Simplifying Bill Payment with The Energy Coop

Paying your utility bills shouldn’t be a complicated or frustrating process. The Energy Coop aims to make bill payment quick easy and convenient for all our members. In this article, I’ll walk through the various ways you can pay your Energy Coop bill and highlight the benefits of each method. Whether you prefer the simplicity of automatic payments, the flexibility of online payments, or the familiarity of mailing in a check, we have an option that will work for you.

Overview of Payment Options

The Energy Coop offers several ways for you to take care of your electric natural gas, or propane bill each month

• Online via SmartHub
• The Energy Coop app
• Phone
• Mail
• In person at a payment center
• Night drop box

Below I’ll outline how each payment method works, but first let’s look at some of the key benefits of paying your Energy Coop bill:

• Avoid late fees: When you pay on time every month you avoid getting hit with late charges.
• Maintain service: Paying your bill promptly prevents any disruption to your electric, gas, or propane service.
• Earn rewards: Enrolling in automatic payments makes you eligible for bill credit rewards.
• Track usage: Viewing your account online allows you to monitor your energy consumption.
• Go paperless: Opting for e-bills reduces waste and clutter.

Pay Online via SmartHub

For fast, secure online bill payment, the easiest option is to use SmartHub. You can access SmartHub right from The Energy Coop website by clicking on “My Account” and logging in.

With SmartHub you can:

• Check your current account balance
• View PDF copies of your monthly bills
• Make a one-time payment by credit/debit card or e-check
• Set up recurring auto-pay to have payments drafted from your bank account each month
• Go paperless by opting to receive e-bills instead of paper bills

Making payments through SmartHub takes just a few clicks and your payment will be applied to your account within two business days. It’s the most convenient way to stay on top of your bill!

Use the Energy Coop App

You can also download the free Energy Coop app for your iOS or Android device. The app gives you all the same account management and bill pay capabilities as the desktop version of SmartHub directly on your phone or tablet.

Reasons to use the app:

• Pay your bill on-the-go from your mobile device
• Avoid logging in online each month
• Receive app notifications about your bill and payment confirmations
• Monitor electric usage even when you’re away from home

With mobile access, paying your bill is always at your fingertips. Download the Energy Coop app to simplify payments.

Pay by Phone

Call 740-344-2102 and select option 2 to use The Energy Coop’s automated phone payment system. You can pay by:

• Debit or credit card
• Electronic check

The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and e-checks. It is PCI compliant to keep your payment information secure.

Paying by phone takes just a few minutes. Just have your account number, payment info, and amount ready when you call.

Mail In Your Payment

If you prefer to mail in a traditional paper check or money order, you can send your payment to:

Electric and Natural Gas Members
The Energy Cooperative
PO BOX 182137
Columbus, OH 43218-2137

Propane Members
The Energy Cooperative
PO BOX 182138
Columbus, OH 43218-2138

Please allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to be received and applied to your account. Include your account number on the check or an enclosed payment stub.

Pay In Person

You can drop off a payment at The Energy Coop’s drive-thru at 1500 Granville Rd in Newark, OH. Member service representatives can take your payment between 7:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.

There are also two night drop boxes available:

• Newark office – 1500 Granville Rd
• Utica Service Center – 11339 Mt. Vernon Rd

If using the drop box, include your account number and service address with the payment. Payments left in the night drop boxes will be processed the following business day.

Enroll in Automatic Payments

The easiest way to avoid late fees and service disruptions is to enroll in automatic payments through SmartHub.

With automatic payments:

• Your bill amount will be automatically drafted from your bank account each month
• You’ll qualify for a $5 bill credit reward each year
• You’ll never forget when your bill is due or have to log in to pay it

Automatic payments give you peace of mind knowing your bill is always paid on time. Enroll through SmartHub today!

Monitor Your Energy Use

When you log into SmartHub to pay your bill, keep an eye on your electricity, gas, or propane usage. Viewing your usage can help you:

• Identify peaks and dips in energy consumption
• Detect possible leaks or other issues
• See the impact of energy efficiency improvements
• Track spending month-over-month

Noticing unusual usage patterns allows you to address problems early and potentially lower your energy costs.

Go Paperless with E-Bills

Tired of paper clutter? You can opt for e-bills when logged into SmartHub.

Benefits of e-bills include:

• Get bills delivered directly to your email inbox
• Reduce paper waste from mailed bills
• Avoid misplacing paper bills
• Access current and past e-bills anytime in SmartHub

Going paperless makes organization simple and cuts down on mailbox clutter. It’s better for the environment too!

Payment Assistance Programs

If you’re ever struggling financially, The Energy Coop offers several programs to help qualified members catch up on overdue payments, including:

• Payment arrangements/extensions
• Energy assistance programs
• Medical certificates
• Winter heating assistance

Contact our member services team to learn about available payment assistance options if you face financial hardship.

In Summary

Paying your Energy Coop bill should never be a burden. We offer numerous payment options to provide convenience and flexibility. The bottom line is that we make it as easy as possible for members to pay on time, avoid late fees, and maintain uninterrupted electric, gas, or propane service. Reach out with any questions about managing payments for your Energy Coop account.