Con Edison takes payments through multiple channels, and the method you choose affects when your account is credited

Con Edison (Con Ed) is the utility company serving most of New York City and Westchester County. When you pay your bill, the money moves through different systems depending on whether you pay online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Understanding which method you use and how long it takes to post to your account matters if you're trying to avoid a late fee or reconnection notice.

The fastest way to pay is through Con Ed's website or mobile app, where payment posts the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Phone payments (1-800-752-6633) follow the same timing. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days from the time Con Ed receives the envelope, not from when you drop it in the mailbox. In-person payments at Con Ed payment centers or authorized retailers post when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and phone payments post the same business day if made before 8 p.m. Eastern time; mail payments take 7 to 10 business days after Con Ed receives them.
  • Con Ed charges a late fee if your payment is not posted by the due date shown on your bill, regardless of when you submitted it.
  • If you pay online, you can set up automatic recurring payments or one-time payments; both require a Con Ed account login.
  • Reconnection can happen as soon as 24 hours after a bill becomes past due, so paying before the due date matters more than paying quickly after.

Online and mobile app payments: same-day posting

Paying through Con Ed's website (conedison.com) or the Con Edison mobile app is the fastest method for most people. You log in with your account number and password, enter the amount you want to pay, and choose your payment date. If you submit the payment before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays), it posts to your account that same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.

You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Credit card payments may include a processing fee (Con Ed discloses the fee amount before you confirm). Bank account transfers and debit card payments typically have no fee. You can also set up automatic payments through the website, which deducts the amount on a date you choose each month. Automatic payments use bank account transfer only and have no fee.

Con Ed's system does not hold your payment pending verification. Once you submit it and receive a confirmation number, the payment enters their processing queue. You can check your account balance online within a few hours to confirm the payment has posted.

Phone payments: same timing as online, with a live representative

Calling Con Ed's automated payment line at 1-800-752-6633 lets you pay without logging into the website. The system accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account information. Like online payments, phone payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.

Con Ed charges a fee for credit card payments made by phone but not for debit card or bank account payments. If you need to speak with a representative rather than use the automated system, you can request one during the call, though this may add time. A representative can also help you set up a payment arrangement if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date.

Mail payments: 7 to 10 business days after Con Ed receives the envelope

If you mail a check or money order, Con Ed's processing timeline starts when they physically receive the envelope, not when you mail it. The postal service typically takes 2 to 5 business days to deliver mail within the Con Ed service area, so a check mailed on a Monday might not arrive until Thursday or Friday. Con Ed then processes it within 5 business days of receipt. This means a check mailed today could take up to 15 business days to post to your account.

Con Ed's mailing address is on your bill. Always include your account number on the check or money order. If your payment does not post by the due date, Con Ed will assess a late fee even if you mailed the check before the important date. For this reason, mail is the riskiest method if you are close to the due date. If you must mail a payment, do so at least two weeks before the due date to allow for postal delays and processing time.

In-person payments: when ready posting at authorized locations

Con Ed operates payment centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Westchester where you can pay in cash, check, or money order. Payments posted in person are credited to your account when ready. Con Ed also partners with authorized retailers and banks where you can make payments; these typically post the same day or next business day depending on the retailer's processing schedule.

Payment centers have limited hours and may have lines, especially near the due date. Check Con Ed's website for the location nearest you and current hours before you go. Some retailers charge a convenience fee for in-person payments, so confirm the fee before you pay.

Late fees and reconnection timing

Con Ed assesses a late fee if your payment is not posted to your account by the due date shown on your bill. The late fee is a percentage of your bill amount and varies based on your account type. This means the method you choose matters: a check mailed on the due date will likely incur a late fee because it will not post for 7 to 10 more days. An online payment submitted on the due date before 8 p.m. will post the same day and avoid the late fee.

If your account remains unpaid for 20 days after the due date, Con Ed may send a disconnection notice. Reconnection can happen as soon as 24 hours after the bill becomes past due if you do not respond to the notice. If you receive a disconnection notice, contact Con Ed when ready to discuss a payment arrangement or to confirm that a payment is in process. Reconnection fees explore if your service is shut off.

Payment arrangements and hardship options

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, Con Ed offers payment arrangements that spread the balance over several months. You can request an arrangement by calling 1-800-752-6633 and speaking with a representative. Con Ed typically allows arrangements of 2 to 12 months depending on your balance and account history. Setting up an arrangement does not erase the late fee on the current bill, but it stops the account from moving toward disconnection.

Con Ed also has hardship programs for customers with low income or financial difficulty. These programs may reduce your bill or offer extended payment terms. You can ask about these programs when you call to discuss an arrangement, or visit conedison.com to learn about income-based information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Con Ed stop accepting online payments each day?

Con Ed's online payment system accepts payments until 8 p.m. Eastern time on business days. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. The exact cutoff time may vary slightly, so submitting well before 8 p.m. reduces the risk of a delayed posting.

If I pay by phone on Friday, when will it post?

A phone payment submitted before 8 p.m. on Friday posts the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. on Friday post on Monday (assuming Monday is not a holiday). Con Ed does not process payments on weekends or holidays, so timing matters if you are close to the due date.

Can I get a late fee removed if I mailed my check on time but it arrived late?

Con Ed's policy is that the payment must post by the due date, not be mailed by the due date. If your check arrives after the due date, a late fee will be assessed. You can contact Con Ed to request a waiver, especially if you have a good payment history, but there is no may provide. For time-sensitive payments, use online or phone payment instead.

What happens if I set up automatic payments but do not have enough money in my account?

If an automatic payment fails due to insufficient funds, Con Ed will attempt to collect the payment again. If it continues to fail, your account may be treated as unpaid and subject to late fees and disconnection. Contact Con Ed when ready if you know an automatic payment will fail so you can pause it or arrange an alternative payment method.

Do I need to create a Con Ed online account to pay by phone?

No. You can pay by phone using the automated system without logging in. You will need your account number and the payment amount. The automated system does not require you to create or access an online account, though having one makes it easier to check your balance and set up automatic payments.