime through your online account. If you cancel, you will need to pay manually again. If your balance changes month to month (which it does for most customers), the utility will withdraw the full amount due each month, so you do not need to adjust the payment yourself.

Automatic payment is the safest way to may support your bill is paid on time every month without having to remember to log in or mail a check. If you are unsure whether a charge is correct, you can log into your account anytime to see what amount will be withdrawn before it happens.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, the utility will charge a late fee. The fee amount varies by utility and is shown on your bill. After 30 days past due, the utility may send a disconnection notice warning that your gas service will be shut off if you do not pay within a set number of days (usually 10 to 14 days).

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact your utility when ready. Most utilities offer payment plans that let you pay your balance over several months instead of all at once. You can set up a payment plan by phone or through your online account. Setting up a plan before you miss a payment prevents late fees and disconnection.

If your service is disconnected, you will need to pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to have gas restored. Reconnection usually takes one to three business days. It is far less expensive to set up a payment plan or contact the utility before you fall behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my bill with a credit card without paying a fee?

No. All three Virginia utilities charge a fee for credit card payments. The fee is typically 2 to 3 percent of your bill amount and is shown before you confirm the payment. Bank account payments have no fee. If you want to use a credit card, you can pay through a third-party payment processor, but those often charge higher fees than the utility itself.

What 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 the payment does not appear in your account, log in and check your payment history to see if it was processed. If it shows as processed but your balance has not changed, contact your utility's customer service line. If the payment was never processed, you may need to pay again.

Can I set up automatic payment if I do not have a bank account?

No. Automatic payment requires a bank account because the utility withdraws money directly from your account. You can still pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person using other payment methods, but you will need to initiate each payment yourself.

How long does it take for a mailed check to be received?

Mail typically takes five to seven business days to reach the utility after you drop it in the mailbox. The payment date counts from when the utility receives it, not when you mail it. Mail your payment at least one week before your due date to be safe.

What should I do if I cannot afford my bill?

Contact your utility to ask about payment plans, which spread your balance over several months. You may also be able to receive help through Virginia's Low Income Home Energy information Program (LIHEAP) or local community action agencies. Your utility can provide information about these programs or you can call 211 to find information in your area.