What Versant Bill Pay is and how to use it
Versant Bill Pay is the online payment system run by Versant Power, the utility that serves parts of Maine. It lets you pay your electric bill through their website or mobile app instead of mailing a check. You can set up one-time payments or recurring automatic payments, and you can pay from a bank account or debit card.
The system is free to use. Versant does not charge a fee for online payments made from a bank account. If you pay by debit or credit card, a third-party processor charges a fee — usually around 2.5 percent of your bill amount — but you see that fee before you confirm the payment, so you can choose whether to proceed.
You access Versant Bill Pay by logging into your account on the Versant Power website or by downloading the Versant mobile app. You will need your account number, which appears on your paper bill or in any email from Versant.
Key Takeaways
- Versant Bill Pay is free when you pay from a checking or savings account, but debit and credit card payments include a processor fee of roughly 2.5 percent.
- You can make a one-time payment immediately or set up automatic recurring payments on a date you choose each month.
- Payments from a bank account typically post to your account within one to two business days.
- If you do not have internet access or prefer to mail a check, you can still pay by mail using the payment coupon on your bill.
- Your account number is required to set up or make any payment through Versant Bill Pay.
How to make a one-time payment through Versant Bill Pay
Go to the Versant Power website and select "Pay My Bill" or "Bill Payment" from the main menu. You will be asked to log in with your account number and password. If you do not have a password yet, you can create one on the login page — you will need your account number and the zip code associated with your service address.
Once logged in, select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method: bank account or debit/credit card. If you choose a bank account, provide your routing number and account number. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV.
Review the payment details, including any processor fee if you are using a card. Confirm the payment. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Bank account payments usually post within one to two business days. Card payments may post the same day or the next business day, depending on your card issuer.
Setting up automatic recurring payments
Automatic payments save you the step of logging in each month. Log into your Versant account and look for "Recurring Payments," "AutoPay," or "Automatic Payments" — the exact label varies by the version of the website you see.
Select the option to create a new recurring payment. Choose the amount (you can pay your full bill each month or a fixed dollar amount), the payment method (bank account or card), and the day of the month you want the payment to go out. Most customers choose a date a few days before their bill is due, which you can find on your paper bill or in your online account.
Confirm the setup. Versant will send you a confirmation email with the details of your recurring payment. You can change or cancel the recurring payment at any time by logging back into your account and editing the payment schedule. If you cancel, make sure you have another way to pay your bill that month, or you may fall behind.
Paying by mail if you do not use online payment
If you prefer not to use Versant Bill Pay or do not have internet access, you can mail a check or money order. Your paper bill includes a payment coupon with your account number, the amount due, and the mailing address. Write your account number on the check or money order and mail it with the coupon to the address shown.
Mail payments take longer to reach Versant than online payments. A check mailed from within Maine typically arrives within three to five business days. Versant processes it and posts it to your account a day or two after that. If your bill is due soon, mailing a check cuts it close — consider paying online or calling Versant to make a phone payment if you are near the due date.
Keep a copy of the coupon or write down your account number and the amount you mailed, in case you need to follow up on a payment that does not post on time.
What to do if your payment does not post or you see an error
Log into your Versant account and check your payment history. Look for the payment you made and its status — it should show as "pending," "processed," or "posted." If the payment shows as posted but your bill still shows a balance, the payment may have been applied to a different account or the timing may not have updated yet. Wait one business day and check again.
If the payment shows as pending and more than two business days have passed since you made it, contact Versant Power directly. You can call their customer service line (the number is on your bill) or use the "Contact Us" option on their website. Have your confirmation number ready. Versant can look up the payment in their system and tell you whether it is still processing or if there was a problem.
If you made a payment by mail and it has been more than a week with no sign of it posting, call Versant with the date you mailed it and the amount. They can search their incoming mail records and help you track it down.
Choosing between bank account and card payments
Bank account payments are free and are the cheapest way to pay online. Use this method if you have a checking or savings account and do not mind sharing your routing and account numbers with Versant.
Card payments are convenient if you want to earn rewards points or cash back on your utility bill, but the processor fee eats into that benefit. For example, if your bill is $150 and the fee is 2.5 percent, you pay $153.75 total — so you would need to earn more than $3.75 in rewards to come out ahead. Check your card's rewards rate before you decide.
Some people use card payments only for large bills or in months when they have a promotional bonus. Others stick with bank account payments year-round to avoid fees. There is no wrong choice — it depends on your rewards rate and how much the fee matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Versant bill over the phone?
Yes. Call the customer service number on your bill and tell them you want to make a phone payment. Have your account number and payment method (bank account or card) ready. Phone payments are processed the same way as online payments and post within one to two business days.
What happens if I set up automatic payments but my bill amount changes?
If you set up a fixed dollar amount, that amount will be charged every month regardless of what your bill is. If your bill is lower one month, you will have a credit on your account that rolls forward. If your bill is higher, you will still owe the difference. If you set up automatic payments for your "full bill," Versant charges whatever the current bill amount is each month.
Is my bank information safe when I pay through Versant Bill Pay?
Versant uses encryption to protect your information during transmission. Your bank account and card numbers are not stored on Versant's website — they are sent directly to the payment processor. That said, you should always log in from a secure device and never share your password with anyone.
Can I get a receipt or proof of payment?
Yes. Versant sends a confirmation email immediately after you make a payment, and you can view your payment history in your online account at any time. Print or save the confirmation email or take a screenshot of your payment history if you need proof for your records.
What if I want to stop automatic payments?
Log into your Versant account, find your recurring payment in the payment settings, and select "Cancel" or "Delete." Versant will send you a confirmation email. Make sure you have another way to pay your bill that month, or set up a new payment method before you cancel the automatic one.