How to Pay Your BGE Bill Online and by Phone

What BGE Bill Pay Is and How to Use It

BGE Bill Pay is Baltimore Gas and Electric's system for paying your utility bill without writing a check or visiting a payment location. You can pay online through your BGE account, by phone, or through automatic payments that come out of your bank account on a date you choose. The system is free to use, and payments typically post within one to two business days.

BGE serves about 1.3 million customers in central Maryland and the District of Columbia. Whether you have a gas bill, electric bill, or both combined on one account, you manage all payments through the same system. You do not need to set up a separate account — you use the account number printed on your bill.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay your BGE bill online at bge.com, by phone at 1-888-685-0123, or through automatic bank withdrawals without any fee.
• Online payments require your account number and a bank account or debit card, and the payment posts within one to two business days.
• Automatic payments (called Budget Billing or AutoPay) deduct money from your bank account on a date you set each month.
• If you pay by phone, a representative can help you set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic payments during the same call.
• Late payments trigger a reconnection fee if your service is shut off, so setting up automatic payment removes that risk.

Paying Online Through Your BGE Account

To pay online, go to bge.com and sign in with 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. The sign-up takes about five minutes and requires an email address.

Once you are logged in, select "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment." You will enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment method: a bank account (checking or savings) or a debit card. BGE does not accept credit cards for bill payment. Enter the routing number and account number for your bank, or your debit card number, expiration date, and CVV. Review the payment date — it will show you when the money will leave your account and when BGE will receive it.

Click "Confirm" and you will see a confirmation number on screen. Save or print this number in case you need to reference the payment later. The money typically leaves your bank account within one business day and posts to your BGE account within one to two business days. You can check the status of a recent payment by logging back in and viewing your payment history.

Paying by Phone

Call BGE's automated payment line at 1-888-685-0123. The system will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You will then enter your bank account or debit card information. The call takes about five minutes, and you will receive a confirmation number at the end.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can stay on the line after the automated menu or call during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time). A representative can process a one-time payment, answer questions about your bill, or help you set up automatic payments. They can also tell you if your account has any past-due balance or if a reconnection fee applies.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. BGE calls this service AutoPay. You choose a date between the 1st and the 28th of each month, and BGE withdraws the full bill amount from your bank account on that date. The withdrawal is free, and you can change or cancel the arrangement at any time.

To enroll, log into your BGE account online and select "Manage AutoPay," or call 1-888-685-0123 and ask a representative to set it up. You will need your bank account number and routing number, or a debit card number. Once AutoPay is active, you will see "Scheduled" next to your upcoming bill amount in your online account.

If you want to pay a different amount in a particular month — for example, to pay down a balance faster — you can make a one-time additional payment online or by phone without affecting your AutoPay schedule. Your regular automatic payment will still go through on the date you set.

What Happens If You Miss a Payment

If your bill is not paid by the due date shown on your statement, BGE will charge a late fee. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. After about 20 days past due, BGE will send a disconnection notice warning that your service may be shut off if you do not pay.

If your service is disconnected, you will owe the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee to have your service restored. The reconnection fee is separate from your bill and can be substantial. This is why automatic payment is valuable — it prevents missed payments and the fees that follow.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact BGE directly at 1-888-685-0123. They offer payment plans for customers who cannot pay the full amount at once. A representative can discuss options based on your situation.

Paying in Person or by Mail

If you prefer not to pay online or by phone, you can mail a check to the address on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to reach BGE and post to your account, so mail early if your due date is approaching.

You can also pay in person at a BGE payment location or at certain third-party retailers, though these options are less common now that online and phone payment are free. Call 1-888-685-0123 to ask about payment locations near you if you need to pay in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my BGE bill online or by phone?

No. BGE does not charge a fee for online payments, phone payments, or automatic payments. You pay only the amount of your bill itself.

Can I pay my BGE bill with a credit card?

No. BGE accepts only bank accounts (checking or savings) and debit cards. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to use a third-party payment service, which may charge its own fee.

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

The money typically leaves your bank account within one business day. BGE receives and posts the payment within one to two business days. If your due date is within two days, call 1-888-685-0123 to make sure your payment will arrive in time.

What if I set up AutoPay but want to skip a month?

You can pause or cancel AutoPay at any time through your online account or by calling 1-888-685-0123. If you pause it, you can resume it later. You can also make a one-time manual payment in any month without affecting your AutoPay schedule.

What should I do if my service was disconnected for non-payment?

Call BGE at 1-888-685-0123 when ready. You will need to pay the full past-due balance plus the reconnection fee. A representative can tell you the total amount due and discuss payment options. Service is usually restored within one business day of payment.