Paying your Pennyrile Electric bill online, by phone, or by mail
Pennyrile Electric Cooperative Corporation serves parts of western Kentucky, and you can pay your bill through several methods without leaving your home. The fastest route is their online payment portal at pennyrile.com, where you can pay immediately with a bank account or debit card. If you prefer the phone, call their customer service line at 1-800-595-1858 during business hours. You can also mail a check to the address printed on your bill, though this takes longer and leaves a gap between when you send it and when they receive it.
Pennyrile does not charge a fee for online payments made through their website or for phone payments made directly to the cooperative. Third-party payment processors sometimes add their own fees, so check before you confirm. If you pay by mail, write your account number on the check and allow at least 10 business days for the payment to reach them and post to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online at pennyrile.com with a bank account or debit card for immediate processing with no fee.
- Call 1-800-595-1858 to pay by phone during business hours if you do not want to use the website.
- Mail payments should include your account number and allow at least 10 business days to clear.
- Set up autopay through the Pennyrile website to have your bill paid automatically each month on a date you choose.
- If your payment is late, contact Pennyrile immediately to discuss your options before service is disconnected.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed bills
Autopay removes the risk of forgetting a payment deadline. Log into your account on pennyrile.com, go to the billing section, and select the autopay option. You will need to provide your bank account information or debit card details. Pennyrile will deduct the amount due on the same day each month, or you can choose to pay only the minimum and adjust the amount manually if your bill varies.
You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your online account. If you cancel, make sure you have another payment method ready so your bill does not go unpaid. Autopay does not lock you into a contract — you control it entirely.
What to do if you cannot pay your bill on time
If you know your payment will be late, call Pennyrile at 1-800-595-1858 as soon as possible. Many cooperatives, including Pennyrile, have programs for members facing hardship. Depending on your situation, you may be able to arrange a payment plan, request a brief extension, or learn about bill assistance programs run by the state or local nonprofits.
Do not wait until your service is disconnected to reach out. Pennyrile typically sends a disconnect notice before they cut service, but the sooner you contact them, the more options you have. If you have already received a disconnect notice, call immediately — some cooperatives can stop the process if you make a payment or agree to a plan before the scheduled date.
Understanding your Pennyrile bill and what you are paying for
Your Pennyrile bill breaks down into several parts: the energy charge (what you actually use), a base or customer charge (a fixed monthly fee), and sometimes taxes or other adjustments. The energy charge is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is the main number that changes month to month based on your usage. The base charge stays the same regardless of how much electricity you use.
Look at the "current charges" section of your bill to see the breakdown. If your bill seems unusually high, check whether you used more electricity than normal — heating or cooling in extreme weather, a new appliance, or a change in your routine can all raise the total. If the usage number itself looks wrong, contact Pennyrile to request a meter check.
Finding your account number and payment due date
Your account number appears at the top of your paper bill or in your online account dashboard. You will need it to pay by phone or mail. The due date is also printed on the bill, usually near the amount owed. Most Pennyrile bills are due within 20 to 25 days of the bill date, though this can vary.
If you have lost your bill or cannot find your account number, log into pennyrile.com with your email and password, or call 1-800-595-1858 and a representative can give you the number over the phone. Keep your account number handy so you can pay quickly if needed.
Switching payment methods or updating your contact information
If you want to change how you pay — for example, from mailing checks to paying online — log into your Pennyrile account and update your payment method. You can also call customer service to make changes over the phone. If you move or change your phone number, update your contact information in your account so Pennyrile can reach you if there is an issue with your bill.
Keeping your contact information current is important because Pennyrile uses it to send disconnect notices and payment reminders. If they cannot reach you, you might not know your service is at risk until the power goes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Pennyrile bill with a credit card?
Pennyrile's website accepts debit cards and bank account transfers directly. Some third-party payment processors allow credit card payments but charge a fee for the service. Check the payment options on pennyrile.com to see what is available without an extra charge.
What happens if I pay late?
Pennyrile typically allows a grace period after the due date before charging a late fee. If you are more than a few days late, contact them immediately. Repeated late payments can result in a disconnect notice, which gives you a final deadline before service is cut off.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Online payments usually show as processed immediately on the website. For phone or mail payments, allow a few business days for the payment to post to your account. You can log in anytime to check your account balance and payment history.
Does Pennyrile offer budget billing or levelized payments?
Many electric cooperatives offer programs that spread your annual costs evenly across 12 months so your bill is more predictable. Contact Pennyrile at 1-800-595-1858 to ask whether this option is available and how to enroll.
What if I think my meter is reading incorrectly?
Call Pennyrile and request a meter inspection. They will send someone to check whether the meter is working properly. If it is faulty, they may adjust your bill for the period it was malfunctioning. There is usually no charge for this service.