NOVEC bill pay lets you settle your Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative account through their website, phone line, or by mailing a check — and you can set up automatic payments so the bill comes out of your account each month without you having to remember.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) serves parts of Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties. Their bill pay system is straightforward: you can pay online through your account portal, call their automated phone line, mail a check, or arrange automatic withdrawals. Each method has different timing and confirmation steps, so knowing which one fits your situation saves you from late fees and service interruptions.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay NOVEC bills online through their member portal, by phone at their automated line, by mail, or through automatic bank withdrawals.
- Online payments usually post within one to two business days, while mailed checks take five to seven business days depending on mail delivery and processing.
- Setting up automatic payments means your bill comes out on the same date each month, but you should still review your bill each time to catch errors or unusual charges.
- NOVEC does not charge a fee for online payments made directly through their website or for automatic bank withdrawals.
- If you miss a payment deadline, NOVEC typically allows a grace period before disconnection, but the exact number of days depends on your account status.
Paying online through the NOVEC member portal
Log in to your account at novec.coop using your account number and password. If you do not have a login yet, you can create one on their website by entering your account number and the last four digits of your phone number. Once you are logged in, look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" button — the exact wording may vary slightly depending on when the site was last updated.
Enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay the full balance or a partial amount), choose your payment method (bank account or debit card), and confirm the payment date. NOVEC will show you a confirmation number immediately. Write this down or take a screenshot. The payment will post to your account within one to two business days, though it may appear as "pending" for a few hours after you submit it.
Do not assume the payment is complete just because you see a confirmation number. Log back into your account the next business day to verify the payment actually posted. If it did not, contact NOVEC's member services line at 540-338-1000 during business hours with your confirmation number.
Automatic payments from your bank account
Automatic payments remove the step of remembering to pay each month. Set this up through the NOVEC member portal by selecting "Autopay" or "Automatic Payment" and linking your checking or savings account. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number — both appear on a blank check if you do not have them memorized.
Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month (usually between the 1st and the 28th). NOVEC will deduct either your full bill amount or a fixed amount you specify. If you choose a fixed amount, make sure it covers at least your average bill so you do not fall behind during high-usage months.
Review your bank statement each month to confirm the withdrawal went through. If NOVEC ever fails to collect a payment on the scheduled date, your bank will notify you, but it is your responsibility to follow up with NOVEC to reschedule. Automatic payments are free and do not require a credit card.
Paying by phone or automated system
Call NOVEC's automated payment line at 540-338-1000. You will need your account number and a debit card or bank account information. The system will walk you through entering the amount and confirming the payment date. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call — save this.
Phone payments post on the same timeline as online payments: one to two business days. If you prefer to speak with a person instead of using the automated system, you can call during business hours and ask to make a payment over the phone, though some representatives may direct you back to the automated line to speed up the process.
Mailing a check or money order
Write your account number on the check or money order. Mail it to the address printed on your bill — this is usually NOVEC's main office in Leesburg, but confirm on your current statement because mailing addresses can change. Include your payment stub if possible, as it helps their processing team match the payment to your account faster.
Mail typically takes three to five business days to arrive, and NOVEC's processing team may take another two to three days to post the payment to your account. This means a check mailed on a Monday might not show up in your account until the following week. If your bill is due soon, mailing is the slowest option — use online or phone payment instead.
Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it. If the payment does not appear in your account within seven business days, contact NOVEC with this information so they can track it down.
Understanding payment deadlines and late fees
Your bill shows a due date, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued. NOVEC typically allows a grace period of a few days after the due date before charging a late fee, but the exact number of days is listed on your bill. If you pay after the grace period ends, a late fee (usually a percentage of your bill) will be added to your next statement.
If you do not pay within 30 to 45 days of the due date (the exact timeline is in your service agreement), NOVEC may disconnect your service. Before disconnection, they will send you a notice. If you receive a disconnection notice, call member services immediately at 540-338-1000 to discuss a payment plan or to make an emergency payment.
What to do if a payment fails or does not post
If you made an online or phone payment and it did not post within two business days, log back into your account or call 540-338-1000 with your confirmation number. Have the confirmation number, the amount, and the date you submitted the payment ready. NOVEC's team can look up the transaction and tell you whether it is still processing, failed due to a bank issue, or was rejected.
If the payment failed because your bank account had insufficient funds, you will need to make the payment again using a different method or account. If it failed for another reason, NOVEC can usually resubmit it immediately. Do not make a second payment without confirming the first one actually failed — paying twice by accident is harder to reverse than you might think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NOVEC charge a fee to pay my bill online?
No. NOVEC does not charge a fee for payments made directly through their website or for automatic bank withdrawals. If you use a third-party payment service or pay with a credit card through a third party, that service may charge a fee, but NOVEC's own system is free.
Can I set up automatic payments for only part of my bill?
Yes. When you set up autopay, you can choose to have a fixed amount withdrawn each month instead of the full bill. This is useful if you want to spread payments across two dates or if you prefer to pay part automatically and part manually. Just make sure the fixed amount covers your average bill so you do not fall behind.
What happens if I pay too much by accident?
The overpayment will show as a credit on your next bill. NOVEC will apply it to your next month's charges. If you want a refund instead, contact member services at 540-338-1000 and request one — they can mail you a check, though it may take a few weeks to process.
Can I pay someone else's NOVEC bill?
You can pay online or by phone if you have the account number, but NOVEC cannot confirm whether you are authorized to pay it. If you are paying a family member's or roommate's bill, make sure they know you are doing so to avoid confusion. For ongoing payments on someone else's account, contact NOVEC to discuss adding yourself as an authorized payer.
What if my payment is due but I do not have the money yet?
Contact NOVEC's member services at 540-338-1000 before the due date to discuss a payment plan or extension. They may be able to delay the due date by a week or two, or set up a plan where you pay part now and part later. Calling before you miss the deadline is much better than calling after, because it shows good faith and gives them options to help.