Your Guide to Paying Your PECO Bill

Understanding Your PECO Bill: What You're Actually Paying For

Your PECO (Philadelphia Electric Company) bill contains several different charges that work together to determine your total amount due. Understanding what each line item means helps you see where your money goes and identify ways to manage your energy costs. PECO serves more than 1.6 million customers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, making it one of the region's largest utility providers.

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The main component of your bill is the energy charge, which reflects the actual electricity you consumed during the billing period. PECO measures this usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kilowatt-hour equals the energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance running for one hour. Your meter records this consumption, and the rate you pay per kWh depends on your service plan and current rates set by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Beyond the energy charge, your bill includes distribution charges. These costs cover the maintenance and operation of the poles, wires, and infrastructure that bring electricity to your home. Even if you use no electricity one month, you would still owe a basic distribution charge because the utility must maintain these systems for you to receive service.

Additional line items on your bill may include:

• Transmission charges for moving power across long distances
• Supplier charges if you participate in a competitive energy program
• Taxes (state and local sales tax on your energy charges)
• Surcharges for system improvements or environmental programs
• Customer service and metering fees

Practical takeaway: Gather your last three PECO bills and circle each charge type. This visual breakdown helps you understand what portions of your bill are fixed costs (that you pay regardless of usage) versus variable costs (that change based on consumption). Knowing this distinction helps you focus energy-saving efforts on the areas that will actually reduce your bill.

Payment Methods: How to Pay Your PECO Bill

PECO offers multiple ways to pay your bill, each with its own advantages depending on your preferences and circumstances. Most people choose a method based on convenience, whether they want to avoid late fees, or if they prefer automatic payments.

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Online payment through the PECO website (peco.com) is one of the fastest methods. You can log into your account and pay immediately using a bank account or debit card. This method typically processes within one to two business days. The website shows you your current balance, previous payments, and payment history all in one place. You can also set up one-time payments or schedule recurring payments for specific dates each month.

AutoPay is PECO's automatic payment program where funds are withdrawn from your bank account on a date you choose each month. Enrolling in AutoPay often qualifies you for a small discount on your bill—typically $0.50 to $1.00 per month—though this varies. AutoPay eliminates the risk of forgetting to pay and helps you avoid late fees entirely. You can change or cancel AutoPay at any time.

Phone payment lets you pay by calling PECO's customer service at 1-800-494-4000. An automated system accepts payment information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Payments made before 8 p.m. on business days typically post the same day. You will need your account number and a debit card or bank account information ready when you call.

Mail payment remains available for those who prefer traditional methods. You can mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill. Allow 5-7 business days for your payment to arrive and be processed. Include your account number on the check itself, not just the envelope, so your payment reaches the correct account if separated from the envelope.

In-person payment locations exist throughout PECO's service area at various authorized payment centers. These locations accept cash, checks, and card payments. You can find the nearest location by visiting peco.com or calling customer service.

Practical takeaway: Choose your primary payment method based on three factors: (1) How much time you have before your due date, (2) Whether you want automatic payments or prefer manual control, and (3) If you want to save money through AutoPay discounts. Set a calendar reminder for two days before your due date if you pay manually, giving yourself a buffer in case of delays.

Reading Your Bill: Breaking Down Each Section

Your PECO bill is organized into sections that tell you important information about your account and charges. Learning to read these sections helps you spot errors, understand your usage patterns, and catch unusual charges.

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The account information section appears at the top and includes your name, address, account number, and service period dates. The service period typically spans 30-31 days and shows when your meter was last read. This section also displays your due date and any past-due amounts from previous billing periods.

The usage section shows your current month's kilowatt-hours consumed and compares it to your usage from the same month last year. For example, if your air conditioning runs heavily in summer, your July usage will likely be much higher than your January usage. This comparison helps you identify whether your current month was unusually high or low. PECO measures consumption in kilowatt-hours, and the bill shows both your daily average usage and total usage for the period.

The charges section breaks down all costs line by line. The energy charge (sometimes called the supply charge) is your largest cost in most months. You calculate this by multiplying your kilowatt-hours used by the per-kWh rate. Distribution charges are typically fixed, meaning they don't change based on usage. Look for any special charges or surcharges that appear only occasionally.

The summary section totals all charges and shows:

• Previous balance (what you owed at the end of last month)
• Payments received (credits from payments you made)
• Current charges (this month's costs)
• Current amount due (what you owe now)
• Due date (by when PECO needs your payment)

Some bills include a graph showing your 12-month usage trend. This visual representation helps you see seasonal patterns and identify months where your consumption was higher or lower than usual. A sudden spike might indicate an appliance problem or change in your usage habits.

The back or online account portal usually contains information about your payment history, any active programs you're enrolled in, and company notices about rate changes or service updates.

Practical takeaway: When you receive your bill, spend five minutes comparing the current month to last year's same month. If usage is significantly higher than expected, investigate potential causes like broken weatherstripping, an aging refrigerator, or increased heating/cooling needs. If you spot charges that seem wrong, write down the specific line item and amount, then contact PECO's customer service with these details.

Due Dates, Late Fees, and What Happens If You Can't Pay

Your PECO bill has a specific due date, typically 20-25 days from the bill date. Paying by this date keeps your account in good standing and avoids late fees. The exact due date appears on your bill, and PECO counts due dates carefully—a payment must arrive by end of business on the due date to be considered on time.

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If payment doesn't arrive by the due date, PECO charges a late fee. As of recent years, this fee is typically around $15 to $20, though the exact amount may vary. Late fees are added to your balance, increasing what you owe. Additionally, a late payment is reported to credit bureaus, which can negatively affect your credit score if it remains unpaid for 30 days or more.

If your account becomes significantly past due, PECO may initiate a disconnection process. Before physically disconnecting service, PECO must send you written notice stating the amount owed and a deadline to pay or contact them. This notice period gives you time to make arrangements. Pennsylvania regulations require PECO to provide at least 10 days' notice before disconnection, except in cases of fraud or tampering.

If you're struggling to pay your bill, PECO offers several options before disconnection occurs:

• Payment arrangements: PECO can establish a plan where you pay