Hey there! Today I’m gonna talk about something that affects all Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative members – paying your electric bill. As New Jersey’s only electric cooperative, Sussex REC has created several convenient ways to handle your monthly payments. Let’s dive into all the options so you can find the method that works best for your lifestyle!
What is Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative?
Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative (SREC) is the only electric cooperative in New Jersey serving members throughout the Sussex County region. As a cooperative SREC is owned by its members rather than shareholders, which means they’re focused on providing reliable service at reasonable rates rather than maximizing profits.
We at SREC understand that paying your electric bill should be simple and hassle-free, That’s why we’ve developed multiple payment methods to accommodate different preferences and schedules
Traditional Bill Payment Methods
Some of us still prefer the traditional approach to bill payments and SREC totally respects that! Here are the conventional payment options available
Mail Your Payment
You can send your check through good ol’ regular mail. Just make sure to:
- Include your account number on your check
- Allow enough time for postal delivery before the due date
- Mail it to the SREC office address
In-Person Payments
If you’re the type who likes face-to-face interactions (or maybe just need an excuse to get out of the house), you can pay directly at the SREC office:
- Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Location: Sussex REC office
- Payment methods accepted: Check, cash, or electronic payment
After-Hours Drop Box
Running late or can’t make it during business hours? No worries! SREC maintains a secure payment drop box outside their office where you can deposit your payment any time, day or night. This is super helpful for those with busy schedules.
Modern Digital Payment Options
For those of us who prefer to handle everything electronically (and who doesn’t these days?), SREC offers several digital payment options:
Online Bill Pay Portal
The SREC Bill Pay site at www.srecbillpay.com is your one-stop shop for managing your electric account online. Once you create an account, you can:
- View your current and past bills
- Monitor your energy usage patterns
- Make one-time payments
- Set up recurring payments
- Change your billing preferences
Quick Pay Feature
In a hurry and don’t want to log in? The Quick Pay feature is perfect for you! Just:
- Visit the Sussex REC website (www.sussexrec.com)
- Click the “Quick Pay” button visible on any page
- Enter your account information
- Complete your payment
The Quick Pay platform accepts multiple payment methods including:
- Visa
- MasterCard
- American Express
- Discover
- Google Pay
- PayPal
- E-check (without convenience fees!)
Pay by Phone
Not comfortable with computers or just prefer talking to someone? No problem! You can pay by phone by calling the SREC office. They’ll transfer you to their secure payment system where you can:
- Pay using your credit card (subject to a convenience fee)
- Pay using your checking account (with no additional fees)
Smart Payment Options to Save Time and Hassle
We all lead busy lives, and sometimes remembering to pay bills can slip through the cracks. SREC offers several automated solutions to make sure you never miss a payment:
Auto Pay
With Auto Pay, you’ll never have to worry about due dates again! Once enrolled:
- Your payment is automatically deducted from your bank account
- Payments are processed on the bill’s due date
- No convenience fees or additional charges apply
- You’ll still receive bill notifications so you can monitor your usage
Scheduled Payments
Maybe you’re not ready for full automation but want to plan ahead? The scheduled payment option allows you to:
- Select a specific future date for your payment to be processed
- Schedule multiple payments in advance if desired
- Maintain control over when money leaves your account
Pay by Text
For the text-message generation (which is practically everyone now), SREC offers a Pay by Text option:
- Receive text alerts when your bill is ready
- Pay directly through a secure text message link
- Get confirmation when your payment is processed
Paperless Billing
Save some trees and reduce clutter by opting for paperless billing:
- Receive email notifications when your bill is ready
- Access your bill electronically anytime
- Maintain a digital record of your payment history
- Help SREC reduce paper waste and processing costs
Important Fee Information
It’s worth noting that while SREC tries to keep costs low, some payment methods do incur fees:
- Credit card payments (online or by phone): 3.5% convenience fee ($1.95 minimum) charged by the credit card merchants
- E-check/checking account payments: No additional fees! This is your most economical option.
These fees aren’t imposed by SREC itself but by the payment processors they work with. The cooperative passes these costs directly to members who choose these convenience options rather than spreading them across the entire membership.
Need Help With Your Bill?
Sometimes life happens, and paying bills becomes challenging. If you’re experiencing difficulty paying your electric bill, SREC encourages you to contact them directly at [email protected]. They may be able to:
- Discuss payment arrangements
- Provide information about available assistance programs
- Work with you to find solutions before service interruption occurs
Why Choose Electronic Payment Methods?
