How to Pay Your Gas Bill Online or by Phone

What gas bill pay does and how it works

Gas bill pay lets you send money to your gas utility from your bank account without writing a check or going in person. You tell your bank or your gas company how much to pay and when, and the money moves electronically to your utility's account. The payment usually takes one to three business days to show up on your gas bill.

You have two main routes: pay through your bank's bill pay system (which your bank sends to the gas company) or pay directly through your gas company's website or phone line. Both are free. The difference is where you set it up and who you contact if something goes wrong.

Gas bill pay is not the same as budget billing or automatic payments, though you can combine them. Budget billing spreads your yearly gas costs into equal monthly charges. Automatic payments deduct the same amount every month without you having to authorize each one. Gas bill pay means you choose the amount and the date each time.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay your gas bill through your bank's bill pay system or directly through your gas company's website or phone number.
• Payments typically take one to three business days to post, so send them before your due date, not on it.
• You will need your account number from your gas bill and your bank account or debit card information to set up payment.
• If you pay through your bank, the gas company receives the payment as a check or electronic transfer; if you pay the utility directly, the money goes straight to them.
• Payments made on weekends or holidays are usually processed the next business day.

Paying through your bank's bill pay system

Most banks offer bill pay as part of their checking account. Log into your online banking portal, look for "Bill Pay" or "Pay Bills," and add your gas company as a payee. You will need your gas account number, which appears on your bill. Enter the gas company's mailing address (your bank will have this on file or you can find it on your gas bill).

Once the payee is set up, you can schedule a payment for any date you choose. Enter the amount, pick the date you want the payment to go out, and confirm. Your bank will send the money as an electronic transfer or check, depending on the utility. Most utilities receive bank bill pay payments within one to three business days.

The advantage of bank bill pay is that you manage all your bills in one place. If a payment fails or the gas company never receives it, your bank can investigate and resend it. The disadvantage is that you cannot see the payment post to your gas account in real time — you have to check your gas bill online or wait for the paper statement.

Paying directly through your gas company

Most gas utilities let you pay on their website without setting up anything in advance. Find your gas company's website, enter your account number, and follow the prompts to pay by debit card or bank account. Some utilities also let you pay by phone by calling the number on your bill.

When you pay the utility directly, the money usually posts to your account the same day or the next business day. You can see the payment reflected when ready on your online account, which makes it easier to confirm the payment went through. Many utilities also send you a confirmation number by email.

The trade-off is that you have to remember to go to the gas company's website each time, or you have to call and speak to someone. If you want to set up a recurring payment so you do not have to do this every month, most utilities offer that option on their website — but that is automatic payment, not bill pay.

What information you need before you pay

Have your gas bill in front of you. You will need your account number, which is usually at the top of the bill. You will also need the amount you owe (the "Total Amount Due" line) and the due date.

If you are paying through your bank, you need your bank account number and routing number, or a debit card number. If you are paying the gas company directly online, you can use a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Paying by credit card may trigger a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent, so check before you confirm. Paying by bank account or debit card is always free.

If you are paying by phone, have your account number and payment method ready. The utility will ask you to verify your address or the last four digits of your Social Security number before processing the payment.

Timing: when to send your payment so it arrives on time

Send your payment at least one business day before your due date. If your due date is a Friday, send it by Thursday. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the utility usually extends the important date to the next business day, but do not count on it — pay early instead.

Payments sent on Friday evening or over the weekend are typically processed on Monday. If you are cutting it close, pay directly through the gas company's website or phone line instead of through your bank, because bank bill pay can take up to three days.

If you miss the due date, most utilities charge a late fee and may report the late payment to credit bureaus. Some utilities also charge a reconnection fee if your service is shut off. If you know you will be late, call the utility and ask about a payment plan or extension before the due date passes.

What happens after you send the payment

If you paid through your bank, check your bank account to confirm the payment left your account. Then check your gas bill online in one to three days to confirm the utility received it. If the payment does not show up after three business days, contact your bank and ask them to trace it.

If you paid directly through the gas company, you should see the payment on your online account within 24 hours. The utility will send you a confirmation email or text if you signed up for notifications. Keep the confirmation number in case you need to dispute the payment later.

Once the payment posts, your balance will drop by the amount you paid. If you paid more than you owe, the utility will credit the overpayment to your next bill or refund it, depending on their policy. Check your next bill to see where the credit went.

Troubleshooting a payment that did not go through

If your payment was rejected, the most common reasons are a wrong account number, insufficient funds in your bank account, or an expired debit card. Check your account number against your gas bill and try again. If you used a debit card, make sure it has not expired and that you have enough money in the account it draws from.

If you paid through your bank and the payment never arrived, contact your bank's customer service and give them the date you sent it and the amount. They can check whether the payment was sent and, if it was, trace where it went. If the bank sent it but the utility never received it, the bank can resend it or issue a replacement check.

If you paid the utility directly and the payment did not post after three business days, call the gas company's customer service line and give them the confirmation number. They can look up the payment in their system and tell you whether it is still processing or if there was an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my gas bill with a credit card?

Most gas utilities accept credit cards on their website, but they charge a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent. Paying by bank account or debit card is free. If you want to use a credit card to earn rewards, check whether the fee is worth it.

What if I want to pay the same amount every month automatically?

That is automatic payment, not bill pay. Set it up on your gas company's website or by calling them. You authorize the utility to deduct a fixed amount on the same day each month. You can change or cancel it anytime, but you have to do it through the utility, not your bank.

Do I have to pay the full amount due, or can I pay part of it?

You can pay any amount you want, even if it is less than the full bill. The remaining balance will carry over to your next bill and may accrue a late fee if it is not paid by the due date. If you are struggling to pay, contact your gas company about a payment plan.

Is gas bill pay safe?

Yes. Both your bank and your gas company use encryption to protect your account number and payment information. Your bank and the utility are regulated by federal law to keep your data find. Never share your account number or payment information with anyone who contacts you claiming to be from the gas company.

What if I accidentally pay twice?

Contact your gas company when ready and explain the duplicate payment. They will credit the overpayment to your next bill or refund it. Keep your confirmation numbers so you can prove both payments were sent.