PGW's online payment portal lets you pay from your computer or phone without calling or mailing a check
Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) customers can pay bills online through the company's website. You log in with your account number and password, enter a payment amount, and choose a payment date. The system accepts bank account transfers and credit or debit cards, though card payments may carry a fee. Payments typically process within one business day.
You do not need to set up anything in advance to make a one-time payment. If you want payments to happen automatically each month, PGW offers that as a separate option called Budget Billing or AutoPay, which you can enroll in through the same portal.
Key Takeaways
- Go to pgworks.com, click "Pay My Bill," and log in with your account number and the password you created when you registered.
- One-time payments process within one business day, so plan ahead if your bill is due soon.
- Credit and debit card payments may include a processing fee, but bank account transfers typically do not.
- AutoPay lets you set up recurring monthly payments from your bank account to avoid late fees.
- If you cannot pay the full amount, contact PGW about payment plans or hardship programs before your account falls behind.
Step-by-step: Making a one-time payment online
Start at pgworks.com. Look for the "Pay My Bill" button, usually on the homepage or in the top navigation. Click it and you will land on the payment portal.
Log in using your account number (found on your bill) and the password you created when you first registered. If you have never registered, you will need to create an account first—this takes a few minutes and requires your account number, zip code, and an email address.
Once logged in, enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, the minimum due, or any amount in between. Select your payment date—same-day payments are usually available, but the system may show a later date depending on when you submit. Review the details and choose your payment method.
Payment methods and fees
PGW accepts two main payment methods online: bank account transfer (ACH) and credit or debit card. Bank transfers are free and pull money directly from your checking or savings account. Card payments carry a fee set by the payment processor—this fee varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your payment amount. The portal will show you the exact fee before you confirm.
If the fee matters to your budget, use a bank transfer instead. If you do not have a bank account, a card may be your only online option, though you can also pay by phone or mail to avoid the fee.
Setting up automatic monthly payments (AutoPay)
If you want PGW to withdraw money from your bank account automatically each month, enroll in AutoPay through the same online portal. Log in, look for the AutoPay or Budget Billing section, and follow the prompts to link your bank account and choose a payment date each month.
AutoPay is free and removes the risk of forgetting a payment. Your bill will still arrive each month so you can review the charges, but the payment happens on its own. You can change or cancel AutoPay anytime through your account settings.
What to do if you cannot pay in full
If you do not have enough to pay your full bill, do not ignore it. Contact PGW before your account falls behind. The company offers payment plans that let you spread the amount over several months, and it has hardship programs for customers facing financial difficulty.
Call PGW's customer service at 215-235-1212 to discuss your situation. Explain what you can afford to pay and ask about a plan. Many utilities will work with you to avoid shutoff, but only if you reach out first. If you are over 60, disabled, or have a young child in the home, you may be may be able to access for additional protections or bill assistance through state or local programs—PGW's customer service can point you toward those resources.
Troubleshooting login and payment problems
If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. PGW will send a reset link to the email address on file. If you do not remember your account number, check a recent bill or call customer service.
If a payment fails or does not go through, the portal usually shows an error message explaining why—often a mismatch between the name on your account and the name on your bank account, or insufficient funds. Fix the issue and try again. If the problem persists, call customer service rather than attempting multiple times, which can trigger fraud holds on your bank account.
Payments made after 5 p.m. on a business day typically process the next day. If your bill is due tomorrow, a same-day payment may not clear in time—call customer service to discuss your options or ask about a brief extension.
Paper bills and phone payments as alternatives
Not everyone pays online, and PGW accepts payments by phone and mail. Call 215-235-1212 to pay over the phone with a bank account or card. Mail payments to the address on your bill—allow 7 to 10 days for the check to arrive and post.
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to use it, these methods work just as well. The tradeoff is that phone and mail payments take longer to process, so plan ahead if your bill is due soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my PGW bill with a credit card online without a fee?
No. Credit and debit card payments online include a processing fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent. Bank account transfers (ACH) are free. If you want to avoid the fee, use a bank transfer or pay by phone or mail instead.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my account?
Payments typically post within one business day. If you pay after 5 p.m. on a weekday or on a weekend, it may take until the next business day. The portal will tell you the expected posting date before you confirm the payment.
What if I set up AutoPay but want to skip a month?
Log into your account and pause or cancel AutoPay for that month, then restart it the following month. You can also contact customer service at 215-235-1212 to make the change over the phone.
Is my bank information safe when I pay PGW online?
PGW's payment portal uses encryption to protect your information. Your bank details are not stored on the site after the transaction completes. If you have concerns about security, call customer service to pay over the phone instead.
What happens if my online payment fails?
The portal will show an error message. Common reasons include a name mismatch, insufficient funds, or an expired card. Fix the issue and try again. If it fails a second time, call customer service rather than retrying multiple times, which can trigger fraud blocks.