How to Pay Your BGE Bill Online, by Phone, or Mail

BGE bill payment methods and where to send your money

BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) is the utility company that serves central Maryland. You can pay your BGE bill through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at payment centers. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment to reach them and whether you want to set up automatic payments.

BGE does not charge a fee for paying online through their website or through automatic bank transfers. Paying by phone, mail, or at a payment center is also free. If you use a third-party payment processor or credit card, that processor may charge you a fee — BGE does not control those fees.

Your bill shows a due date, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is mailed. Payments must arrive by that date to avoid a late fee. If you mail a check, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to reach BGE's processing center.

Key Takeaways

• Pay online at BGE's website (bge.com) for free with no processing fee, and the payment posts the same day or next business day.
• Set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account through BGE's website to avoid missing a due date.
• Mail checks to BGE's payment address shown on your bill; allow 7 to 10 business days for delivery and processing.
• Call BGE's customer service at 1-888-685-0123 to pay by phone with a debit card or bank account, but confirm the payment date before hanging up.
• Late payments trigger a fee and may result in service disconnection if the account falls 30 or more days past due.

Paying online through BGE's website

Go to bge.com and log into your account using your account number and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one using your account number and the zip code on your bill. Once logged in, select "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment."

Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or a fixed monthly amount if you set up automatic payments. Choose your payment method: bank account (checking or savings) or debit card. BGE charges no fee for bank account transfers. If you use a debit card, a third-party processor may charge a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent, which BGE will show you before you confirm.

Select the payment date. If you choose today or tomorrow, the payment posts within one business day. If you choose a future date, BGE will process it on that date. After you confirm, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have questions about the payment later.

Setting up automatic payments from your bank account

Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. Log into your BGE account online, go to "Billing & Payments," and select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments." Choose whether you want to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed amount you set.

Enter your bank account number and routing number. BGE will process the payment on the date you choose — usually the due date or a few days before. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account, and you will receive an email confirmation each time a payment is processed.

If your bank account changes, update it in your BGE account right away. If a payment fails because the account is closed or has insufficient funds, BGE will attempt to reprocess it, but you may be charged a returned payment fee.

Paying by phone or through a payment center

Call BGE customer service at 1-888-685-0123 to pay by phone. Have your account number and a debit card or bank account information ready. A representative will process your payment and give you a confirmation number. Ask whether the payment will post today or on a future date — this depends on when you call and what payment method you use.

BGE also accepts payments at authorized payment centers in Maryland. These are typically grocery stores, check-cashing businesses, or utility payment kiosks. Bring your bill or account number and cash or a debit card. The payment posts within one to two business days. You can find payment center locations on bge.com or by calling customer service.

Mailing a check to BGE

Write your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill — this address changes depending on which payment processing center handles your account, so always use the address on your current bill, not an old one.

Mail your check at least 10 business days before the due date to account for postal delivery and BGE's processing time. BGE receives mail at multiple locations, and processing can take 5 to 7 business days after arrival. If your check arrives after the due date, you will be charged a late fee even if you mailed it on time.

Keep a copy of the check or write down the check number and amount. If the payment does not appear on your account within two weeks, contact BGE with this information.

What happens if your payment is late

BGE charges a late fee if your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill. The late fee is a percentage of your bill amount — the exact percentage varies but is shown on your bill. Late fees are added to your next bill.

If your account is 30 or more days past due, BGE may disconnect your service without further notice. You will need to pay the full past-due amount plus any late fees and a reconnection fee to restore service. If you cannot pay the full amount, contact BGE when ready to discuss a payment plan or hardship programs that may be available in your area.

Troubleshooting payment problems

If you paid online but do not see the payment on your account within two business days, log back into your account and check the payment status. BGE's system will show whether the payment is pending, processed, or failed. If it failed, the reason will be listed — usually an incorrect account number, expired card, or insufficient funds.

If you paid by phone or at a payment center and received a confirmation number, but the payment does not appear within two business days, call customer service with that confirmation number. They can look up the payment in their system and tell you when it will post.

If you believe you were charged a late fee in error, contact BGE within 30 days with proof of payment — a cancelled check, bank statement, or confirmation number. BGE will review the claim and remove the fee if the payment arrived before the due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my BGE bill with a credit card?

BGE's website does not accept credit cards directly. You can pay with a debit card through a third-party processor, which charges a convenience fee. Some credit card companies offer bill payment services that send a check on your behalf — contact your card issuer to see if this option is available.

What if I want to pay only part of my bill?

You can make a partial payment online, by phone, or by mail. Enter or write the amount you want to pay. Partial payments reduce your balance but do not stop late fees if the full amount is not paid by the due date. If you are struggling to pay the full bill, contact BGE about budget billing or hardship programs.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Log into your online account and check your payment history. BGE shows the date each payment was received and the amount. You can also call customer service with your confirmation number. Keep confirmation numbers or bank statements as proof of payment for your records.

Can I set up automatic payments if I do not have a bank account?

Automatic payments require a bank account or debit card. If you do not have either, you can pay by phone, mail, or at a payment center each month. Some community organizations and nonprofits offer prepaid card accounts that work like bank accounts — contact your local community action agency to learn what options exist in your area.

What if I move and want to transfer my BGE service?

Contact BGE to close your current account and open a new one at your new address. You will receive a final bill for the old address. Pay it using any method listed on that bill. Your new account will have a separate account number and billing address for payments.