Streamlining Bill Payment with The Energy Coop

Paying your utility bills can feel like a chore – searching for the bill, writing a check, finding a stamp, and getting it in the mail. It takes time and effort each month. But technology has made paying bills faster and easier than ever before. The Energy Coop offers their members modern bill pay options to simplify this routine task.

The Energy Coop serves over 20000 homes and businesses with electric natural gas, propane, and high-speed internet services across central Ohio. As a customer-owned cooperative, they strive to provide affordable rates and exceptional service to their member-owners. That dedication extends to the billing and payment process. The Energy Coop offers their members multiple ways to view and pay their bill conveniently.

Pay Online via SmartHub

The Energy Coop’s online account management system, SmartHub, allows members to easily pay their bill electronically. After creating a free SmartHub account, members can log in on a computer or via the SmartHub mobile app. Within SmartHub, you can view your current charges, see past billing history, monitor energy use, and make a payment.

SmartHub offers several payment options:

• Credit/debit card – Pay immediately by entering your card details. Visa MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards are accepted.

• Electronic check – Provide your bank routing and account numbers to draft the payment directly from your checking account

• Stored payment methods – Save your payment information securely in SmartHub to quickly process future payments.

• AutoPay – Set up recurring automatic payments from a stored card or bank account. Your bill is paid on its due date without any effort on your part.

SmartHub payments are fast, easy, and secure. The system is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant to protect your financial data. Payments made before 11:59 pm will typically process to your account the next business day.

Pay by Phone

For members who prefer to speak to someone directly, The Energy Coop allows payment by phone during business hours. Call 740-344-2102 and select option 2 to access the automated payment system. It accepts electronic checks and major credit/debit cards. This system is also PCI compliant for your security.

Mail In Your Payment

If you choose to pay your Energy Coop bill by check or money order through the mail, you have a couple options:

• Send your payment to the PO box address printed on your bill. Enclose the payment slip from your bill or write your account number on the check.

• Drop off your payment at The Energy Coop’s drive-thru office during business hours. Their main office is located at 1500 Granville Rd, Newark, OH 43055.

The Energy Coop also has two after-hours drop boxes where you can leave your payment – one outside their Newark office and one at the Utica Service Center at 11339 Mt. Vernon Rd.

Mailed payments must be received by the due date to avoid late fees. Allow 3-5 business days for standard mail delivery.

Pay in Person

You can visit The Energy Coop’s office in Newark to pay your utility bill in person. Their drive-thru window is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm. A member service representative can take your payment and answer any questions you have.

For added convenience, The Energy Coop has an automated self-service kiosk in their Newark lobby. The kiosk accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit payments and provides instant payment receipts. No need to wait in line!

Understand Your Energy Coop Bill

Before paying your utility bill, it’s a good idea to review the charges and confirm the amount due. Your Energy Coop bill provides detailed information to help you understand what you’re paying for. Here are some key sections to check on your monthly statement:

• Account Summary – This box shows your previous balance, any payments received, your total new charges for the month, and the current amount due.

• Message Center – Look here for important notices regarding your account, rates, or cooperative news.

• Meter Readings – Your statement lists meter readings from the start and end of the billing period for tracking usage. Compare them to gauge energy consumption month-to-month.

• Charges – This breakdown shows your total electric, gas, propane, and/or internet charges for the billing period.

• Usage History – Charts and graphs illustrate your energy usage over the past 13 months to identify trends.

• Account Transactions – Review a list of all payments, charges, fees, etc. posted to your account during the billing period.

• Billing Summaries – Compare your current charges in each category to the previous month and same month last year.

Closely monitoring your utility usage and bill charges will help you catch any billing errors. You can contact The Energy Coop if you have questions about specific fees or usage spikes.

Manage Your Account with SmartHub

In addition to bill payment, SmartHub provides other useful account management features:

• Usage monitoring – Track your daily electric and gas usage compared to weather patterns and previous days.

• Alert notifications – Get email or text alerts for things like due date reminders, past due notices, high usage, and payment confirmations.

• Outage information – View current electric outages on a map and get updates on estimated restoration times.

• Paperless billing – Opt out of mailed paper statements and access your bills electronically.

• Contact customer service – Submit questions directly to The Energy Coop’s member services team through SmartHub.

• Energy savings tips – Discover ways to reduce your energy consumption and lower your monthly bills.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to pay your Energy Coop bill on time, contact their office to ask about bill payment assistance programs. Options may include:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a payment plan to pay your outstanding balance over multiple months.

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal grants to help pay heating bills.

• EAP – Emergency Assistance Program offers one-time assistance for customers facing disconnection.

• PIPP – Percentage of Income Payment Plan allows you to pay a budgeted amount based on your income.

The Energy Coop wants to help their members maintain continuous utility service. Reach out for help to prevent disconnection.

Opt Out of Round Up Program

The Energy Coop’s Operation Round Up program rounds your bill up to the next dollar, with the extra change going to charitable causes. If you wish to opt out of contributing:

• Select “Opt Out” on the Round Up section of your online SmartHub account.

• Call 740-344-2102 to inform member services you want to stop participating.

• Mail in an opt out letter with your account number to 1500 Granville Rd, Newark, OH 43055.

Once opted out, your bill will no longer be rounded up each month. You can opt back in at any time if you wish to resume contributing to Operation Round Up.

Paying Your Energy Coop Bill is Fast and Easy

The Energy Coop offers multiple options for checking and paying your electric, natural gas, propane, and internet bill. SmartHub, phone, mail, and in-person payments allow you to choose the most convenient method that fits your needs. Carefully reviewing your monthly charges will help you monitor your energy use and ensure accuracy. If payment ever becomes an issue, assistance programs are available to Coop members in need. Paying your bill doesn’t have to be a hassle each month with The Energy Coop’s modern payment solutions.