PECO bill payment options and how to use them
PECO offers five main ways to pay your electric or gas bill: online through their website, by phone, by mail, in person at a payment center, or through automatic bank withdrawal. The fastest and most convenient is online payment through your PECO account — you can pay any time, see your balance immediately, and choose a one-time payment or set up recurring payments. Phone payment takes about 10 minutes and reaches PECO the same day you call. Mail and in-person payments take longer to process, so plan ahead if your bill is due soon.
Each method has different timing rules. Online and phone payments typically post within one business day. Mail payments should arrive at PECO's processing center within 5 to 7 business days from when you send them, depending on postal service delays. In-person payments at a PECO office or authorized payment location post the same day. Automatic bank withdrawal (also called autopay) deducts money from your checking or savings account on a date you choose each month, usually between the 1st and 28th.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your PECO account is the fastest method and lets you pay anytime without calling or mailing a check.
- Phone payments reach PECO the same day you call, but online payment posts within one business day and costs nothing.
- Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Autopay removes the risk of forgetting a payment, but you must set it up in advance through your PECO account or by phone.
- Late fees begin when payment does not reach PECO by the due date shown on your bill, not when you mail or submit it.
Setting up online payment through your PECO account
Log into your PECO account at peco.com using your username and password. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one by entering your account number (found on your bill) and your service address. Once logged in, click "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or phone.
Enter the amount you want to pay and choose a payment date. PECO lets you pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a set-up amount for budget billing. Select your payment method: you can pay from a checking or savings account (no fee) or use a debit or credit card (PECO charges a processing fee, usually around 2 to 3 percent). Review the details and confirm. You will see a confirmation number immediately — save or print this for your records.
If you want to pay the same amount every month without logging in each time, set up autopay in the same section. Choose your bank account or card, pick the day of the month you want the payment to come out, and confirm. You can change or cancel autopay anytime through your account.
Paying by phone or mail
To pay by phone, call PECO's customer service line at 1-800-494-4000. Have your bill or account number ready. A representative will ask how much you want to pay and which account you are paying from. Phone payments from a checking or savings account have no fee. Credit or debit card payments over the phone also carry a processing fee. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to PECO. Write your account number on the check. Include the payment stub from your bill if you have it — this helps PECO match the payment to your account faster. Mail it to the address shown on your bill. Do not send cash. Because mail takes time to arrive and process, send your payment at least 7 to 10 days before the due date. PECO will not consider a payment on time if it arrives after the due date, even if you mailed it earlier.
In-person payment locations and timing
PECO has payment centers in Philadelphia and surrounding areas where you can pay in person. You can also pay at many grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing locations that accept PECO payments — search for "PECO payment locations" on peco.com or call 1-800-494-4000 to find one near you. Bring your bill or account number and the amount you want to pay in cash, check, or debit card. Credit cards are not accepted at most in-person locations.
In-person payments post to your account the same day you make them, so this is a good option if your bill is due very soon and you have not paid yet. However, in-person payment centers have limited hours, and you may have to travel. For most people, online payment is faster and more convenient.
Understanding due dates and late fees
Your bill shows a due date — this is the date PECO must receive your payment to avoid a late fee. The due date is usually 20 to 25 days after your bill is mailed. Late fees vary but typically range from $10 to $25 or a small percentage of your balance, depending on your account type. PECO adds the late fee to your next bill.
The key point: PECO counts a payment as on time based on when it arrives at their office, not when you send it. If you mail a check on the due date, it will almost certainly arrive late and trigger a fee. If you pay online or by phone on the due date, it posts the next business day, which is also late. To be safe, pay at least 2 to 3 business days before the due date if you are mailing, or the day before if you are paying online or by phone.
If you miss a payment, PECO may suspend your service after 10 to 15 days without payment. You can contact PECO to discuss a payment plan or hardship program if you are struggling to pay. These programs may lower your monthly payment or give you extra time, but you must contact PECO before your service is shut off.
Autopay: how it works and how to change it
Autopay is the simplest way to ensure you never miss a payment. Once you set it up, PECO withdraws the amount you choose from your bank account on the same day each month. You can set autopay to pay your full bill, a fixed amount, or a budget billing amount. Most people choose to pay the full bill so they do not carry a balance.
To set up autopay, log into your PECO account and go to "Autopay" or "Recurring Payments." Enter your bank account number and routing number, or link a debit card. Choose the day of the month (between the 1st and 28th) when you want the payment to come out. Confirm, and autopay will begin the next billing cycle.
You can change your autopay amount, payment date, or bank account anytime through your account. If you want to stop autopay, go to the same section and select "Cancel." You can also call PECO at 1-800-494-4000 to make changes over the phone. There is no fee to set up, change, or cancel autopay.
What to do if you cannot pay on time
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact PECO before the bill becomes late. Call 1-800-494-4000 and explain your situation. PECO offers several options: you may be able to set up a payment plan that spreads your bill over several months, request a short extension (usually 10 days), or explore hardship programs that may reduce your monthly payment if you meet income limits.
If your service has already been shut off due to non-payment, you can restore it by paying the full past-due amount plus any reconnection fee. PECO typically charges $50 to $100 to reconnect service, depending on whether a technician must visit your home. Some hardship programs waive reconnection fees, so ask about this when you call.
Do not ignore a past-due bill. The longer you wait, the more fees accumulate, and PECO can eventually refer your account to a collection agency or pursue legal action. Contacting PECO early gives you the most options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my PECO bill with a credit card online?
Yes, but PECO charges a processing fee (usually 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount) when you use a credit card online or by phone. Paying from a checking or savings account has no fee. If you want to use a credit card to earn rewards, calculate whether the rewards are worth the fee.
What happens if I pay after the due date?
PECO will add a late fee to your account, typically $10 to $25 or a percentage of your balance. The late fee appears on your next bill. If you are more than 10 to 15 days late, PECO may shut off your service. Contact PECO immediately if you are late to discuss options.
Can I set up autopay for a partial payment instead of my full bill?
Yes. When you set up autopay, you can choose a fixed amount instead of the full bill amount. This is useful if you want to make extra payments or if you are on a budget billing plan. However, if you pay less than the full bill each month, your balance will grow and you may owe a large amount later.
Is there a way to pay my PECO bill without an online account?
Yes. You can pay by phone at 1-800-494-4000, by mail, or in person at a PECO payment center or authorized location. You do not need an online account for any of these methods. However, an online account makes it easier to track your balance and set up autopay.
What should I do if my online payment does not show up in my account?
Online payments usually post within one business day. If it has been more than one business day and the payment does not appear, log into your account and check the payment history to confirm it was submitted. If you see a confirmation number but no payment, call PECO at 1-800-494-4000 with the confirmation number and they will investigate.