DOMINION ENERGY Charge — What Is It and How to Get a Refund

Understanding the Dominion Energy Charge on Your Bank Statement

If you've noticed a charge labeled DOMINION ENERGY, DOMINION ENERGY VA, DOMINION POWER, or a similar descriptor on your bank or credit card statement, this guide will help you understand what the charge represents, why it appeared, and how to manage or dispute it if necessary.

What Is Dominion Energy?

Dominion Energy is one of the largest energy companies in the United States, providing electric and natural gas service to millions of customers across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming, and other states. The company operates power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, delivering reliable energy to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Dominion Energy charges customers monthly for electricity and gas usage, along with applicable taxes, fees, and service charges. Payments can be made via automatic bank draft, credit card, online portal, or traditional mail.

Common Reasons for a Dominion Energy Charge

1. Monthly Utility Bill Payment

The most common reason for a Dominion Energy charge is your monthly electric or gas bill. Residential bills typically range from $80 to $150 per month for average usage, though costs vary widely based on:

• Household energy consumption (heating, cooling, appliances)
• Seasonal demand (higher bills in summer and winter)
• Current energy rates and fuel costs
• Service area and rate plan

2. Automatic Recurring Payment (AutoPay)

If you enrolled in Dominion Energy's automatic payment program (AutoPay), your monthly bill is automatically charged to your bank account or credit card on the due date. This charge recurs each billing cycle (typically monthly) based on your actual usage or budget billing amount.

3. Security Deposit or Connection Fee

When establishing new service with Dominion Energy, customers may be required to pay a security deposit (typically $200-$500) or a one-time connection fee. This deposit is held by Dominion Energy and may be refunded or credited to your account after a period of on-time payments (usually 12-24 months).

4. Late Payment Fee or Reconnection Charge

If your utility bill was paid late, you may incur a late payment fee (typically $10-$25). If service was disconnected due to non-payment and you request reconnection, a reconnection fee (usually $25-$75) will be charged to restore service.

5. Budget Billing Adjustment or True-Up

Dominion Energy offers budget billing, which averages your annual energy costs into equal monthly payments. At the end of the budget billing year (typically 12 months), Dominion Energy performs a 'true-up' to reconcile your actual usage with your estimated payments. This may result in a larger charge if you used more energy than projected, or a credit if you used less.

6. High-Usage Bill During Peak Season

Electric bills often spike during summer (air conditioning) and winter (heating) months when energy consumption is highest. A charge of $200-$300+ may appear during peak seasons if your usage significantly exceeds your average.

7. Billing Error or Duplicate Charge

Occasionally, payment processing errors, duplicate charges, or incorrect meter reads can result in unexpected or incorrect charges. If you see multiple charges for the same billing period or an unusually high amount, this may indicate a billing issue.

How to Verify Your Dominion Energy Charge

To confirm the details of your Dominion Energy charge:

• Log in to your account: Visit dominionenergy.com and sign in to view your current and past bills, payment history, and usage details.
• Check your email or mail: Dominion Energy sends monthly bills via email (if you're enrolled in paperless billing) or postal mail.
• Call customer service: Contact Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357 and provide your account number or service address to request billing details.
• Review your meter: Check your electric or gas meter reading to compare with the reading listed on your bill.

How to Dispute a Dominion Energy Charge

Step 1: Review Your Bill and Usage History

Before disputing a charge, log in to your Dominion Energy account or review your paper bill to check:

• Billing period dates and meter readings
• Usage (kWh for electric, therms for gas) compared to previous months
• Any fees, adjustments, or credits listed on the bill
• Whether the bill was based on actual or estimated usage

Step 2: Contact Dominion Energy Customer Service

If you believe your bill is incorrect, contact Dominion Energy:

• Phone: 1-866-366-4357
• Online: dominionenergy.com/customer-service

Explain the issue and provide:

• Your account number and service address
• The billing period and charge amount in question
• Any supporting evidence (photos of meter reading, prior bills, etc.)

Common disputes include:

• Incorrect meter reading (request a re-read)
• Estimated billing instead of actual usage
• Duplicate charges or payment processing errors
• Unexpected fees or rate changes

Step 3: Request a Formal Investigation or Meter Test

If Dominion Energy does not resolve your dispute, you can request a formal investigation or meter accuracy test. Dominion Energy will send a technician to inspect your meter and verify its accuracy. If the meter is found to be faulty, your bill will be adjusted accordingly.

Step 4: File a Complaint with Your State Utility Commission

If Dominion Energy does not satisfactorily resolve your dispute, you can escalate the issue to your state's utility regulatory commission:

• Virginia: Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
• North Carolina: North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC)
• South Carolina: South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC)
• Other states: Contact your state's utility regulatory authority

File a formal complaint describing the billing issue, your communication with Dominion Energy, and any evidence supporting your claim.

Step 5: Dispute the Charge with Your Bank

If Dominion Energy charged your bank account or credit card incorrectly and refuses to issue a refund, you can file a chargeback dispute with your financial institution. Provide:

• Documentation of the disputed charge
• Correspondence with Dominion Energy
• Your bill and payment history

Most banks allow chargebacks within 60-120 days of the transaction date.

Preventing Future Dominion Energy Billing Issues

To avoid unexpected Dominion Energy charges:

• Monitor your usage: Check your energy consumption regularly through your online account or smart meter.
• Set billing alerts: Enable email or text alerts for bill due dates and high usage.
• Review your bill each month: Verify meter readings, usage, and charges before the due date.
• Enroll in budget billing: Spread your annual costs evenly across 12 months to avoid seasonal spikes.
• Inspect your meter: Ensure your meter is accurate and report any discrepancies immediately.
• Update payment methods: Keep your AutoPay bank account or card information current to avoid failed payments and late fees.

Conclusion

A Dominion Energy charge on your bank statement typically represents your monthly electric or natural gas utility bill, security deposit, or other service-related fee. By understanding your billing cycle, usage patterns, and available dispute options, you can manage your energy costs effectively and resolve any billing errors. If you encounter issues, contact Dominion Energy customer service or your state utility commission for assistance.