How to Pay Your Chicopee Electric Light Bill Online, by Phone, or In Person

Paying your electric bill is an essential responsibility for all residents and businesses in Chicopee, MA who are customers of Chicopee Electric Light (CEL). As the sole provider of electricity for the city, CEL offers several convenient payment options to fit any schedule or preference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the available methods to pay your CEL electric bill including online, by phone in person, and more.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest and most popular way to pay your CEL electric bill is online through the utility’s website Simply visit wwwceld.com and click on the prominent “Pay Electric Bill” button. This will direct you to the online payment portal.

You’ll need to make an account if this is your first time using the online system. Have your CEL account number and an email address ready. The registration process only takes a minute or two. After signing up, you can check your balance and make a payment at any time.

Online payments can be made with all major credit/debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. You can also use an e-check by providing your bank routing and account numbers.

The online portal allows you to do the following:

• Check your current balance
• View payment history
• Make a one-time payment
• Set up recurring auto-pay
• Update your payment method
• Access billing statements

You don’t have to worry about your payment posting late when you pay online because it is processed right away. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to pay your CEL electric bill.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to speak to a representative, CEL offers a toll-free automated phone payment system. To use this method, call 1-877-371-0327 anytime 24/7. You’ll need to enter your 10-digit CEL account number and follow the voice prompts.

Like the online portal, the automated phone system allows you to check your balance, make a one-time payment, and enroll in auto-pay. The available payment methods are credit/debit cards and electronic checks. There is no fee to use the pay-by-phone system.

Some key advantages of paying your CEL electric bill by phone include:

• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Fast and easy automated system
• Takes credit/debit cards and e-checks
• Confirmation number provided after payment
• No additional fees

So if you don’t have Internet access or prefer to call in your payment, the CEL pay-by-phone line is a convenient option accessible anytime.

In-Person Payments

For customers who wish to pay their electric bill in person, CEL has a customer service office located at 725 Front Street in Chicopee. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

To make an in-person payment, simply walk into the CEL office during business hours. Get in the payment line and let the customer service representative know you’re there to pay your electric bill. You’ll need to provide your 10-digit CEL account number.

Payments can be made via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. The reps can also assist with any account questions while you’re there. Additionally, you can get signed up for auto-pay, update your account information, and receive printouts of statements and payment history.

Some key perks of paying your CEL electric bill in person include:

• Make payment with cash if desired
• Get assistance from customer service reps
• Have all account questions answered in real-time
• Set up new service and auto-pay plans
• Avoid waiting for bills and payments to process by mail

So if you prefer human interaction or need account help, head to the CEL office during regular business hours to pay in person.

Payment by Mail

CEL also accepts electric bill payments by mail for customers who wish to pay that way. Simply mail a check or money order to:

Chicopee Electric Light
PO Box 405
Chicopee, MA 01020

Be sure to include your 10-digit CEL account number on the check or money order and allow plenty of mailing time for it to reach the payment center before your due date.

Paying by mail has some advantages, like:

• Pay with a paper check or money order
• Avoid online transaction fees
• Mail payment from anywhere

Just keep in mind it takes longer to process and you lose online conveniences like instant balance updates.

Budget Billing

CEL offers a Budget Billing plan to make electric costs more consistent throughout the year. This program averages your usage over 12 months to determine a fixed monthly payment amount.

To enroll in Budget Billing, your CEL account must be in good standing. The fixed monthly payment might be higher or lower than your normal monthly bill, but it avoids drastic seasonal spikes.

At the end of each “budget year”, your account is reviewed and the payment amount adjusted if needed. Any outstanding balance gets divided by 12 and added to the next year’s monthly payments.

Call CEL at 413-594-2400 to learn more about Budget Billing or sign up for this payment assistance program.

Financial Assistance Programs

CEL partners with local agencies to offer financial assistance for customers struggling to pay their electric bill. These programs include:

• Fuel Assistance – Provides credits on your CEL bill from November to April based on household income. Administered by Community Action.

• Good Neighbor Energy Fund – Raises funds through donations to help families pay energy bills. Grant amounts vary.

• Discount Rate – Offers 30-60% off the monthly customer charge for qualifying low-income residents.

Visit the CEL website or call their customer service line to learn about eligibility and how to apply for these money-saving assistance programs.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

CEL electric bills are due 21 days after mailing. A late fee of 1.5% is assessed on any unpaid balance after the due date. Failing to pay your bill on time could eventually lead to service disconnection.

Here are some tips to avoid late fees and keep your electricity running:

• Pay online and enroll in auto-pay – It processes instantly and you’ll never miss the due date.

• Use the CEL app – Access your account 24/7 and pay on the go from your smartphone.

• Call the automated pay-by-phone line – Available anytime if you miss the online cutoff time.

• If you can’t pay in full, call CEL immediately to set up a payment plan. As long as you pay as agreed, they will not disconnect your service.

• Contact CEL if you lose your job or have another hardship so they can discuss bill assistance options.

Monitor your usage through the online portal or app and pay each bill promptly to avoid incurring fees or disconnection.

Change Billing Date or Payment Method

You can request to change your CEL billing date or payment method at any time. Just call the customer service line at 413-594-2400 or chat with a representative online.

Some reasons you may want to change your electric bill’s due date include aligning it with your paycheck deposit schedule or another existing bill. To update your payment method, simply provide the new debit/credit card or bank account information you wish to use for auto-pay or one-time payments.

The CEL reps can easily handle these account updates in just a few minutes. You’ll also receive confirmation when the changes are processed.

Closing Thoughts

As the sole electric provider in Chicopee, MA, all residents and businesses must establish service with CEL and pay monthly bills accordingly. Luckily, the utility offers multiple payment options like online, phone, in-person, mail, and auto-pay.

Review your electric usage frequently and pay each CEL bill on time to avoid late fees or disconnection. Contact their customer service department with any account questions or to discuss bill assistance programs if you’re struggling financially. Managing your CEL electric account responsibly allows you to power your home or business without disruption.