Free Guide to Paying Your Piedmont Natural Gas Bill

Understanding Your Piedmont Natural Gas Bill

Your Piedmont Natural Gas bill arrives monthly and contains several key pieces of information that tell you how much you owe and what you're paying for. Understanding what appears on your bill is the first step toward managing your account effectively. The bill shows your account number, billing period, the amount of natural gas you used, and the total charges you owe.

Learn About Dental Implant Options and Procedures →

Piedmont Natural Gas serves customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The company measures gas usage in therms, which is a unit of heat energy. One therm equals about 100 cubic feet of natural gas. Your bill shows how many therms your household consumed during the billing period, typically 30 days. This usage number directly affects your charges.

Bills typically break down into several components. You'll see a customer charge, which is a fixed fee everyone pays monthly. Then there's the gas charge, which varies based on how much you actually used. Some bills also include adjustment factors that reflect changes in commodity costs or regulatory adjustments. During winter months, most households use significantly more gas for heating, so your bill will be higher than during warmer months. Summer bills may only reflect gas used for water heating and cooking.

The payment amount shown on your bill is what you owe for that billing period. This is different from your previous balance or any balance-forward amounts. If you've paid previous bills on time, your current bill should show only the current month's charges. Bills arrive monthly, and you typically have about 20-30 days from the bill date to make payment without incurring late fees.

Takeaway: Before you can pay your bill, take time to review its contents. Check the billing period dates, your usage in therms, and the total amount due. Knowing what you're paying for helps you spot errors and understand why your bill changes seasonally.

Payment Methods Available Through Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas offers several ways to pay your bill, and choosing the right method depends on your preference and circumstances. The company has expanded payment options over recent years to make it more convenient for customers to stay current on their accounts. You can pay by phone, online, by mail, or in person at payment centers.

Your Free Guide to Vaginal Itching Causes and Relief →

Online payment through the company's website is one of the most popular methods. You can visit piedmontng.com and set up an account if you haven't already. From your account dashboard, you can view your bill, see your payment history, and pay immediately using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. Online payment typically processes within one to two business days. This method works 24/7, so you can pay at any time that suits your schedule, even outside normal business hours.

Paying by phone is another direct method. You can call Piedmont Natural Gas's payment line and speak with a representative or use their automated phone system. The phone number for payments is typically listed on your bill. When you pay by phone using a debit or credit card, the payment usually processes the same day or next business day. Some customers prefer this method because they can ask questions about their bill while making payment.

Bank account payments, sometimes called automatic bank draft or autopay, allow you to authorize Piedmont Natural Gas to withdraw your payment automatically each month on a date you choose. This method requires you to provide your checking or savings account information. Once set up, you don't have to remember to pay each month—the payment happens automatically. You can still view your bill online and monitor the payments being deducted.

Mailing a check or money order is a traditional method that still works. You would send your payment to the address listed on your bill. When paying by mail, write your account number on the check and allow 7-10 business days for the payment to reach the company and be processed. This method is slower than others, so if your bill is due soon, mailing a payment may cause it to arrive late.

In-person payment at authorized payment centers or company offices is an option in some areas. You can bring cash, check, or debit card to these locations. Call the company's main number to find payment centers near you. This method provides immediate confirmation of payment and can be useful if you prefer handling transactions in person.

Takeaway: Online and phone payments are the fastest methods, processing within 1-2 business days. If you want to avoid thinking about monthly payments, set up autopay through your bank account. For time-sensitive payments due within days, avoid mailing checks.

Setting Up and Managing Your Online Account

Creating an online account with Piedmont Natural Gas gives you control over your billing and payment information from your computer or phone. An online account lets you view bills before they arrive by mail, check your usage patterns, make payments instantly, and update your contact information. Most customers find that having an account set up saves time compared to paying by phone or mail each month.

Learn How to Turn Off Voice Control on Devices →

To set up an online account, go to piedmontng.com and look for the "Create Account" or "Register" option. You'll need your account number, which appears on any bill you've received. The account number is typically a series of digits unique to your service address. You'll also need your service address to match what's on file with the company. During registration, you'll create a username and password. Choose a password that's difficult to guess but that you can remember.

Once your account is created, you can log in anytime to view your current and past bills. The online account shows your billing history, often going back 12-24 months. This historical information helps you see patterns in your usage. For example, you might notice that your January bill is always two to three times higher than your July bill because of winter heating needs. Understanding these patterns helps you budget for months when bills are higher.

Your online account also displays your current balance. If you've paid your most recent bill, this should show zero. If there's an outstanding balance from a previous period, it will appear here. Some accounts show a projected next bill amount, which is an estimate based on current usage and seasonal adjustments. This projection helps you anticipate what your bill might be when it's officially calculated.

You can update payment information in your online account without calling the company. If your mailing address changes, your phone number changes, or you want to update the email address where billing statements are sent, you can make these changes yourself. Some accounts offer paperless billing, which means you receive an email notification when your bill is ready to view online instead of receiving a paper bill by mail. This reduces clutter and ensures you don't miss bills sent to an old address.

Your account settings typically include an option to set up payment reminders. You can choose to receive an email or text message when your bill is due. These reminders help prevent late payments, especially if you're managing multiple bills. You can also view your payment history to see confirmation of each payment you've made, including the date and amount.

Takeaway: Setting up an online account takes about 10 minutes and gives you instant access to your bills and payment history. Use the historical data to understand your seasonal usage patterns and budget accordingly. Enable payment reminders to avoid late fees.

Payment Due Dates and Late Payment Consequences

Your Piedmont Natural Gas bill includes a due date, typically 20-30 days after the bill date. This due date is the deadline by which you should pay to avoid late fees and service interruption risks. The bill date and due date both appear on your statement. It's important to know the difference: the bill date is when the company calculated your charges, while the due date is when payment is expected.

Learn About Stopping Nightmares and Better Sleep →

Piedmont Natural Gas typically allows a grace period of a few days after the due date before applying a late fee. However, the specific grace period varies, and it's listed in your account agreement or on your bill. To be safe, try to pay by the due date shown on your bill rather than assuming a grace period applies. If you pay after the due date, a late fee will likely be added to your account. Late fees are typically a percentage of your bill amount, often around 1-2% of the total due.

If your account becomes significantly overdue, Piedmont Natural Gas may shut off your service. The company is required to provide notice before disconnecting service, usually at least 10-14 days' notice. The notice explains why service may be disconnected and what actions you can take to prevent it. In most cases, paying the overdue amount or reaching an agreement with the company will prevent disconnection. Service reconnection, if it occurs, typically requires a reconnection fee on top of your overdue balance.