Having reliable electricity supply is vital for every home and business. To keep power from going out, Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC) customers must pay their bills on time every month. PGEC now lets members pay their bills online, so they can do it from anywhere at any time using the web or a mobile app.
In this detailed guide, I will walk through the steps for paying your PGEC electric bill online using SmartHub. You’ll learn how to register, manage accounts, understand billing, and leverage smart tools to take control of your energy costs.
Headquartered in Waverly VA Prince George Electric Cooperative is a member-owned utility providing electricity to homes and businesses in southeastern Virginia. PGEC serves over 12,000 meters in 9 counties.
In the past, members paid their electric bills by mailing checks or going to PGEC’s offices to pay in person. However, PGEC now makes it easy to pay online through SmartHub web and mobile access.
With SmartHub, members can:
- Pay bills immediately via credit/debit card or bank account
- View current and past electric usage and bills
- Monitor daily consumption
- Set up recurring payments and alerts
- Go paperless
- Report outages
- And more!
Below I’ll walk through everything you need to know to start paying your PGEC electric bill conveniently online.
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Electric Bill Through SmartHub
Follow these steps to start paying your electric bill online with PGEC’s SmartHub portal:
1. Visit SmartHub
Go to PGEC’s SmartHub website at pgec.smarthub.coop or download the app. Available for iOS and Android devices.
2. Click “Pay Now”
Select “Pay Now” to make a one-time payment. Or click “Billing & Payments” to access your PGEC accounts.
3. Register Your Account
First-time users will need to register their PGEC account on SmartHub. Click “New User” and enter your account number, last name, and email address.
4. Create Login Credentials
Create a unique username and password. This will allow you to securely access your account going forward.
5. Select Payment Method
Choose whether to pay by credit/debit card, checking account, or savings account. Enter your details.
6. Enter Payment Amount
Key in the payment amount for your active electric bill. Click “Continue” to proceed.
7. Confirm Payment Details
Verify all the payment details before submitting. Click “Pay Now” to complete the online payment to your PGEC account.
And you’re done! SmartHub will email a payment confirmation and receipt.
Benefits of Paying Electric Bill Online With PGEC
Paying your electric bill digitally with SmartHub provides many benefits including:
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Convenience – Pay anytime, anywhere with 24/7 web and mobile access
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Speed – Make instant online payments and avoid mailing delays
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Security – SmartHub uses bank-level encryption and security
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Control – Monitor daily electric use and manage billing
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Access – Manage multiple PGEC accounts on one platform
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Savings – No more stamps, checks or trips to pay in person
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Rewards – Earn bill credits with paperless e-billing
Understanding PGEC Electric Billing Cycles and Due Dates
It’s important to understand PGEC’s billing cycles and policies to avoid late fees. Here are key points:
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PGEC bills monthly for the previous month’s kilowatt-hour usage
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Bills are issued on the same date each month based on your assigned billing cycle
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Payment is due 20 days after the bill is issued
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Late fees apply if the balance is unpaid after the due date
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Accounts are subject to disconnection if bills remain unpaid for two consecutive cycles
Check your latest PGEC bill to confirm your exact due date each month. mark your calendar to ensure on-time payments.
Ways to Pay Your Electric Bill with PGEC
In addition to SmartHub online payments, PGEC offers these electric bill payment options:
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AutoPay – Setup recurring automatic payments from your bank account through SmartHub.
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Phone – Call PGEC at 804-834-2424 to pay over the phone with a card or checking/savings account.
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Mail – Send a check or money order payable to PGEC at PO Box 168, Waverly, VA 23890.
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In Person – Visit a PGEC office at 7103 General Mahone Hwy, Waverly, VA or 5718 Courthouse Rd, Prince George, VA.
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Drop Box – Deposit a payment in the secure drop box at 5718 Courthouse Rd, Prince George, VA.
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Western Union – Make a cash payment at Western Union agent locations using PGEC’s information.
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MoneyGram – Pay with cash at MoneyGram locations with PGEC’s receive code.
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Cash Payments – Pay with cash only at Walmart stores using PGEC’s receive code.
Tips for Avoiding Late Electric Bills and Fees
To prevent late electric bills and penalties with PGEC, keep these tips in mind:
- Clearly note due dates on your calendar and set reminders.
- Enroll in paperless e-billing and emailed due date alerts through SmartHub.
- Setup AutoPay if you often forget due dates. This automatically pays your bill from your bank account every month.
- Monitor your daily electric usage on SmartHub and adjust habits if bills seem high.
- Contact PGEC immediately if you anticipate issues paying on time due to financial hardship. They may be able to arrange a payment plan.
- Keep PGEC updated with your current phone number and email to receive important payment notifications.
Troubleshooting Common PGEC Bill Pay Issues
While paying online with SmartHub is typically quick and easy, you may occasionally run into problems like:
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Incorrect account number – Double check your PGEC account number entered matches exactly what’s listed on your paper bill.
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Wrong card details – Typos when entering card numbers, expiration dates or CVV codes will cause declined payments.
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Insufficient funds – Debit card and checking account payments will fail if your balance is too low.
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Expired credit/debit card – Update your card’s expiration date if it has changed or renewed since adding it to your SmartHub account.
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Website errors – Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or switching web browsers if SmartHub is buggy.
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SmartHub app issues – Update to the latest version of the app. Reinstall the app if consistently experiencing mobile problems.
For any persistent SmartHub bill pay issues, call PGEC at 804-834-2424 for assistance during business hours, Monday thru Friday from 9AM to 4PM.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About PGEC Bill Pay
Here are some commonly asked questions about paying PGEC electric bills online:
Q: Is there a fee to pay my electric bill through SmartHub?
A: No, PGEC does not charge any fees for online payments made through SmartHub.
Q: When can I pay to avoid late fees?
A: Pay your entire balance due by the due date shown on your current PGEC bill to avoid late payment penalties.
Q: How long do electric bill payments take to process?
A: SmartHub credit/debit card payments process instantly. Bank account payments take 1-3 business days to fully process.
Q: Can I see previous electric bills and payment history?
A: Yes, sign into SmartHub to access up to 2 years of PGEC billing and payment history.
Q: Is SmartHub secure for paying bills?
A: Yes, SmartHub meets the highest security standards to safely collect, process, and store your account data and payments.
Q: What happens if I forget my SmartHub login?
A: Use the “Forgot Password” link on SmartHub to reset your credentials via email. You can also call PGEC to assist.
Conclusion
Local algebra teacher receives co-op’s Round Up for Education funds
Co-op urges local educators to apply. Henry Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Teachers play a major role in sparking the interests of our future leaders. Their passion and dedication often inspire students to discover new things and pursue their dreams. On Teacher Appreciation Day, Prince George Electric Cooperative encourages us to reflect on the positive impact teachers have had on our lives that extends far beyond the classroom and participate in its Round Up for Education Program.
Cover all the bases this season with SmartHub
It’s the official Opening Day for baseball and whether the bases will be loaded when the first home run is hit this season or not, PGEC helps members cover all their account management bases with their PGEC SmartHub mobile app.