Con Edison payment methods and where to send money

Con Edison (the utility serving New York City and Westchester County) accepts payments through several channels: online at their website, by phone, by mail, through automatic bank withdrawal, or in person at payment centers. The fastest route is online or by phone, both of which post to your account the same day if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern time. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to reach their processing center, so if your bill is due in fewer days than that, do not mail it.

You can set up automatic payments from your bank account through Con Edison's website or by calling 1-800-752-6633. This removes the risk of forgetting a due date and avoids late fees. If you prefer to pay by check or money order, mail it to the address printed on your bill—never send cash through the mail. Con Edison also operates payment kiosks in some locations; check their website for the nearest one to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and phone payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time, while mail takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • Automatic bank withdrawal removes the risk of late fees and requires you to set it up once through Con Edison's website or by phone.
  • Late payments trigger a 1.5% monthly interest charge on the overdue balance, compounding each month the bill remains unpaid.
  • If you cannot pay in full, contact Con Edison about a payment plan before your account is disconnected; they may offer extended terms for hardship situations.
  • Disputed charges should be reported within 60 days of the bill date to preserve your right to contest them.

What happens if you miss a due date

Con Edison charges 1.5% monthly interest on any balance that remains unpaid after the due date. This interest compounds—meaning you pay interest on the interest—each month the bill stays overdue. A $200 bill unpaid for three months will accrue roughly $9 in interest charges on top of the original amount.

After 20 days past due, Con Edison may send a disconnection notice. This does not mean your service stops immediately; it means they are warning you that disconnection is coming. You typically have another 10 to 15 days to pay or contact them about a payment arrangement before the actual shutoff occurs. Once service is disconnected, you will owe a reconnection fee (currently $50 to $75 depending on the reason for disconnection) in addition to the unpaid balance.

If you receive a disconnection notice, call Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633 right away. They can place a hold on the disconnection while you arrange a payment plan. Many customers in hardship situations are offered extended payment terms—sometimes 12 months or longer—rather than immediate full payment.

Payment plans and hardship options

Con Edison offers payment plans for customers who cannot pay their full bill at once. The length and terms depend on how much you owe and your account history. If you owe less than $500, they may offer a plan of 2 to 3 months. Larger arrears can stretch to 12 months or more. You must make each scheduled payment on time; missing a payment on the plan can result in disconnection even if you are current on the plan itself.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, Con Edison participates in the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which is run by New York State. HEAP provides grants (not loans) to help pay heating and cooling bills for low-income households. You apply through your local Department of Social Services office, not through Con Edison directly. HEAP covers both electric and gas bills and does not require repayment.

Con Edison also has an arrearage forgiveness program for customers who enroll in budget billing and maintain on-time payments for 12 consecutive months. This program forgives a portion of old unpaid balances if you stay current going forward. Ask about this when you call to set up a payment plan.

Disputing a charge on your Con Edison bill

If you believe a charge is wrong, you have 60 days from the bill date to dispute it. Contact Con Edison's billing department at 1-800-752-6633 and explain which charge you are questioning. They will ask for details: the date, the amount, and why you think it is incorrect. Do not refuse to pay the entire bill while disputing one charge; pay what you do not dispute and ask them to hold the disputed amount pending investigation.

Con Edison will investigate and respond within 30 to 45 days. If they find an error, they will credit your account. If they find no error, they will explain their findings in writing. You can request a more detailed investigation if you disagree with their conclusion, though this process takes longer. Keep copies of all correspondence and your meter readings if you are disputing usage charges.

Automatic payments and budget billing

Setting up automatic payments removes the burden of remembering due dates and reduces the chance of late fees. You authorize Con Edison to withdraw a set amount from your bank account each month on a date you choose. The payment posts within one business day. You can change or cancel the authorization at any time by calling Con Edison or logging into your online account.

Budget billing averages your annual usage and spreads it into equal monthly payments. This smooths out seasonal spikes—your winter heating bill will not be dramatically higher than your summer bill. At the end of the year, Con Edison reconciles your actual usage against what you paid; if you used less, you get a credit; if you used more, you owe the difference. Budget billing does not reduce your total annual cost, but it makes bills more predictable.

Online account access and payment history

Create an account on Con Edison's website to view your bill, make payments, set up automatic withdrawal, and track your payment history. You will need your account number (found on your bill) and a valid email address. Once logged in, you can see your current balance, due date, and usage trends. The site also shows which payments have posted and which are pending.

If you lose access to your online account or forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Con Edison will send a reset link to the email address on file. If you no longer have access to that email, call their customer service line and they can help you regain access or update your contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Con Edison bill with a credit card?

Con Edison does not accept credit cards directly to avoid processing fees. You can pay online with a debit card, by phone with a debit card, or through automatic bank withdrawal. Some third-party payment processors allow you to pay a utility bill with a credit card, but they charge a fee (usually 2% to 3%) on top of your bill.

What if I pay online but my payment does not show up?

Online payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time. If you paid after that time, it will post the next business day. Check your account the following day to confirm. If more than one business day has passed and the payment still does not appear, call Con Edison with your confirmation number from the payment receipt.

How do I know if my account is about to be disconnected?

Con Edison sends a disconnection notice by mail when your account is 20 days past due. The notice states the date service will be shut off if you do not pay or contact them. You can also call 1-800-752-6633 to ask your account status at any time. Do not wait for a notice—if you know you cannot pay, call ahead to arrange a plan.

Can I get my service reconnected the same day I pay?

Reconnection typically takes 24 to 48 hours after payment is received and processed. If you pay in person at a Con Edison payment center, reconnection may happen faster, but it is not may provide same-day. Call ahead to confirm the reconnection timeline for your location.

What if I think my meter is reading wrong?

Request a meter test by calling Con Edison. They will send a technician to verify the meter is working correctly. If the meter is faulty, Con Edison will replace it and adjust your bill based on the average of your previous usage. If the meter is working correctly, you will be charged a testing fee (currently around $25 to $50).