What SmartHub is and how to use it to pay

SmartHub is a mobile app and website where you can view your electric bill and make payments directly to your utility company. Most California electric providers — including PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric — offer SmartHub as their official payment portal. You log in with your account number and password, see your current balance, and pay right there without calling or visiting an office.

The app works on phones and tablets; the website works on any computer. Both show you the same information: your bill amount, due date, usage history, and payment history. You can set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date, or pay manually whenever you choose.

SmartHub is free to use. Your utility company does not charge you to access it or to pay through it, though some payment methods (like paying by credit card instead of debit card or bank account) may carry a small processing fee — your utility will tell you the fee before you confirm the payment.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartHub is your utility company's official app and website for viewing bills and making payments at no cost.
  • You can pay by bank account, debit card, or credit card, though credit card payments often include a processing fee.
  • Setting up automatic payments through SmartHub means your bill gets paid on the due date every month without you having to remember.
  • SmartHub also shows your daily or hourly usage, which helps you spot when your bill is climbing and understand what is driving the cost.
  • If you forget your password or cannot log in, your utility company's customer service can reset it or help you create a new account.

How to set up a SmartHub account

Go to your utility company's website and look for a link to SmartHub — it is usually on the home page or in a "Pay My Bill" section. Click it and select "Create Account" or "Sign Up." You will need your account number (on your paper bill or in any email from your utility) and your service address.

Enter your email address and create a password. The system will ask you to verify your email by clicking a link sent to your inbox. Once you do, your account is active and you can log in immediately. You do not need to wait for anything in the mail.

The first time you log in, SmartHub will show you your current bill and any past-due balance. If you have never paid online before, you will need to add a payment method — your bank account, debit card, or credit card — before you can make a payment.

Making a one-time payment through SmartHub

Log in to SmartHub and look for a "Pay Now" or "Make a Payment" button. Click it and enter the amount you want to pay. SmartHub will show you the due date and let you choose whether to pay today or on a future date. If you choose a future date, the payment will process on that day automatically.

Select your payment method — bank account, debit card, or credit card. If this is your first time paying with that method, you may need to enter the full card or account number. SmartHub will show you any processing fee before you confirm. Review the amount and due date one more time, then click "Confirm" or "Submit Payment."

You will see a confirmation number on the screen and receive a confirmation email. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to check on the payment later. The payment usually processes within one business day if you pay by bank account or debit card, and within two to three business days if you pay by credit card.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments mean SmartHub charges your bank account or card on the same day every month — usually your bill's due date — without you having to log in and pay manually. This is the easiest way to make sure you never miss a payment and never get a late fee.

In SmartHub, look for "Autopay," "Automatic Payments," or "Recurring Payments" in the settings or account menu. Click it and choose the payment method you want to use. Then select the day of the month you want the payment to happen — most people choose their bill's due date. SmartHub will confirm the setup and send you an email.

You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging back into SmartHub and updating your autopay settings. If you cancel, you will need to pay manually from that point forward. If you want to pause autopay for one month, most utilities let you skip a single payment without canceling the whole setup.

Troubleshooting login and payment problems

If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the SmartHub login page. Enter your email address and SmartHub will send you a link to reset it. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes.

If you cannot find your account number, check your paper bill — it is usually at the top or in a box on the front. If you have lost all your bills, call your utility company's customer service line and they will give you the number over the phone. You will need to verify your service address and possibly answer a security question.

If a payment fails or is rejected, SmartHub will show an error message explaining why — usually because the card expired, the account has insufficient funds, or the card issuer blocked the transaction. Fix the problem (update your card, add funds to your account, or contact your bank) and try again. If the payment was supposed to be automatic and it failed, SmartHub will try again, but do not wait — log in and make a manual payment to avoid a late fee.

Understanding your bill and usage in SmartHub

When you log into SmartHub, you can see not just what you owe, but also how much electricity you used and when you used it. Most utilities show your usage broken down by day or by hour, depending on your meter type. This detail helps you understand what is driving your bill up or down month to month.

Look for a "Usage" or "Energy Usage" tab in SmartHub. You will see a graph showing your consumption over the past 12 months. If one month stands out as much higher, you can click on it to see the daily breakdown. A spike often points to a specific week when you ran your air conditioning more, used your heater longer, or had an appliance running constantly.

Some utilities also show you how your usage compares to similar homes in your area, or how much you used on the same date last year. This context helps you spot whether a high bill is normal for the season or genuinely unusual.

Payment methods and fees

SmartHub accepts three main payment methods: bank account (checking or savings), debit card, and credit card. Paying by bank account or debit card is free. Paying by credit card usually costs a processing fee — the amount varies by utility but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your bill. Your utility will show you the exact fee before you confirm the payment.

If you are trying to keep costs down, pay by bank account or debit card. If you are paying by credit card to earn rewards points, do the math first: a 3 percent fee on a $150 bill is $4.50, which may be more than the points are worth.

SmartHub does not accept cash, checks, or money orders. If you prefer those methods, you will need to pay through your utility company's other channels — by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SmartHub safe to use with my bank account or credit card?

Yes. SmartHub is your utility company's official payment system and uses encryption to protect your financial information. Your bank account and card details are not stored in a way that lets anyone else access them. If you are still uncomfortable, you can use a debit card instead of a credit card, or pay by bank account, which many people find more secure.

Can I pay someone else's bill through SmartHub?

No. SmartHub only lets you pay the account you are logged into. If you want to pay a family member's or roommate's bill, they need to log into their own account and pay it, or they can give you permission to manage their account (some utilities call this "authorized user" access). Ask your utility company's customer service how to set that up.

What happens if I pay late through SmartHub?

If you schedule a payment for after your due date, it will still process on the date you chose, but your account will show as late until the payment clears. Late fees are usually charged by your utility company, not by SmartHub. To avoid a late fee, make sure your payment is scheduled to arrive by the due date shown on your bill.

Can I see my bill history in SmartHub?

Yes. SmartHub shows your past 12 to 24 months of bills, depending on your utility. You can click on any past bill to see the charges, usage, and payment status. You can also download or print past bills as PDF files, which is useful if you need them for a dispute or for tax purposes.

What if my utility company does not offer SmartHub?

Most large California utilities use SmartHub, but some smaller municipal utilities have their own payment portals. Check your utility company's website for a "Pay My Bill" or "Online Payments" link. If they do not offer online payment, you can pay by phone or mail — your bill will show those options.