How to pay your NES bill online, by phone, or in person
Nashville Electric Service (NES) offers four main ways to pay your bill: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The fastest route is online at nes.org — you can pay immediately without waiting on hold, and the payment posts within one business day. If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call NES customer service at 615-747-3000 during business hours and pay over the phone with a debit or credit card.
For in-person payments, NES has drop boxes at several locations around Nashville where you can leave a check or money order 24 hours a day. You can also mail a check with your bill stub to the address printed on your bill. If you want to set up automatic payments so your bill is paid the same day each month, you can do that online or by calling customer service — this removes the risk of forgetting a due date and incurring a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment at nes.org is the fastest option and posts within one business day without any fees.
- Phone payments are available by calling 615-747-3000 during business hours, and you can pay with a debit or credit card.
- NES drop boxes accept checks and money orders 24 hours a day at multiple locations around Nashville.
- Setting up automatic payments prevents late fees and ensures your bill is paid on the same date each month.
- Late payments trigger a fee and may result in service disconnection if the account falls 30 days past due.
Paying online through the NES website
Go to nes.org and look for the "Pay My Bill" button on the homepage. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill statement. You can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you use a credit card, NES may charge a convenience fee (the amount varies depending on the card type); debit card and bank account payments have no fee.
After you enter your payment information, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you need to contact NES about the payment later. The payment posts to your account within one business day. If you pay after 5 p.m. on a Friday, it may not post until Monday.
Paying by phone or automatic payment
Call NES customer service at 615-747-3000. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with a debit or credit card over the phone. The call is free, but if you use a credit card, the same convenience fee applies as online. The payment posts within one business day.
To set up automatic payments, you can do it online at nes.org or ask a representative on the phone to enroll you. You choose the date each month when the payment comes out of your bank account or card. Automatic payments have no fee and remove the risk of a late payment. You can cancel automatic payments anytime by logging into your account online or calling customer service.
Paying by mail or at a drop box
If you pay by mail, write a check or money order for the amount shown on your bill. Include your bill stub with the payment and mail it to the address printed on your statement. NES recommends mailing payments at least 10 days before the due date to allow time for the mail to arrive. Payments received after the due date will be marked late even if you mailed them on time.
NES drop boxes are located at several sites around Nashville and accept checks and money orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You do not need to include your bill stub, but writing your account number on the check helps NES process it faster. Drop box payments typically post within two business days. Check the NES website for the drop box nearest you.
What happens if you miss a payment deadline
Your bill is due by the date printed on your statement. If payment does not arrive by that date, NES charges a late fee. The fee amount is set by NES and appears on your next bill. You will also see a notice on your bill that the account is past due.
If your account is 30 days past due, NES may disconnect your service without further notice. Before disconnection, NES will send you a disconnection notice in the mail. If you receive this notice, contact NES immediately at 615-747-3000 to make a payment or discuss a payment plan. Once service is disconnected, you must pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee to restore power.
Setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount
If you fall behind on your bill and cannot pay the full amount at once, contact NES customer service at 615-747-3000 to discuss a payment plan. A representative can work with you to set up a schedule for paying what you owe over several months. Payment plans help you avoid disconnection while you catch up.
To may have access to for a payment plan, you will typically need to make a down payment on the past-due amount and agree to pay the rest in installments. The exact terms depend on how much you owe and your payment history. If you are struggling with your bill due to a hardship like job loss or medical emergency, ask the representative about NES assistance programs that may be available in your area.
Understanding your bill due date and billing cycle
Your billing cycle is typically 30 days, and your due date is printed on the front of your bill statement. NES reads your meter once a month and sends you a bill for the electricity you used during that cycle. The due date is usually 18 to 21 days after the bill is issued. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the next business day.
Your bill shows the meter reading at the start and end of the billing cycle, the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) you used, and the total amount due. If you pay online or by phone, the payment must be received by the due date. If you pay by mail or drop box, NES recommends sending it at least 10 days early to account for mail delivery time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my NES bill online?
There is no fee if you pay with a debit card or bank account. If you use a credit card, NES charges a convenience fee that varies by card type. The fee is shown before you confirm the payment, so you can see the total cost.
Can I pay my bill after the due date without a late fee?
No. Any payment received after the due date printed on your bill will be marked late and a late fee will be added to your account. The fee appears on your next bill. If you know you will be late, contact NES at 615-747-3000 to discuss options before the due date.
What happens if I set up automatic payments and forget to cancel them?
The payment will continue to come out of your account on the date you chose each month. You can cancel automatic payments anytime by logging into your account online at nes.org or calling 615-747-3000. If you cancel, make sure to pay your next bill manually by the due date.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?
Online and phone payments post within one business day. Mail and drop box payments typically post within two business days. Payments made after 5 p.m. on a Friday may not post until Monday.
What should I do if my service is disconnected for non-payment?
Contact NES immediately at 615-747-3000. You will need to pay the full past-due amount plus a reconnection fee to restore service. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about a payment plan or assistance programs before service is cut off.