The fastest way to pay Black Hills Energy is through their online account portal at www.blackhillsenergy.com

Log in with your account number and password, then select "Pay My Bill" from the menu. You can pay immediately with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The payment posts the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on a business day. If you pay after that time or on a weekend, it will post the next business day.

You do not need to create a new account if you already receive bills from Black Hills Energy. Your login credentials are on your paper bill or in any email they have sent you. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page — they will send a reset link to your email address on file.

Paying online through their portal costs nothing extra. There is no convenience fee, and you can set up a one-time payment or recurring automatic payments that deduct from your bank account on the same date each month.

Key Takeaways

  • Black Hills Energy's online payment portal at www.blackhillsenergy.com accepts debit cards, credit cards, and bank account transfers with no extra fee.
  • Payments made before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on business days post the same day; weekend and after-hours payments post the next business day.
  • You can set up automatic monthly payments from your bank account to avoid late fees and missed due dates.
  • Mailed checks should be sent to the address on your bill and take 7 to 10 business days to post, so mail early if your due date is near.
  • If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact Black Hills Energy before the deadline to discuss payment plans or hardship programs.

Paying by mail or phone if you do not have online access

Write a check or money order and mail it to the address printed on your bill. Include your account number on the check. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send it at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.

You can also pay by phone by calling the customer service number on your bill. Have your account number and payment method ready. Phone payments are processed the same day if you call before 5 p.m. Mountain Time on a business day.

Some Black Hills Energy offices accept in-person payments at their local service centers. Check their website for the address and hours of the office nearest you. Bring your bill or account number and your payment method.

Understanding your bill due date and late fees

Your due date appears on the front of your paper bill, usually 15 to 20 days after the bill is issued. If you pay after the due date, Black Hills Energy charges a late fee. The amount varies by state and service territory, but typically ranges from a flat fee to a percentage of your balance.

If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Black Hills Energy extends the deadline to the next business day. Payments made on the due date or before are never late, even if you mail them and they arrive a few days later — what matters is when you send them, not when they arrive.

If you are struggling to pay by the due date, do not wait. Contact Black Hills Energy before the deadline. Many states require utilities to offer payment plans that spread your balance over several months, and some offer hardship programs for customers with low income or temporary financial difficulty.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates

Log into your Black Hills Energy account online and look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" in the billing section. You can choose to pay the full bill amount each month or a fixed amount you set yourself. The payment will deduct from your bank account on the date you choose, usually around the due date.

Automatic payments are free and take effect the month after you set them up. You can change the payment amount or the date anytime, and you can cancel autopay at any time without penalty. If your bill amount changes significantly — for example, if you move or your usage spikes — you can adjust the fixed payment amount or switch back to manual payments.

Autopay is especially useful if you travel, work irregular hours, or simply want to remove the risk of forgetting a due date. Even if you set up autopay, check your bill each month to make sure the amount is correct and the payment posted.

What to do if you cannot pay the full amount by the due date

Contact Black Hills Energy before your due date, not after. Call the number on your bill and explain your situation. Do not ignore the bill or wait for a disconnect notice — utilities are required to work with you before they shut off service.

Most states require Black Hills Energy to offer a payment plan that lets you pay your balance in installments over time, usually 3 to 12 months. You will still owe the full amount plus any late fees already charged, but you avoid disconnect and can spread the cost across multiple paychecks.

Some states and some Black Hills Energy service areas also offer hardship programs for customers with low income or a temporary crisis like job loss or medical emergency. These programs may reduce or forgive part of your bill, but they have income limits and other requirements. Ask about them when you call — the customer service representative can tell you whether you may be may be able to access based on your situation.

Checking your payment history and account balance

Log into your online account to see your current balance, due date, and a list of all payments you have made in the past 12 to 24 months. The portal shows the date each payment was received and posted, which is useful if you are disputing a late fee or checking whether a mailed check arrived.

If you do not have online access, call customer service and ask them to read your account to you. They can tell you your current balance, due date, and the status of any recent payments. Keep a record of the date and time you called and the name of the representative, in case you need to reference the conversation later.

Review your payment history at least once a year to make sure all payments posted correctly. If a payment is missing or shows the wrong amount, contact Black Hills Energy immediately with your proof of payment — a cancelled check, a bank statement, or a receipt from an in-person payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Black Hills Energy charge a fee to pay online with a credit card?

No. Paying through their website with a debit card or credit card costs nothing extra. Some third-party payment processors charge a fee, but Black Hills Energy's own portal does not. Always pay through www.blackhillsenergy.com to avoid unnecessary charges.

What happens if I pay late?

Black Hills Energy charges a late fee, which varies by state and service area. After 30 to 45 days of non-payment, they may send a disconnect notice warning you that service will be shut off if you do not pay. You have a few days to pay or contact them about a payment plan before the disconnection happens.

Can I pay someone else's Black Hills Energy bill?

Yes. You can pay online using their account number, or you can mail a check with their account number written on it. If you are paying by phone, have their account number ready. The payment will post to their account regardless of whose name or payment method you use.

How long does it take for a mailed payment to show up on my account?

Mail typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive at Black Hills Energy's office, and another 1 to 2 business days to post to your account. Send mailed payments at least two weeks before your due date to make sure they arrive in time. If your due date is sooner, pay online or by phone instead.

What should I do if I think a payment posted to the wrong account?

Call Black Hills Energy customer service immediately with your account number and the date and amount of the payment. Have proof of payment ready — a receipt, bank statement, or cancelled check. They can search their system and correct the error if it happened on their end.