Paying Your AES Indiana Bill Through Their Online Portal
AES Indiana (formerly known as Citizens Energy Group for electric service) lets you pay your bill directly through their website or mobile app without leaving your home. You log in with your account number and password, enter a payment amount, choose your payment date, and confirm. The payment posts to your account within one to two business days for online payments.
To set this up, you'll need your AES Indiana account number (found on your bill), a valid email address, and either a bank account or debit card. If you don't have an online account yet, you can create one at the AES Indiana website by entering your account number and setting up a username and password.
One-time payments and recurring payments (autopay) both work through the same portal. Recurring payments are useful if you want the same amount deducted on the same day each month, though you can change or cancel autopay at any time.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay through AES Indiana's website or mobile app using a bank account or debit card, and the payment reaches your account within one to two business days.
- Setting up an online account requires your account number, email address, and a password you create yourself.
- Autopay lets you schedule the same payment on the same day each month, and you can change or stop it whenever you need to.
- Payments made after 5 p.m. Eastern Time typically process the next business day, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
- If you don't have internet access, you can pay by phone or mail, though online and autopay are faster.
Setting Up Your Online Account
Visit the AES Indiana website and look for the "Pay My Bill" or "My Account" section. Click the option to create a new account or log in. You'll be asked for your account number (the number on your bill), your service address, and your zip code. AES Indiana will verify this information against their records.
Once verified, you'll create a username and password. Use a password you haven't used elsewhere, and write it down somewhere safe. After you confirm your email address, your account is active and you can make a payment right away or set up autopay for future months.
If you have trouble finding your account number, check the top or bottom of your AES Indiana bill. It's usually a series of numbers printed clearly on the front. If you still can't locate it, you can call AES Indiana customer service and they'll provide it over the phone.
Making a One-Time Payment
Log into your account on the AES Indiana website or app. You'll see your current bill amount and due date displayed at the top. Click "Pay Now" or "Make a Payment." Enter the amount you want to pay (you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or more than the balance if you want a credit).
Next, choose your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. Bank account payments are free and take one to two business days. Debit card payments are also free but may process slightly faster. Enter the payment date you want — this can be today or any future date up to your due date.
Review the payment details one more time before you confirm. You'll receive a confirmation number on screen and via email. Keep this number in case you need to reference the payment later. If you don't see the payment post within two business days, contact AES Indiana with your confirmation number.
Setting Up Autopay
Autopay means AES Indiana will automatically deduct your bill payment from your bank account or debit card on a date you choose each month. To set it up, log into your account and look for "Autopay," "Recurring Payment," or "Automatic Payment" in the payment section.
Choose whether you want to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed dollar amount you set yourself. Select your payment method (bank account or debit card) and the day of the month you want the payment to go through. Most people choose a date a few days after they expect to receive their bill, so they know the amount before it's deducted.
You can change your autopay amount, payment date, or payment method at any time by logging back into your account. You can also pause or cancel autopay if you need to make a manual payment instead. Canceling autopay takes effect when ready, so if you cancel on the 15th, no payment will be deducted on the 20th (or whatever date you had set).
Payment Methods and Fees
AES Indiana accepts payments from a checking or savings account (ACH transfer) and from debit cards. Both methods are free — there is no fee charged by AES Indiana for paying online. Some banks may charge a fee for ACH transfers, but most do not; check with your bank if you're unsure.
Credit cards are not accepted for AES Indiana bill payments. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to pay through a third-party payment processor, which typically charges a fee of 2 to 3 percent of your bill amount. For most customers, paying directly from a bank account or debit card is the cheapest option.
If you don't have a bank account or debit card, you can still pay by phone (by calling AES Indiana and providing payment information over the phone) or by mail (sending a check to the address on your bill). Phone and mail payments take longer to process, so plan ahead if your due date is coming up.
Timing and When Payments Post
Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day usually post to your account the same day or the next business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. If you're cutting it close to your due date, make your payment at least one business day early to avoid a late fee.
AES Indiana considers a payment on time if it posts to your account by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Even if you submit the payment earlier, if it doesn't post until after 5 p.m. on the due date, it may be marked as late. This is why paying a day or two early is safer than waiting until the last day.
If you set up autopay, the payment will be deducted on the date you chose, and it will post within one to two business days after that. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is usually deducted on the next business day instead.
Troubleshooting Payment Problems
If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the AES Indiana login page. You'll be asked to verify your identity (usually by entering your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number or phone number on file). AES Indiana will send a password reset link to your email, and you can create a new password.
If a payment you made hasn't posted after two business days, log into your account and look for a confirmation number from when you submitted the payment. Call AES Indiana customer service with this number and the payment amount. They can look up the payment in their system and tell you whether it's still processing or if there was an error.
If you see a duplicate charge or a payment you didn't authorize, contact AES Indiana when ready. Explain what happened and provide your confirmation number. They can investigate and reverse the charge if it was an error. If you used a debit card and the charge was fraudulent, you can also dispute it with your bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my AES Indiana bill without creating an online account?
Yes. You can pay by phone by calling AES Indiana's customer service line and providing your account number and payment information. You can also mail a check to the address on your bill. Both methods take longer than online payment, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
What happens if I pay more than my bill amount?
The extra amount becomes a credit on your account. AES Indiana will explore it to your next bill, or you can request a refund. Check your account online or call customer service to see your current credit balance.
Can I change my autopay amount or date after I set it up?
Yes. Log into your account, find your autopay settings, and update the amount or date. Changes take effect on your next scheduled payment. If you need to stop autopay before the next payment, you can cancel it when ready through your account.
Is there a fee for paying my bill online?
No. AES Indiana does not charge a fee for online payments made from a bank account or debit card. Some banks charge a fee for ACH transfers, but most do not. Credit card payments through third-party processors typically cost 2 to 3 percent extra.
What if my payment is late?
AES Indiana may charge a late fee if your payment doesn't post by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. If you've already paid and it's late, contact customer service with your confirmation number to explain. Some late fees can be waived if it's your first late payment or if there was a processing error.