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

Ways to pay your PECO bill

PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company) offers several ways to pay your electric and gas bill. You can pay online through your PECO account, by phone, by mail, in person at a payment center, or through automatic bank withdrawals. Each method has different timing and requirements, so the right choice depends on when you need to pay and how you prefer to handle the transaction.

PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation and serves customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Your bill arrives monthly and shows your usage, charges, and due date. Knowing your account number (found on your bill) makes payment faster regardless of which method you choose.

Key Takeaways

• Online payment through your PECO account is free and processes within one to two business days if you pay before the due date.
• Phone payments are available 24/7 by calling PECO's automated line, but you will need your account number and a debit or credit card.
• Mail payments should be sent at least 10 days before your due date to arrive on time, and you must include your account number on the check.
• Automatic bank withdrawals (AutoPay) eliminate the need to remember to pay each month and are free to set up through your PECO account.
• In-person payment at a PECO payment center or authorized retailer is an option if you prefer to pay with cash or a check without mailing.

Paying online through your PECO account

The online payment portal is the fastest and most direct way to pay. Log into your PECO account at peco.com using your username and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your account number (printed on your bill) and following the registration steps. Once logged in, select "Pay Bill" and enter the amount you want to pay.

You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. PECO does not charge a fee for debit or bank account payments, but credit card payments incur a processing fee (the amount varies by card type). Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day typically post within one business day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends may not post until the next business day.

If you are paying close to your due date, check the exact cutoff time on the payment screen. PECO considers a payment on time if it is received by 11:59 p.m. on the due date, but processing delays mean you should pay at least one business day early to be safe.

Paying by phone

PECO's automated phone payment system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-494-4000 and follow the prompts to pay your bill. You will need your account number and a debit or credit card. The system will confirm the amount and payment date before processing the transaction.

Phone payments are free when you use a debit card or bank account. Credit card payments incur the same processing fee as online payments. The payment posts within one to two business days, depending on when you call and the time of day. If you call after business hours, your payment may not process until the next business day.

If you prefer to speak with a representative instead of using the automated system, you can call PECO's customer service line during business hours (typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday). A representative can process your payment over the phone, though the fee structure remains the same.

Paying by mail

To pay by mail, write a check or money order payable to PECO and include it with your bill stub. The bill stub shows your account number and current balance. Mail your payment to the address printed on your bill — this address is the lockbox where PECO receives mailed payments, not a local office.

PECO recommends mailing your payment at least 10 days before the due date to account for postal delays. A payment is considered on time if PECO receives it by 11:59 p.m. on the due date, but mail typically takes five to seven business days. If you mail your payment fewer than 10 days before the due date, it may arrive late and result in a late fee.

Do not send cash by mail. If you do not have the bill stub, include your account number on the check itself so PECO can match the payment to your account. Keep a record of the check number and mailing date in case you need to verify the payment later.

Setting up automatic payments (AutoPay)

AutoPay withdraws your bill amount automatically from your bank account or debit card on a date you choose each month. Log into your PECO account, go to "Billing & Payment," and select "AutoPay." You can choose to pay the full bill amount or a fixed amount you set yourself.

AutoPay is free and eliminates the need to remember to pay each month. You can change or cancel AutoPay at any time through your account. If your bill amount varies (which is typical for electric and gas bills), you can set AutoPay to pay the full amount due each month, and PECO will adjust the withdrawal automatically.

Payments through AutoPay post on the date you select, usually within one business day. If you cancel AutoPay, you will need to pay future bills manually using one of the other methods. AutoPay does not affect your ability to make one-time payments if you need to pay early or pay extra toward your balance.

Paying in person at a PECO location or authorized retailer

PECO operates payment centers in Philadelphia and surrounding areas where you can pay in person with cash, check, or debit card. Locations and hours vary, so check peco.com for the nearest payment center and its hours before visiting. You will need your account number or bill to complete the payment.

Many authorized retailers (such as certain grocery stores and convenience stores) also accept PECO bill payments. These retailers typically accept cash and debit cards but may have different fee structures. Call PECO or check their website to find authorized retailers near you.

In-person payments are processed when ready, so your account is credited the same day. This method is useful if you prefer to pay with cash or want to may support your payment is received without mailing delays.

What happens if you miss your due date

If your payment does not arrive by 11:59 p.m. on the due date, PECO may charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee is shown on your bill and varies based on your account balance. Late fees are added to your next bill.

PECO may also suspend service if your account falls significantly behind. The company typically sends a disconnection notice before shutting off service, giving you time to pay or contact them about payment arrangements. If your service is disconnected, you will need to pay the outstanding balance plus a reconnection fee to restore service.

If you are having trouble paying your bill, contact PECO's customer service to discuss payment plans or other options. PECO offers budget billing (which spreads your annual costs into equal monthly payments) and hardship programs for customers facing financial difficulty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay my PECO bill online?

No fee applies if you pay with a debit card or bank account. Credit card payments incur a processing fee that varies by card type, typically between 2 and 3 percent of the payment amount. The fee is disclosed before you complete the transaction.

How long does it take for my payment to post after I pay online?

Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually post within one business day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends may take until the next business day. Always pay at least one business day before your due date to avoid late fees.

Can I pay my PECO bill with a credit card by phone?

Yes, you can pay with a credit card by calling 1-800-494-4000. A processing fee applies to credit card payments made by phone, just as it does for online payments. The fee is the same regardless of whether you use the automated system or speak with a representative.

What should I do if I want to pay by mail but my due date is soon?

If your due date is fewer than 10 days away, use online payment, phone payment, or in-person payment instead. Mail typically takes five to seven business days, so mailing a payment with less than 10 days until the due date risks a late fee. Online and phone payments post within one to two business days.

Can I set up AutoPay if my bill amount changes every month?

Yes. You can set AutoPay to pay the full bill amount due each month, and PECO will adjust the withdrawal automatically based on your usage. Alternatively, you can set a fixed amount and pay the difference manually if needed, though most customers choose to pay the full amount automatically.