How to Pay Your Illuminating Company Electric Bill

Paying your Illuminating Company bill online, by phone, or by mail

Illuminating Company (also called The Illuminating Company) serves customers in northern Ohio. You can pay your electric bill through their website, by phone, through automatic bank transfers, or by mailing a check. The fastest method is online through their customer portal, which processes payments the same business day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

The company does not charge a fee for online payments made through their website or for payments by phone to their automated system. If you use a third-party payment processor or pay through a credit card, that processor may charge you a fee — Illuminating Company itself does not collect it.

You will need your account number to pay, which appears on your bill or in your online account. If you do not have your bill handy, you can look up your account number on the Illuminating Company website by entering your service address and last name.

Key Takeaways

• Online payments through the Illuminating Company website are free and process the same business day if submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Phone payments to the automated system are also free; call the number on your bill or visit the company website for the current number.
• Automatic bank transfers (autopay) let you set a fixed payment date each month and avoid late fees.
• Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to reach the payment processing center, so send them at least two weeks before your due date.
• Late payments trigger a reconnection fee if your service is shut off; paying on time avoids this cost.

Paying online through your Illuminating Company account

Go to the Illuminating Company website and select "Pay My Bill" or "Manage My Account." You will need to log in with your username and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your account number, service address, and ZIP code.

Once logged in, select the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, the minimum amount due, or a custom amount. Enter or confirm your bank account information. The system will show you the payment date (usually the same business day for online submissions before 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Review the details and submit.

You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Save this number or take a screenshot. The payment will appear in your bank account as a debit within one to three business days, depending on your bank.

Paying by phone or automated system

Call the number on your Illuminating Company bill to reach the automated payment system. You can also visit the company website to find the current phone number. The system accepts payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Have your account number and bank account information ready. The automated system will ask you to enter your account number, confirm your service address, and choose your payment amount. You can pay from a checking or savings account at no charge. The system will assign you a confirmation number — write it down.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, call during business hours (typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). A representative can process your payment over the phone and answer questions about your account.

Setting up automatic payments (autopay)

Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date and triggering a late fee. Log into your online account, go to "Billing" or "Payment Options," and select "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments." Choose the date each month when you want the payment to come out of your bank account — most customers choose the due date shown on their bill.

You can set autopay to pay your full bill each month, or you can set a fixed dollar amount if you prefer. You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your online account or by calling customer service. Illuminating Company will send you a confirmation email when autopay is activated.

Autopay payments are free and process on the date you choose. If your bill amount changes month to month (which is typical for electric bills), the full balance will be deducted on your chosen date.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to Illuminating Company. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your bill — this address is for payments only and is different from the company's main office.

Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach the payment processing center after you drop them in the mail. To avoid a late fee, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If your due date is coming up in fewer than two weeks, use online or phone payment instead.

Do not mail cash. If you do not have a checking account, you can buy a money order at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or check-cashing services for a small fee.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill, Illuminating Company will charge a late fee. The amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill. You will see the late fee added to your next bill.

If you remain unpaid for 30 to 45 days after the due date, the company may shut off your service. To restore service, you will need to pay the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee, which can range from $50 to $150 depending on the circumstances. If you are having trouble paying, contact Illuminating Company before your service is shut off — they may offer a payment plan or direct you to local information programs.

Payment timing and when money leaves your account

Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day are typically processed the same day. Phone payments to the automated system are also processed the same business day. However, the money may not leave your bank account for one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing time.

Mailed checks are not considered received until they arrive at the payment processing center, which takes 7 to 10 business days. Automatic payments (autopay) deduct money on the date you selected, and the money leaves your account within one to three business days.

If you are paying close to your due date, use online or phone payment to may support the company receives it on time. Do not rely on mailed checks for bills due within the next two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Illuminating Company bill with a credit card?

The Illuminating Company website does not accept credit card payments directly. However, some third-party payment processors allow you to pay with a credit card; these processors charge a fee (usually 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount) that you pay, not the utility. Check the payment options on the company website to see if this option is available in your area.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up on my bill?

Online payments typically appear on your account within one business day. If more than two business days have passed and you do not see the payment, contact Illuminating Company customer service with your confirmation number. Have the number ready when you call.

Can I set up autopay for a different amount each month?

Autopay is designed for a fixed amount each month. If your bill varies significantly and you want to pay the full balance automatically, you can set autopay to deduct your full current balance instead of a fixed dollar amount. Check your autopay settings to see which option is available.

What if I cannot pay my full bill by the due date?

Contact Illuminating Company before your due date to discuss a payment plan. Many utilities offer arrangements that let you spread past-due amounts over several months. You can also search for local utility information programs through 211 or your county social services office.

Is there a grace period after the due date?

Illuminating Company typically charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. There is no official grace period, though the company may not shut off service when ready. To avoid late fees and service interruption, pay by the due date.