There are several benefits to using SREC’s electronic payment options:
- Convenience – Pay anytime, anywhere, without stamps or trips to the office
- Security – Digital transactions are encrypted and secure
- Record-keeping – Easy access to payment history for your records
- Environmental impact – Reduce paper waste and carbon footprint
- Peace of mind – Automated options ensure you never miss a payment
Tips for Managing Your SREC Account
Beyond just paying your bill, here are some handy tips for managing your Sussex Rural Electric account:
- Keep contact info updated – Make sure SREC has your current phone number and email address so they can reach you with important service information
- Monitor your usage – Use the online portal to track your electricity consumption patterns
- Consider budget billing – If available, this option averages your annual usage for more consistent monthly bills
- Sign up for alerts – Get notifications about outages, bill due dates, and other important information
- Take advantage of energy-saving programs – SREC offers various programs to help members reduce their electricity usage
More Than Just Billing
As a cooperative, SREC is more than just an electricity provider – they’re part of the community. They offer various programs beyond just bill payment:
- Appliance rebates
- Medical alert program
- ETS heat options
- Surge protection
- Community involvement initiatives
- Scholarship programs
- Youth leadership opportunities
Final Thoughts
Paying your Sussex Rural Electric bill doesn’t have to be a hassle. With so many convenient options available, you can choose the method that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Whether you prefer the traditional approach of mailing a check or the convenience of digital payment methods, SREC has you covered. And remember, if you ever have questions about your bill or payment options, their customer service team is just an email or phone call away.
As a member-owned cooperative, SREC is committed to making your experience as simple and convenient as possible. After all, they’re not just your electricity provider – they’re your neighbors too!
Have you tried any of these payment methods? Which one works best for your lifestyle? Feel free to share your experiences or questions in the comments below!

PAY with SmartHub App
Visit the app store to download your NEW mobile and web SmartHub app. SmartHub has several features that make managing your account as easy as possible. Whether through the web, your smartphone or tablet (Android or iOS), you’ll be able to pay your bill, view your usage, contact member service and get the latest news. Click the link below for more details or to sign-up for SmartHub.
Click Here For more information about Smarthub.
To log in to your Smarthub account, click here!
Call (833) 539-9655 to access our interactive voice response pay-by-phone system. Press Option 1 (if you’ve already created a PIN) to pay with your credit card or check. To create or update your PIN press Option 3. You may also use this system to inquire about your account, sign up, cancel or update autopay, create or update pin number or update your phone number.
You can have funds automatically deducted from your checking, savings or credit card each month. No more writing checks, paying postage or worrying about late fees! Your electric bill deducts automatically from your bank account or credit card on the due date. You will receive your monthly electric bill electronically or by mail. Sign-up through the NEW SmartHub app account management tool or the automated pay-by-phone system by calling (833) 539-9655.
Click Here to visit our website for more SmartHub details.
ONLINE BILL PAYMENT SYSTEM
Don’t want to create a SmartHub account now? Click here to access Pay Now to quickly pay on an account.
Mail your payment using the envelope and statement stub to the address below:
BUCKEYE REC PO BOX 200 RIO GRANDE, OH 45674
During office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Monday through Friday (except holidays), or after hours – use our night deposit drop-box located at the drive through.
Rio Grande Office is located at 4848 St. Rt. 325 South, Patriot, Ohio.
- All locations of Hocking Valley Bank in Athens
- Hocking Valley Bank, East Washington St., in Albany
- Hocking Valley Bank, North Plains, in The Plains
- Peoples Bank in Middleport and Pomeroy
- Liberty Federal Savings Bank, 7510 County Road 107, Proctorville
- Liberty Federal Savings Bank, 314 Park Ave, Ironton
VanillaDirect Pay **NEW**
We’re excited to introduce VanillaDirect Pay, our newest, convenient way to pay your bill with cash. Pay your BREC bill with cash at any of these local retailers: Dollar General, Family Dollar, CVS Pharmacy, Speedway, and 7-Eleven. Visit www.vanilladirect.com to find other participating locations. Show your barcode located on your paper bill or in your SmartHub account at the register. The cashier will scan the barcode and then take your payment which will be credited to your account immediately.
You can also pay your electric bill (cash only) at WALMART, KROGER AND MANY OTHER LOCATIONS through CheckFreePay’s many locations. Visit www.checkfreepay.com and select the tab to “Find a Payment Location to obtain a list of CheckFreePay’s agents near you.
DO NOT remit payments by mail or pay for delinquent bills at any pay station. Your payment may not reach our office in time to prevent disconnection for nonpayment and associated fees.
Watts It About – Paperless Billing
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