How to Pay Your Avista Utilities Bill Online, by Phone, or Mail

Ways to pay your Avista bill

Avista Utilities offers four main ways to pay your electric or natural gas bill: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The online method is the fastest and requires no phone call or envelope. Phone payment takes a few minutes and works if you have your bill handy. Mail and in-person payments take longer to process but don't require internet access or a phone conversation.

Avista serves parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The payment methods available to you depend on which state you live in and which utility company serves your address — Avista operates under different names in different regions. Check your bill to confirm which company you pay.

Key Takeaways

• Avista's online bill pay portal at avistautilities.com lets you pay when ready without fees, and you can set up automatic monthly payments there.
• Phone payment through Avista's automated system or a representative works the same day but may charge a fee depending on your payment method.
• Mail payments should be sent to the address on your bill and typically take 7 to 10 business days to reach Avista's office.
• In-person payment locations vary by region; call Avista's customer service line to find the nearest one in your area.
• Setting up autopay through the online portal removes the need to remember to pay each month and prevents late fees.

Paying online through Avista's website

Go to avistautilities.com and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "Bill Pay" link on the homepage. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill, and either a bank account or debit or credit card. The website accepts payments when ready, and there is no fee for paying with a bank account. Credit and debit card payments may carry a processing fee — the website will show you the amount before you confirm.

Online payment is fastest if you need to pay the same day. The money reaches Avista within one business day when you pay from a bank account. If you use a card, the transaction processes when ready but may take an extra day to show on your account. You can also view your balance, see your payment history, and read past bills from the same portal.

To set up automatic monthly payments, log into your account on the Avista website and select the autopay option. You choose the payment date each month, and Avista will deduct the amount automatically. You can change or stop autopay at any time through your account settings.

Paying by phone

Call Avista's customer service number, which is on your bill. You can speak to a representative or use the automated phone system to pay. Have your account number and a bank account, debit card, or credit card ready. Phone payments process the same day you call, though the money may take one business day to appear in Avista's system.

Automated phone payment is available 24 hours a day and takes about five minutes. A representative can answer questions about your bill or account but may take longer to reach, especially during business hours. Both methods may charge a fee if you pay with a card; paying from a bank account typically has no fee. The representative or automated system will tell you the fee amount before the payment goes through.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order and mail it to the address shown on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and be processed. If your bill is due soon, mailing is not the fastest option — online or phone payment is safer if you are close to the due date.

Keep a copy of your check or money order number for your records. If you are concerned the payment did not arrive, you can call Avista's customer service to confirm receipt once enough time has passed. Do not send cash through the mail.

Paying in person

Avista has payment locations in some areas where you can pay cash, check, or card in person. The locations and hours vary by region. Call Avista's customer service number on your bill to find the nearest payment location and its hours. In-person payments are processed when ready, though it may take one business day for the payment to show on your account.

In-person payment is useful if you prefer to pay with cash or want a receipt on the spot. Some locations may charge a fee for card payments, so ask before you pay.

Late payments and past-due bills

If your bill is overdue, you can still pay online, by phone, or in person. Avista may charge a late fee if payment arrives after the due date shown on your bill. The late fee amount is listed on your bill. Paying as soon as possible stops additional late fees from building up.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact Avista's customer service to ask about payment plans or hardship programs. Some regions have programs that may help if you are struggling with utility costs, though these vary by state and your situation.

Setting up and managing autopay

Autopay is the easiest way to pay if you want to avoid late fees and remember to pay each month. Log into your Avista account online, find the autopay or automatic payment section, and choose your payment method and date. You can set the payment for the full bill amount or a fixed amount each month. Avista will send you a confirmation email each time a payment is made.

You can change your autopay date, amount, or payment method anytime through your account. If you want to stop autopay, you can turn it off in your account settings or call customer service. Stopping autopay does not affect past payments — you will straightforward need to pay future bills manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my Avista bill online?

No fee applies if you pay from a bank account. Credit and debit card payments may have a processing fee, which Avista shows you before you confirm the payment. The fee amount varies and is typically a small percentage of your bill.

How long does it take for my payment to show on my account?

Online and phone payments from a bank account usually show within one business day. Card payments may take an extra day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days. In-person payments show within one business day.

Can I pay my bill if I don't have online access?

Yes. You can pay by phone 24 hours a day using the automated system, by mail, or in person at a payment location. Call the number on your bill to find a location near you or to speak with a representative.

What happens if I set up autopay and then move?

Contact Avista to update your address before you move. Your autopay will continue with your new account at the same address. If you move to an area Avista does not serve, you will need to close your account and set up service with a new utility company.

Can I pay someone else's Avista bill?

Yes, if you have their account number. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail using their account number. The payment will be applied to their account. If you want to set up ongoing payments for someone else, contact Avista's customer service to discuss options.