Understanding Your PECO Energy Bill

PECO Energy Company serves over 1.6 million customers across southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Your monthly bill reflects the electricity and natural gas you use, plus various charges and adjustments. Understanding how your bill breaks down can help you make informed decisions about your energy use and payment options.

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A typical PECO bill includes several key components. The supply charge covers the cost of the electricity or natural gas itself. The delivery charge pays for maintaining the infrastructure—poles, wires, pipes, and equipment—that brings energy to your home. Taxes are added on top of these charges and vary by location. Many bills also show demand charges, seasonal adjustments, and any credits you may have received from previous payments or programs.

Your bill typically shows usage measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for electricity and therms for natural gas. One kilowatt-hour equals the energy used by a 100-watt lightbulb running for 10 hours. One therm equals approximately 100 cubic feet of natural gas. These measurements help you track consumption patterns over time. Most bills display your current usage compared to the same month last year, which can reveal whether your energy consumption is increasing or decreasing.

Reading your bill carefully each month matters because it helps you spot unusual charges, verify meter readings, and understand where your money goes. The bill also contains contact information for customer service, payment due dates, and information about available programs. Some bills include notices about payment assistance programs or energy-saving resources that PECO customers may explore.

Practical Takeaway: Review your PECO bill line by line each month. Note the meter reading, usage amount, and total charges. Compare this month's usage to previous months to identify patterns or unexpected increases. Keep copies of your bills for your records.

Payment Methods and Options Available Through PECO

PECO offers multiple ways to pay your bill, and knowing your options helps you choose what works best for your situation. The payment method you select can affect convenience, timing, and how quickly PECO records your payment. Most payment methods are available year-round without additional fees.

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Online payment through the PECO website or mobile app is one of the most popular methods. You can schedule one-time payments or set up automatic recurring payments. The online system shows your account balance, payment history, and billing dates. No fee applies for standard online payments made through the official PECO website. The mobile app provides similar functionality and works on both iOS and Android devices. Payments typically process within one to two business days when submitted during business hours.

Phone payment allows you to pay over the telephone by calling PECO's customer service line at 1-800-494-4000. An automated system guides you through the payment process, or you can speak with a representative. Phone payments are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. PECO does not charge a fee for phone payments. You'll need your account number and a valid payment method, such as a checking account or credit card.

Mail payment remains an option for customers who prefer sending a check or money order. Include your bill stub or account number with your payment. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to process after PECO receives them. Send payments to the address shown on your bill. This method requires planning ahead to ensure payment arrives before the due date.

In-person payment locations include PECO payment centers and authorized third-party locations throughout the service area. Some grocery stores, check-cashing services, and other retailers accept PECO payments in cash or check. Call customer service to find the nearest payment location. In-person payments typically process the same day or next business day.

Automatic payment setup, called budget billing or automatic bill payment, deducts your payment from a bank account on a set date each month. This method reduces the risk of late payments and provides consistency in your payment schedule. You can modify or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account settings.

Practical Takeaway: Choose a payment method that fits your routine. If you tend to forget due dates, set up automatic payments. If you prefer tracking expenses manually, online one-time payments offer flexibility. Always save your payment confirmation number for your records.

Understanding Payment Assistance Programs and Resources

Customers facing financial hardship have several resources to learn about. PECO and partner organizations provide information about programs designed to help households manage energy costs. These programs have specific requirements, and understanding what they involve helps you determine whether to explore them further.

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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded initiative administered by Pennsylvania and New Jersey. LIHEAP provides one-time monetary assistance toward heating or cooling bills for households meeting income guidelines. The program year typically runs from November through March, though some states extend assistance into spring. Assistance amounts vary based on income, household size, and energy costs. To learn about LIHEAP, visit your state's website or contact your local community action agency. Many agencies provide outreach during winter months when heating needs peak.

PECO's Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) offer information about bill payment plans and energy conservation resources. Customers can contact PECO directly to discuss their situation and learn what support options may be available. PECO representatives can explain hardship programs, budget billing arrangements, and referrals to community organizations. These conversations happen confidentially, and PECO does not disconnect service for non-payment during active negotiations about payment arrangements.

Community action agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey operate throughout both states. These organizations connect residents with energy assistance, weatherization services, and other support. Many provide in-person assistance and can discuss programs in your native language. Search online for "community action agency" plus your county name to find local offices. Staff can explain what information and documents you may need if you wish to explore assistance programs.

Dollar Energy Fund is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that provides emergency bill payment assistance during winter months. The organization uses donations to help households at risk of disconnection. Applications are processed from November through March. Information about Dollar Energy is available through community action agencies, PECO customer service, or directly on their website.

Weatherization assistance programs help reduce energy consumption by improving home insulation, fixing air leaks, and upgrading heating systems. Lower energy use means lower bills. These programs are free or low-cost for income-qualifying households. Your local community action agency administers the federal Weatherization Assistance Program and can describe what services are available in your area.

Practical Takeaway: Contact your local community action agency to learn what programs operate in your area and what information you would need to provide if interested. Save contact information for future reference. Ask about both immediate bill assistance and long-term energy-saving programs.

Steps to Take When Your PECO Bill Seems Incorrect

Sometimes a bill appears unusually high, contains confusing charges, or shows a meter reading that doesn't match your expectations. Taking specific steps helps you address these concerns systematically. PECO has a process for reviewing bills and investigating potential errors.

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First, compare your current bill to previous bills from the same time last year. A significantly higher bill might simply reflect increased usage due to weather or lifestyle changes. However, if usage appears consistent but charges are higher, this could indicate a rate change or new fee. The bill should explain any rate adjustments or new charges. If the explanation is unclear, write down your question to ask customer service.

Second, check the meter reading on your bill. If you have access to your meter, note the current reading and compare it to what appears on your bill. Meters sometimes malfunction or misread, though this is rare. If your reading differs significantly from PECO's reported reading, contact customer service with your reading and the date you checked it. Keep a record of meter readings you check yourself for comparison.

Third, review charges line by line. Look for items you don't recognize, duplicate charges, or amounts that seem inconsistent with previous months. The bill typically includes explanations for each charge type. If a charge lacks explanation or you don't understand it, note the specific line item and amount when calling customer service.

Fourth, contact PECO customer service to discuss your concerns. Call 1-800-494-4000 and explain which aspect of the bill you're questioning. Have your bill available when you call. Provide specific meter readings, charge amounts, and dates. A representative can review your account history, explain charges, and investigate if you believe an error occurred. If PECO finds an error, they adjust your bill. If no error is