What TMLP Bill Pay Is and How It Works

TMLP (The My Lights Pay) is an online bill payment system run by Eversource Energy, the utility that serves most of Massachusetts under the NSTAR brand. It lets you pay your electric and gas bills directly through a web portal or mobile app instead of mailing a check or calling a phone line. You create an account, link your bank account or credit card, and schedule one-time or recurring payments.

The system is free to use if you pay from a bank account. If you use a credit or debit card, Eversource charges a processing fee — typically 2.5% of your bill amount. That fee is added to your payment, so a $100 bill paid by card costs you $102.50. The payment usually posts to your account within one to two business days.

TMLP is optional. You can still pay by mail, phone, or automatic bank draft (which has no fee). But if you want to avoid writing checks and see your payment history in one place, TMLP offers that convenience.

Key Takeaways

  • TMLP is Eversource's free online payment system for NSTAR customers in Massachusetts, accessible through their website or mobile app.
  • Paying from a bank account costs nothing; paying by credit or debit card adds a 2.5% processing fee to your bill.
  • You can set up one-time payments or recurring automatic payments, and most payments post within one to two business days.
  • To use TMLP, you need your Eversource account number (found on your bill) and a valid bank account or card.
  • TMLP is not required — you can continue paying by mail, phone, or automatic bank draft at no charge.

How to Set Up Your TMLP Account

Go to the Eversource website (eversource.com) and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "TMLP" link. You will be asked to create a login using your email address and a password you choose. Have your Eversource account number ready — it appears on your bill in the upper right corner, usually starting with a letter.

After you log in, you will enter your payment method. If you choose a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number (found on the bottom left of your checks). If you use a card, you will enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Eversource will verify the account or card with a small test deposit or charge, which may take a few days to appear.

Once verified, you can schedule a payment. Choose your payment amount, the date you want it to post, and whether it is a one-time payment or a recurring monthly payment. Review the details before confirming — Eversource will send you a confirmation email with a reference number.

One-Time Payments vs. Recurring Payments

A one-time payment is useful if you want to pay a single bill or catch up on a past-due balance. You enter the amount and the date, and the payment goes through once. This is the safest option if your bill amount changes month to month, because you control exactly what you pay each time.

A recurring payment automatically deducts the same amount from your account on the same day each month. This works well if your bill is stable and you want to set it and forget it. However, if your bill drops in winter or summer, you may overpay and build a credit on your account. You can pause or cancel a recurring payment at any time through TMLP, but you need to do it before the payment processes.

Most people use one-time payments if their bill varies, and recurring payments if it stays roughly the same. You can also mix both — set up a recurring payment for your average bill, then add a one-time payment in months when the bill is higher.

What to Do If Your Payment Doesn't Post

If you scheduled a payment and it did not appear on your account after two business days, log into TMLP and check the payment history. Look for your payment in the list and note its status — it should say "Processed" or "Pending." If it says "Failed," the payment did not go through, usually because the bank account or card information was incorrect or the account had insufficient funds.

If a payment failed, TMLP will send you an email explaining why. You can reschedule the payment with corrected information. If you do not see your payment in the history at all, contact Eversource directly at 1-800-752-6633 (for electric) or 1-877-659-6326 (for gas) and have your confirmation email or reference number ready. A representative can look up the payment and tell you whether it is still processing or if there was an error.

Do not assume a payment went through just because you scheduled it. Always check your account a few days later to confirm the payment posted. This is especially important if you are trying to avoid a late fee — Eversource considers a payment late if it does not post by the due date on your bill, not the date you scheduled it.

Fees and Costs You Should Know

TMLP itself is free. However, Eversource charges a 2.5% processing fee if you pay with a credit card or debit card. This fee is not optional — it is added to your payment total at checkout. For a $150 bill, you would pay $153.75. For a $50 bill, you would pay $51.25.

Paying from a bank account (checking or savings) has no fee. Automatic bank draft (also called autopay), which you can set up through Eversource's website or by phone, also has no fee. If you want to avoid the card fee, use your bank account instead.

Some credit card companies offer cash back or rewards on bill payments, which might offset the 2.5% fee. Do the math: if your card gives you 2% cash back and TMLP charges 2.5%, you net a 0.5% loss. If your card gives you 3% cash back, you net a 0.5% gain. But most cards do not reward utility payments at a high rate, so bank account payment is usually the cheapest option.

Security and Privacy on TMLP

TMLP uses encryption to protect your login and payment information. Your password should be unique and strong — at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password as your email or other accounts. If you think someone has accessed your TMLP account, change your password immediately and contact Eversource.

When you log in, use a secure internet connection — ideally your home Wi-Fi or a trusted network, not public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop. Eversource will never ask you for your password by email or phone. If you receive an email claiming to be from Eversource and asking you to "verify" your account or click a link, do not click it — it is likely a phishing scam. Instead, go directly to eversource.com in your browser and log in from there.

Your payment history on TMLP shows the last four digits of your bank account or card, not the full number. This is a safety feature. If you need to update your payment method, you can do so in your account settings at any time.

Alternatives to TMLP

If TMLP does not work for you, Eversource offers other payment methods. You can mail a check to the address on your bill — allow 7 to 10 days for it to arrive and post. You can call 1-800-752-6633 (electric) or 1-877-659-6326 (gas) and pay by phone with a bank account or card; the card fee applies here too. You can also set up automatic bank draft, where Eversource withdraws a fixed amount from your account on a date you choose each month — this is free and requires no action from you after setup.

Some customers prefer automatic bank draft because it is truly "set and forget" and has no fee. Others prefer TMLP because they can see the payment before it posts and adjust the amount if needed. Choose the method that fits your habits and comfort level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my bill before I receive it in the mail?

Yes. TMLP shows your current balance and due date as soon as you log in, even if your paper bill has not arrived. You can pay the balance shown on TMLP at any time. However, if you pay before the bill is officially issued, make sure the amount matches what you expect — if there is a large discrepancy, contact Eversource to confirm.

What happens if I schedule a payment but then want to cancel it?

If the payment has not yet posted (still shows as "Pending" in TMLP), you can cancel it through your account. Log in, find the payment in your history, and select "Cancel." If the payment has already posted ("Processed"), you cannot cancel it, but you can contact Eversource to request a refund or credit to your account.

Do I need to create a separate TMLP account if I have both electric and gas service?

No. One TMLP account covers all Eversource services at your address. When you log in, you will see all your accounts and can pay them together or separately.

Is TMLP the same as the Eversource mobile app?

TMLP is the payment system, and the Eversource mobile app includes TMLP as one feature. You can pay through the app or through the website — both use the same account and payment history. Choose whichever is more convenient for you.

What if I move or change my service address?

Contact Eversource to update your address. Your TMLP account is tied to your account number, not your address, so you may be able to keep using the same login. However, if you close your current account and open a new one at a different address, you will need to set up a new TMLP account with the new account number.