Where to pay your Naperville utility bill

Naperville is served by two separate utilities: Nicor Gas for natural gas and ComEd for electricity. You will receive separate bills from each company, and you pay them separately. Both utilities offer multiple payment methods, so you can choose what works best for your schedule and preferences.

ComEd bills can be paid online through their website (ComEd.com), by phone at 1-800-334-7661, by mail to the address on your bill, or through automatic bank draft. Nicor Gas accepts payments online at NicorGas.com, by phone at 1-888-642-6748, by mail, or through automatic payment. Both companies also accept payments at authorized payment centers in the Naperville area — your bill will list local locations if you prefer to pay in person.

If you set up automatic payment, your bill amount will be deducted from your bank account on a set date each month. This eliminates the risk of late payment and takes the task off your to-do list, though you should still review your bill each month to catch any errors or unusual charges.

Key Takeaways

  • ComEd handles your electricity bill and Nicor Gas handles your natural gas bill in Naperville — they are separate companies and separate bills.
  • Both utilities offer online payment, phone payment, mail payment, and automatic bank draft, so you can choose the method that fits your routine.
  • Late fees apply if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, typically 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued.
  • Your bill shows your usage in kilowatt-hours (electricity) or therms (gas), your rate per unit, and any fixed charges that do not change month to month.
  • If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact your utility immediately to discuss a payment plan before service is disconnected.

Reading your ComEd electricity bill

Your ComEd bill is divided into sections that show different types of charges. At the top, you will see your account number, service address, and the billing period (the dates the meter was read). The bill then breaks down your charges into delivery (the cost to maintain the poles, wires, and infrastructure), supply (the cost of the electricity itself), and taxes.

The usage section shows your kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed during the billing period. ComEd's rates vary by time of year and by customer class (residential rates differ from small business rates). Your bill will show the rate applied to your usage. If you used significantly more or less than usual, check for changes in your household — a new appliance, a family member staying home more often, or a heating or cooling system running longer than normal.

ComEd also lists any fixed charges that appear on every bill, such as a customer charge or meter charge. These do not change based on your usage. If you see a charge you do not recognize, call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 to ask what it covers before you pay.

Reading your Nicor Gas bill

Nicor Gas bills follow a similar structure: account information at the top, then a breakdown of charges. Your usage is measured in therms, which is a standard unit of natural gas. One therm equals roughly 100 cubic feet of gas. Like ComEd, Nicor shows a delivery charge (the cost to pipe gas to your home), a supply charge (the cost of the gas itself), and taxes.

Seasonal variation is normal for gas bills. Winter months will be much higher than summer months because heating accounts for the largest share of residential gas use. If your winter bill is unexpectedly high, check whether your furnace is running efficiently, whether your thermostat is set higher than usual, or whether you have a gas water heater or stove that is being used more than normal.

Nicor also applies a customer charge each month. If you see a line item labeled "adjustment" or "reconciliation," it usually means Nicor is correcting a previous billing error or adjusting for a meter reading that was estimated rather than actual. These adjustments can be positive (a credit to your account) or negative (an additional charge). If the adjustment is large, contact Nicor at 1-888-642-6748 to understand what it covers.

What to do if you cannot pay on time

If you know you cannot pay your bill by the due date, call your utility before the due date passes. Both ComEd and Nicor Gas offer payment plans that spread your balance over several months, which keeps your service from being disconnected while you catch up. The sooner you contact them, the more options you typically have.

ComEd's payment plan process begins with a phone call to 1-800-334-7661. Nicor Gas can be reached at 1-888-642-6748. Have your account number and a rough idea of what you can pay each month ready when you call. The utility will propose a plan based on your account balance and your payment history. Once you agree, you will receive a written confirmation of the plan terms.

If you are struggling with energy costs due to income loss or hardship, Illinois offers assistance programs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time bill payment help to households that meet income limits. You can learn about LIHEAP through your local community action agency or by contacting the Illinois Department of Human Services. These programs are separate from the utility companies and have their own application process.

Avoiding common billing mistakes

One frequent source of confusion is the difference between your bill date and your due date. The bill date is when the utility issues the bill; the due date is when payment must be received. Late fees apply if payment arrives after the due date, even if you mailed it on time. If you pay by mail, allow at least five business days for the payment to reach the utility.

Another mistake is assuming that a lower bill means lower usage. Sometimes a lower bill reflects a rate change, a billing period that was shorter than usual, or a credit from a previous overpayment. Always check the usage section of your bill, not just the total amount due, to understand what actually changed.

If you receive an estimated bill (the bill will say "estimated" near the meter reading), your next bill may be higher or lower depending on whether the estimate was high or low. Estimated bills happen when the meter reader cannot access your meter. You can avoid this by ensuring your meter is accessible and by providing a self-read if the utility asks. Both ComEd and Nicor allow you to submit your own meter reading through their websites.

Setting up automatic payment and paperless billing

Automatic payment removes the risk of late fees and the need to remember a due date each month. Both ComEd and Nicor Gas allow you to set up automatic bank draft through their websites. You will need your bank account number and routing number. The payment will be deducted on a date you choose, typically a few days before the due date.

Paperless billing reduces clutter and gets your bill to you faster. You can enroll in paperless billing through either utility's website. You will receive an email notification when your bill is ready to view, and you can log in to your account to see it anytime. This also makes it easier to track your usage history and compare bills from month to month.

Even with automatic payment, review your bill online each month. Errors do happen — a meter misread, a rate change that was applied incorrectly, or a charge that should not be there. Catching these early and reporting them to the utility can save you money and prevent disputes later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss a payment deadline?

A late fee will be added to your next bill, typically 1.5% of the unpaid balance. If you miss multiple payments, the utility may issue a disconnection notice. You usually have 10 to 14 days after receiving the notice to pay or contact the utility to arrange a payment plan. If you do not respond, service will be shut off.

Can I dispute a charge on my bill?

Yes. Contact the utility in writing or by phone within 30 days of receiving the bill. Explain which charge you dispute and why. The utility will investigate and send you a written response. While the dispute is being reviewed, you must still pay the undisputed portion of your bill to avoid late fees.

Why is my bill so much higher this month?

Check the billing period dates — if the period is longer than usual, usage will be higher. For gas bills, winter months are always higher due to heating. For electricity, summer air conditioning use can spike bills. Compare your current usage (in kWh or therms) to the same month last year. If usage is truly higher, look for new appliances, a thermostat set higher, or a heating or cooling system running longer than normal.

How do I read my meter myself?

For ComEd (electricity), the meter shows kilowatt-hours. Read the numbers left to right, ignoring any red digits. For Nicor Gas, the meter shows therms. Write down the numbers as they appear. Both utilities accept self-reads through their websites or by phone, which helps avoid estimated bills.

What if I think I am being overcharged?

Request a meter test from the utility. If the meter is found to be inaccurate, the utility will adjust your bill back to the date the inaccuracy began. There is usually no charge for a meter test. You can also contact the Illinois Commerce Commission if you believe the utility is not responding fairly to your dispute.