How to Pay Your PG&E Bill Online and by Mail

Where to pay your Pacific Gas and Electric bill

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) lets you pay your bill through their website at pge.com, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment center. The fastest route is their online bill pay portal, where you can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly payments. If you do not have internet access or prefer not to pay online, you can call their customer service line, mail a check, or visit a local payment location.

Your bill arrives by mail or email depending on your account settings. The due date is printed on the front of your bill, usually 21 days after the bill date. Payments made online typically post to your account within one business day. Mailed checks should arrive at least five business days before the due date to avoid a late fee.

Key Takeaways

• You can pay PG&E bills online at pge.com, by phone at 1-800-743-5000, by mail, or at a local payment center.
• Online payments usually post within one business day, while mailed checks need five business days to arrive and process.
• Setting up automatic monthly payments through the PG&E website removes the need to pay manually each month.
• If you cannot pay your full bill, PG&E offers payment plans and hardship programs for customers facing financial difficulty.

Logging into your PG&E account online

To pay online, go to pge.com and click "Log In" in the top right corner. Enter your account number (found on your bill) and password. If you do not have an online account yet, click "Create Account" and follow the prompts to set up a username and password.

You will need your account number, which is a nine-digit number printed on the front of your bill. You can also use the service address (the address where you receive service) to look up your account. If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the email instructions to reset it.

Once logged in, your account dashboard shows your current balance, due date, and payment history. You can view detailed usage information, set up budget billing, and manage your account settings from this page.

Making a one-time payment through the website

After logging in, click "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" on your account dashboard. Enter the amount you want to pay—you can pay the full balance or a partial amount. Select your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit or credit card.

If you choose bank account payment, you will enter your routing number and account number. This method is free and typically posts within one business day. Credit and debit card payments post when ready but may include a processing fee of around 2.5 percent, depending on the card type.

Review the payment details and confirm. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Keep this number for your records. The payment will show as pending until it posts to your account.

Setting up automatic monthly payments

Automatic payments remove the need to log in and pay each month. From your account dashboard, look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" and click to enroll. Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month—most customers choose a date shortly after they receive their bill.

You can set autopay to charge your full bill balance or a fixed amount each month. If you choose a fixed amount, you will still need to pay any remaining balance manually. Bank account payments are free; card payments may include a fee.

You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, you will return to manual payments, so mark your calendar to avoid missing a due date.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call PG&E customer service at 1-800-743-5000. A representative will take your account number and payment information. Phone payments by bank account are free; card payments may have a fee. The payment posts within one business day.

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to "Pacific Gas and Electric Company." Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your bill—do not mail it to the PG&E office address. Allow five to seven business days for delivery and processing.

You can also pay in person at a local PG&E payment center or authorized payment location. Visit pge.com and search "Payment Locations" to find the nearest office. Bring your bill or account number and cash, check, or card.

What to do if you cannot pay your full bill

If you are facing hardship, PG&E offers payment plans that let you spread your balance over several months. Contact customer service at 1-800-743-5000 to discuss a plan. You can also set up a payment arrangement online through your account dashboard under "Billing and Payments."

PG&E also has programs for low-income households, including the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which reduces your monthly bill. The Family Electric Rate Discount (FERD) program offers discounts for families with three or more people. You can learn about these programs on the PG&E website or by calling customer service.

If you are behind on payments, contact PG&E before your service is disconnected. They can discuss options with you and may delay disconnection while you arrange a payment plan.

Common payment mistakes to avoid

Do not mail your check to a PG&E office address—use only the payment address on your bill. Checks sent to the wrong address will be delayed or returned. If you are unsure, call customer service to confirm the correct mailing address.

When paying online, double-check the amount before confirming. Overpayments will show as a credit on your next bill, but underpayments may result in a late fee if they do not cover the full amount due. If you set up autopay, verify the payment date does not fall on a weekend or holiday, which could delay posting.

Keep your confirmation number and payment receipt for at least one billing cycle. If a payment does not post within the expected timeframe, you can use the confirmation number to track it down with customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bank account payments (ACH) usually post within one business day. Credit and debit card payments post when ready, though the charge may take a day or two to appear on your card statement. Mailed checks take five to seven business days to arrive and process.

Can I pay my PG&E bill with a credit card online?

Yes, you can pay with a credit or debit card through pge.com. A processing fee of around 2.5 percent applies to card payments. Bank account payments are free and are often faster.

What if I pay late—will I get a late fee?

PG&E charges a late fee if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill. The fee amount varies but is typically a percentage of your balance. If you are going to be late, contact customer service to discuss a payment plan before the due date passes.

Can I change my autopay date if it falls on a weekend?

Yes, you can change your autopay date anytime through your account settings. If the date you chose falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment may process on the next business day. You can select a different date to avoid this.

Is there a way to lower my monthly bill if I cannot afford it?

PG&E offers the CARE and FERD programs for may have access to households, which reduce your monthly bill. You can also contact customer service about payment plans, budget billing, or energy-saving programs that may lower your usage and future bills.