Can You Pay Your Eversource Bill With a Credit Card?

When it’s time to pay your monthly Eversource bill for electricity, natural gas, water or steam, using a credit card seems like the obvious choice. You can rack up rewards points while keeping your utility payments on track However, Eversource does not actually accept direct credit card payments for residential accounts

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain Eversource’s payment policies, your credit card options, fees involved, and tips for managing your utility payments smoothly.

Overview of Paying Eversource Bills

Eversource offers the following ways to pay your utility bill

• Automatic bank account withdrawals
• One-time bank account (checking/savings) payments
• Cash payments in person at authorized agents
• Check or money order by mail
• Calling Eversource’s automated phone payment line

Eversource does not accept direct credit card payments for residential bills. The website may show credit card logos, but those refer to integrated third party services that charge processing fees.

Below I’ll explain why Eversource avoids direct credit card transactions, and the workarounds that allow you to still use your credit card and earn rewards.

Why Eversource Doesn’t Take Credit Cards Directly

While credit cards provide a convenient online payment option, most utility companies like Eversource do not accept them directly from customers. There are a few key reasons behind this policy:

• High processing fees – Credit card companies charge a transaction fee, usually 1.5-3% of the total payment. These fees can really add up and drive up operating costs.

• Risk of fraud/ reversed charges – There is greater fraud and identity theft risk with credit card payments. If charges are later reversed, the utility often cannot recover the funds.

• Customer impact – Laws prohibit utilities from passing on the credit card fees only to those card-paying customers. So the costs get spread to all customers.

• Reliable collection – Bank account payments have much lower failure/reverse rates compared to credit card transactions. This ensures steady cash flow for utilities.

So while less convenient for customers, avoiding direct credit card payments helps keep Eversource’s rates as low as possible.

Paying Eversource With a Credit Card Via Third Parties

Despite not taking direct credit card payments, Eversource does allow third party services to accept your card information and pay your utility bill. The main options are:

• Plastiq – Lets you use any credit card then sends Eversource a guaranteed funds transfer. Charges a 2.5% processing fee.

• Paymentus – Eversource’s authorized credit card processor. Provides guaranteed funds transfer for a $2.95 transaction fee.

• DoXo – Links to your Eversource account for one-time or auto credit card payments. Charges a flat $1.99 per transaction.

These third parties take your credit card info, charge your card the billed amount plus their fee, then send a verified funds transfer or check to Eversource on your behalf.

This workaround allows customers to still earn credit card rewards and points while covering the processing costs separately. Eversource avoids absorbing the direct credit card fees.

Credit Card Fees to Expect

When using a third party payment service to pay by credit card, expect to pay:

• Plastiq – 2.5% of the payment amount
• Paymentus – Flat $2.95 per transaction
• DoXo – Flat $1.99 per transaction

So on a $100 Eversource bill via Plastiq, you would pay $102.50 total ($100 bill + $2.50 fee). The exact fee depends on the processor.

These third party services also typically have monthly limits, like $5,000 per month via DoXo. So large bulk payments may not be possible.

Tips for Paying Your Eversource Bill

Here are some tips for smoothly managing your Eversource account and payments:

• Go paperless billing to get statements directly via email

• Sign up for autopay from your bank account to set and forget payments

• Pay a few days early to avoid any processing delays

• Closely monitor your usage metrics through your online account

• Use budget billing to even out season utility cost spikes

• Leverage payment plans if you ever fall behind

• Update payment details right away if your card number changes

And if you want to use a credit card, just pick a third party processor like Plastiq or DoXo to accept your card info and pay Eversource for a small fee.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Disruption

It’s crucial to pay your Eversource utility bills in full and on time every month. Late payments can lead to:

• Late payment fees of 1.5%
• Disconnection warning notice after 30 days
• Shut off of services after 45+ days overdue

Set payment reminders and consider autopay or recurring credit card payments through a provider like Paymentus to avoid lapses. Keep your electric, natural gas, water, and steam running!

Eversource – No Direct Credit Card Payments

Eversource limits direct payment options to control costs, but bill pay services like Plastiq bridge the credit card gap. For a processing fee, they accept your card information then transmit the payment securely to Eversource. This allows credit card convenience while keeping your utilities on.

Just remember Eversource itself does not take credit card payments online or otherwise. You must use a third party processor that provides a bank transfer or check to Eversource on your behalf. With autopay set up via your provider of choice, you can rack up points without worry of late electric, gas or water bills!