The Easiest Ways to Pay Your Central Maine Power Bill

Paying your electricity bill on time every month is important to keep your lights on and avoid late fees. For Central Maine Power (CMP) customers, there are several convenient options to pay your bill In this article, we’ll walk through the easiest ways to pay your CMP bill online, by phone, by mail or in person

Paying Online

The quickest and easiest way to pay your CMP bill is online through the CMP website. Here are the steps:

1. Go to cmpcocom and click on “Pay Bill” at the top of the page This will take you to the payment portal,

2. Enter your 10-digit CMP account number and 4-digit PIN. These can be found on your monthly bill.

3. Select whether you want to pay the total amount due or enter a different payment amount.

4. Enter your payment information. You can pay with a checking/savings account, credit card or debit card.

5. Review the payment details and click “Continue” to submit.

Paying online is fast, easy and secure. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your payment details after it is successfully submitted. One thing I like about paying online is that you can view your payment history and set up recurring payments. It saves time each month.

Paying by Phone

If you prefer to speak with someone directly, you can pay your CMP bill by phone. Here are the steps:

1. Call CMP at 1-800-750-4000.

2. Select the “Pay by Phone” option.

3. Enter your 10-digit account number and 4-digit PIN when prompted.

4. Choose whether to pay the total amount due or a different amount.

5. Provide your credit card or debit card information.

A CMP representative will process your payment and provide a confirmation number at the end. One benefit of paying by phone is that you can ask any bill-related questions while making your payment. The main downside is having to wait on hold if call volumes are high.

Paying by Mail

Paying by mail is a traditional option that many people still use today. Here’s how it works:

1. Write a check or money order payable to Central Maine Power. Make sure your 10-digit account number is written clearly on the check.

2. Detach the payment stub from the bottom of your paper bill. Make sure your account number, amount paid and today’s date is filled in.

3. Place the payment stub and check/money order in an envelope. Mail to:

   Central Maine Power
   PO Box 847810
   Boston, MA 02284-7810

4. Allow 7-10 business days for your mailed payment to process.

The benefit of paying by mail is that you don’t need to provide any sensitive financial information online or over the phone. The drawback is that it takes more time for payments to process and clear compared to electronic payments. Make sure to mail your payment at least 7-10 days before the due date to avoid late fees.

Paying in Person

For customers who want to hand-deliver their payment, you can pay your CMP bill in person at an authorized pay station. Here are some tips:

• Locate an authorized pay station near you. Many are located inside grocery stores like Hannaford or pharmacies like Rite Aid.

• Bring your CMP bill with you so you have your account number.

• You can pay with cash, check, money order or credit/debit card.

• Get a receipt as proof of payment.

• Payments made at retail locations take 1-2 business days to post to your account.

Paying in person allows you to settle your bill on the spot. Just make sure to check pay station hours since some have limited hours.

Auto Pay and Budget Billing

For maximum convenience, consider enrolling in CMP’s auto pay or budget billing programs:

• Auto Pay: Your bill is paid automatically each month on the due date from your bank account or credit card. Sign up through your online account.

• Budget Billing: Get even monthly payments to make budgeting easier. Your account is reviewed every 3 months and the amount adjusted if needed. Enroll by calling CMP.

These programs make bill payment hassle-free so you can avoid late fees. Auto pay and budget billing gives you one less thing to worry about each month.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling to pay your CMP bill, find out if you qualify for payment assistance:

• Electricity Lifeline Program: Offers discounted rates to qualifying low-income customers.

• CARE/NDA Fund: Helps income eligible customers pay past-due utility bills.

• Arrearage Management Program (AMP): Helps make past-due balances more affordable with customized monthly payments.

Don’t ignore unpaid bills. Contact CMP as soon as possible to learn about available payment assistance options and avoid service disconnection.

Review Payment History Online

A great tool on the CMP website is the ability to review your payment history. Logging into your online account allows you to see:

• Past bills and payment amounts
• Payment processing dates
• Outstanding balances
• Payment sources (bank account, credit card, etc)

Reviewing your history makes it easy to double check payments and monitor your account balance over time. You can also view billing history for up to two years back.

Set Payment Reminders

It’s easy to forget your CMP bill when it comes around each month. Here are some tips to remember:

• Mark your due date on your calendar.
• Set a reminder on your phone or smart speaker.
• Schedule payments to process automatically.
• Follow CMP on social media for reminders.
• Sign up for bill reminders by text or email.

Setting payment reminders helps avoid late fees which are never fun. Your future self will thank you!

Understand Billing Cycles

CMP bills every customer around once per month. Your specific billing cycle depends on:

• Location – Customers are grouped by region.
• Meter reading schedule – Meters are read nearly every month.
• Weekends/holidays – Bills may be delayed if the due date falls on a non-business day.

The meter read date, bill date, and due date can vary from one month to the next. Your online account displays your exact billing schedule.

Knowing your personal billing cycle makes it easier to budget and remember when your bill is arriving each month.

Go Paperless

Enrolling in paperless billing can make bill pay faster, easier and more environmentally friendly. With paperless billing:

• Get bills delivered by email instead of mail.
• Access billing history conveniently online.
• Avoid clutter from paper bills piling up.
• Reduce paper waste and environmental impact.

You’ll still receive the same bill, just digitally instead of printed. Sign up for paperless through your CMP online account and do your part for the planet.

Pay Promptly to Establish Good Credit

Did you know consistently paying your CMP bill on time helps build your credit profile? Utility payments are often reported to credit bureaus.

Paying promptly demonstrates responsible bill management skills and improves your credit score over time. Setting up autopay is an easy way to ensure on-time payment each month.

A good credit score saves you money by qualifying for the best loan terms and rates down the road. Plus avoiding late fees keeps more money in your pocket.

Understand Billing Charges

Your CMP bill has two main charges:

• Delivery: This covers the cost of delivering electricity to your home, maintaining power lines and infrastructure, customer service, billing, and other operating expenses.

• Energy/Electricity Supply: This is the actual cost of the electricity you use each month. Supply rates fluctuate monthly based on energy market conditions.

Rates are regulated and set through a public process. Delivery rates are filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Your detailed bill breaks down both charges so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Set Up Service Reminders

The CMP website and mobile app allow you to set handy service reminders. You can get notified when:

• Your bill is past due to avoid late fees.
• Your payment is processed so you have peace of mind.
• New bills are generated to watch for it in your email.
• Estimated meter readings are used to prompt scheduling an actual read.

Receiving CMP service reminders through email, text and push notifications helps you stay on top of your account. Customize alerts to meet your needs.

Compare Electricity Suppliers

While CMP delivers your electricity, you have a choice on your electricity supplier. Comparing suppliers available in your area may help you find a lower supply rate to save money.

When weighing suppliers, look at:

• Rates per kWh
• Contract terms like cancellation fees
• Renewable