How to Pay Your CenterPoint Energy Bill

CenterPoint Energy bill payment methods and where to send payments

CenterPoint Energy operates natural gas and electric utilities across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, and Oklahoma. To pay your bill, you can use their website, phone line, automatic bank draft, mail, or in-person payment at authorized locations. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment processed and whether you want to set up recurring payments.

Your bill shows a due date, typically 20 to 25 days after the bill date. Payments received by that date avoid a late fee. If you pay online or by phone, the payment posts within one to two business days. Mailed checks take longer — CenterPoint recommends mailing at least 10 business days before the due date to account for postal delivery time.

Key Takeaways

• CenterPoint's website and phone line (1-713-207-2700 for Texas; numbers vary by state) both process payments when ready, though posting to your account takes one to two business days.
• Automatic bank draft from your checking or savings account removes the risk of late payment and requires you to set it up once through your CenterPoint account.
• Mailed payments should be sent at least 10 business days before your due date, and you must include your account number on the check or payment stub.
• Late fees explore if payment is not received by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of when you initiated the payment.
• In-person payment locations vary by service area; call CenterPoint or check your bill for authorized payment centers near you.

Paying online through the CenterPoint website or mobile app

Visit centerpoint.com and log into your account using your account number and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your account number and the amount of your last bill. Once logged in, select "Pay My Bill" and enter the amount you want to pay.

You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Credit and debit card payments incur a convenience fee (the amount varies and displays before you confirm). Bank account payments have no fee. The payment is processed when ready, but it may take one to two business days to appear on your account and stop interest from accruing.

CenterPoint also offers a mobile app available on iOS and Android. The payment process is the same as the website. You can set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments for the same date each month or billing cycle.

Paying by phone

Call CenterPoint's automated payment line or speak to a representative. The phone number depends on your service area: Texas customers call 1-713-207-2700, Arkansas and Louisiana customers call 1-877-411-7343, Indiana customers call 1-877-411-7343, and Oklahoma customers call 1-877-411-7343. Have your account number and payment method ready.

Automated phone payments process when ready and do not charge a convenience fee. If you speak to a representative, they can also help you set up automatic payments or answer questions about your bill. Phone payments are posted within one to two business days.

Setting up automatic bank draft payments

Automatic bank draft (also called autopay or recurring payment) withdraws money directly from your checking or savings account on a date you choose. This method has no convenience fee and removes the risk of forgetting to pay or mailing a check late.

To set up automatic payments, log into your CenterPoint account online, call the payment line, or visit a payment center. You will need to provide your bank routing number and account number. You can choose to pay the full bill amount, a fixed amount, or the minimum due. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account or by calling CenterPoint.

Automatic payments typically process on the date you select, though CenterPoint recommends choosing a date at least five business days after your bill date to may support the bill amount is finalized. If you cancel automatic payments, you remain responsible for paying by the due date through another method.

Mailing a check or money order

Write your account number on the check or money order. Include the payment stub from your bill if possible — it has your account number printed on it. Mail your payment to the address shown on your bill. CenterPoint recommends mailing at least 10 business days before the due date.

Payments are considered received on the date CenterPoint receives them, not the date you mail them. If your payment arrives after the due date, a late fee will be charged even if you mailed it on time. Keep a record of the check number and mailing date for your records.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you need to pay in cash, use an in-person payment location or call CenterPoint to find authorized payment centers in your area.

In-person payment locations

CenterPoint accepts in-person payments at authorized payment centers in each service area. These may include utility offices, check-cashing services, or retail locations. Bring your bill or account number and the payment amount in cash, check, or money order.

Payment center locations and hours vary by service area. Check your bill for a nearby location, call CenterPoint's customer service line, or visit centerpoint.com to find payment centers near you. In-person payments are typically posted to your account within one to two business days.

What happens if you miss the due date

If payment is not received by the due date on your bill, CenterPoint charges a late fee. The amount of the late fee is shown on your bill and varies by service area. Late fees are added to your next bill.

If you are more than 30 days late, CenterPoint may disconnect your service. Before disconnection, you will receive a notice with a important date to pay or contact CenterPoint to arrange a payment plan. If your service is disconnected, you will owe a reconnection fee in addition to the unpaid balance and late fees.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact CenterPoint when ready. They may be able to set up a payment plan or discuss other options. Some areas also have programs for customers with financial hardship — call to ask about programs in your service area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online, phone, and in-person payments typically post within one to two business days. Mailed checks take longer because of postal delivery time — CenterPoint recommends mailing at least 10 business days before your due date. Automatic bank draft payments post on the date you select.

Can I pay my CenterPoint bill through a third-party payment service?

CenterPoint does not recommend paying through third-party services, as these payments may not post correctly or on time. Pay directly through CenterPoint's website, phone line, mail, or authorized payment centers to may support your payment is credited properly and on time.

What if I pay online with a credit card — will I be charged a fee?

Yes, credit card and debit card payments through CenterPoint's website or phone line incur a convenience fee. The fee amount is shown before you confirm the payment. Bank account payments have no fee. You can avoid the fee by paying with automatic bank draft, mail, or in-person payment.

Can I set up automatic payments for just one month, or does it have to be ongoing?

You can schedule a one-time payment for a specific date through CenterPoint's website or phone line without setting up recurring automatic payments. If you set up recurring automatic payments, you can cancel or change them at any time through your account or by calling CenterPoint.

What should I do if my check gets lost in the mail?

If your mailed payment does not appear on your account within 15 business days, contact CenterPoint with the check number and mailing date. They can investigate whether the payment was received. If the check was lost, you may need to stop payment on the original check and send a new payment to avoid a late fee.