How to Pay Your Golden Heart Utilities Bill: A Complete Guide

Living in Fairbanks, Alaska means relying on Golden Heart Utilities for essential services like water sewer and garbage removal. As a customer, it’s your responsibility to pay your Golden Heart Utilities bill on time each month. But with different payment options available, the process can seem confusing.

We’ll show you all the ways you can pay your Golden Heart Utilities bill in this detailed guide. We can take care of your payment needs whether you’d rather pay online or mail a check.

Online Bill Pay

The fastest and easiest way to pay your Golden Heart Utilities bill is online through their website

To utilize the online payment system

• Go to https://akwater.epayub.com/Account/Login
• Log into your account with your username and password
• Select “Make Payment” and enter the amount due
• Choose whether to pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check
• Enter your payment information and submit

You don’t have to worry about mail delays when you pay online because the payment is processed right away. You’ll receive an email confirmation that your payment went through successfully.

The online payment portal allows you to setup recurring payments as well. This is a great option if you want to setup autopay and not have to manually pay each month.

While Golden Heart Utilities does charge a $2.50 convenience fee for online payments, the ease of paying from home makes it worth it for many customers.

Pay By Phone

In addition to online payments, Golden Heart Utilities offers a pay-by-phone option.

To pay your bill over the phone:

• Call 907-459-3118
• Select the “Bill Payment” option when prompted
• Enter your 10-digit account number
• Choose to pay by credit card or debit card
• Provide your card information to the automated system

Pay-by-phone is super quick and easy for those last minute payments. You get instant confirmation without having to drive across town.

Just like with online bill pay, there is a $2.50 convenience fee per phone payment.

Bank Auto Pay

For the ultimate in bill paying convenience, consider setting up recurring automatic payments through your bank.

To get started with bank auto pay:

• Contact your financial institution to setup Golden Heart Utilities as a payee
• Provide your 10-digit account number and monthly bill amount
• Funds will be automatically withdrawn from your account each month

Auto pay through your bank is completely free. And it ensures your bill gets paid on time without you having to remember. Just check your account periodically to make sure the right amount is being withdrawn.

Mail a Check

If you prefer to pay your bill the old fashioned way, you can always mail in a physical check.

To pay by mail:

• Write your 10-digit account number on the check or money order
• Make it payable to Golden Heart Utilities
• Place it in the return envelope provided with your bill
• Drop it in any mailbox before the due date

Mailed payments take 5-7 days to reach Golden Heart Utilities and be applied to your account. Make sure to mail your check early to avoid late fees.

The advantage of mailing a check is that there are no convenience fees. But it does require more planning ahead.

Pay In Person

For those who like human interaction or need same day payment confirmation, paying your bill in person is an option.

You can pay in person at the Golden Heart Utilities office:

• Located at 3691 Cameron Street in Fairbanks
• Open Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30PM

In-person payments can be made by cash, check, credit card or debit card. You’ll receive an instant receipt when paying at the office.

Just bear in mind that Golden Heart Utilities does charge a 3% processing fee for credit card payments made in person. Debit cards and cash do not have a fee.

Use the Drop Box

If you can’t make it to the Golden Heart Utilities office during business hours, you can use the drop box located outside the building.

To use the drop box:

• Write your 10-digit account number on the payment
• Place your check or money order in an envelope
• Deposit the envelope in the drop box at any time

Payments left in the drop box will be credited to your account the next business day. It’s a secure and convenient after-hours option.

Third-Party Bill Pay Services

In addition to Golden Heart Utilities’ payment options, you may also be able to pay your bill through certain banks or bill pay apps.

For example:

• Your bank’s online bill pay service
• Apps like Doxo, Mint, Prism, etc.

However, Golden Heart Utilities does NOT recommend using third-party services to pay your bill. There are a few reasons why:

• Third parties often charge service fees and convenience fees
• Payments can take longer to reach Golden Heart Utilities with these services
• Accuracy of account numbers and amounts cannot be guaranteed

To avoid late fees and headaches, it’s best to stick with one of the payment options listed above. But in a pinch, third parties can work as long as you pay well before the due date.

Review Your Monthly Bill

When you receive your Golden Heart Utilities bill each month, it’s smart to review it for accuracy. Here are some key sections to check:

• Account summary – Shows your previous balance, any payments made, new charges, and the total now due. Verify the total matches what you expect.

• Meter readings – Check that your usage aligns with your actual household activities for the month. Were you away on vacation for 2 weeks? Usage should be lower.

• Breakdown of charges – Review the itemized charges for water, sewer, garbage, fees, and taxes. Look for any irregularities.

• Billing period – Confirm the start and end dates cover the correct month.

• Due date – Note when payment is due to avoid late fees.

• Account notices – Check for any bill messages like past due or pending disconnection notices.

Reviewing each bill carefully protects you from overpaying for incorrect charges. Be sure to contact Golden Heart Utilities right away if you find any billing errors.

Avoid Late Payments and Disconnection

The #1 priority when paying your Golden Heart Utilities bill is doing so before the due date. This prevents both late fees and potential service disruption.

If your payment is late, you will be charged:

• Late fee: 1.5% of your past due balance
• Disconnect notice fee: $10

And if the past due amount remains unpaid for over 60 days, your water service may be disconnected. Make sure it doesn’t get to this point!

Set payment reminders for yourself and pay on time every month using one of the convenient options outlined above. Your bank account and household will thank you.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you find yourself struggling to pay your Golden Heart Utilities bill month after month, payment assistance programs are available for those who qualify:

• LIHEAP: Helps pay for home heating costs and water/sewer bills if you meet the income limits

• AKH2O: Offers payment matching when you show consistent on-time payments of your current bill

• APA: Alaska Partnership for Access provides assistance through local nonprofits

Contact Golden Heart Utilities to learn more about applying for these and other potential assistance programs if you need help covering utility costs.

Moving Your Service

When moving to a new home or apartment in Fairbanks, you’ll need to transfer or stop your Golden Heart Utilities service. Some important notes:

• Transfer service: Complete a new service application 3-5 days before your move so utilities are ready at your new address.

• Stop service: Notify Golden Heart Utilities 1 business day before your move out date to schedule a final meter read and close your account.

• Change account name: To transfer utilities to your name at an existing address, just provide your info for a name change on the account.

Taking a few minutes to update your account information ensures smooth continuity of your essential utility services during the hectic moving process!

In Summary

From online payments to auto drafts from your bank account, Golden Heart Utilities offers a range of options for how to pay your bill each month. The key is choosing a payment method that is:

• Convenient for your needs
• Allows payment before the due date
• Doesn’t incur excessive fees

Setting a routine for bill payment ensures you never miss a payment or face late fees. And carefully reviewing each monthly statement protects you from billing errors.

Living in Fairbanks has its challenges, but paying your Golden Heart Utilities bill on time doesn’t have to be one of them! Utilize the tips in this guide for hassle-free bill payment all year long.