Introduction
When it comes to keeping the lights on and the furnace running, few things matter more than having a utility provider you can count on. For over 1.35 million customers spread across eight states, Black Hills Energy has been that steady presence delivering natural gas and electricity with a commitment that goes well beyond simply sending a monthly bill.
Whether you are a long-time customer trying to make sense of your payment options, a new homeowner setting up service for the first time, or a business owner looking for energy efficiency incentives, understanding how your utility operates can save you time, money, and a fair bit of frustration.
Black Hills Energy operates as the customer-facing arm of Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH), a growth-oriented utility company headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. The company serves residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial customers across Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
In recent corporate news, Black Hills Corp. has been advancing a merger with NorthWestern Energy an all-stock transaction that would bring the combined company’s reach to approximately 2.1 million customers across those same eight contiguous states.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about Black Hills Energy in 2026, from billing and payment options to customer support, rebate programs, safety protocols, and more.
Company Overview: Who Is Black Hills Energy?
Black Hills Energy is more than a name on your utility bill. The company traces its roots back to 1941 when it was founded in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. Today, it has grown into a vertically integrated energy provider that handles everything from power generation to natural gas distribution.
What sets Black Hills Energy apart in the utility space is its mission-driven approach. The company’s stated mission — “improving life with energy” — reflects a philosophy that goes beyond infrastructure. It is about being a community partner, not just a service provider. This is evident in the way the company has structured its customer programs, safety initiatives, and energy efficiency efforts across its entire service territory.
Service Territories at a Glance
Black Hills Energy provides both natural gas and electric services, though not every service type is available in every state. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Arkansas — Natural gas services
- Colorado — Both natural gas and electric services
- Iowa — Natural gas services
- Kansas — Natural gas services
- Montana — Electric services
- Nebraska — Natural gas services
- South Dakota — Electric services
- Wyoming — Both natural gas and electric services
This multi-state footprint means that program availability, rate structures, and rebate offerings can vary depending on where you live. The company addresses this by allowing customers to select their location on the website, tailoring the experience to the relevant service area.
Billing and Payment Options: Flexibility That Works
Managing your energy bill should not be a headache. Black Hills Energy has invested significantly in making the payment experience as straightforward as possible, with options designed to accommodate different preferences and financial situations.
Online Account Management
Creating an online account is the single most powerful step you can take to manage your relationship with Black Hills Energy. Through the online portal, customers can pay bills, monitor energy usage patterns, set up alerts, manage account details, and enroll in paperless billing. The dashboard provides a clear snapshot of your current balance, due date, and recent transaction history — all in one place.
For those who prefer not to create an account, the Guest Pay feature allows you to make a payment using either your account number or your name and address. This is particularly useful for tenants, property managers, or anyone who needs to make a one-time payment quickly.
Payment Methods
Black Hills Energy supports a broad range of payment methods, reflecting the reality that people handle their finances in different ways:
- Bank account (ACH) — Pay directly from your checking or savings account at no additional cost.
- Debit and credit cards — Major cards are accepted for those who prefer card-based payments.
- Digital wallets — PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Venmo are all supported, giving customers the convenience of paying from their smartphones.
- Automatic payments — Set up recurring payments and never worry about missing a due date again. You can choose the payment source that works best for you.
- Phone payments — Call customer service at 888-890-5554 to pay over the phone.
- Mail-in payments — Traditional check payments by mail remain available for those who prefer them.
- In-person payments — Authorized payment locations are available in many service areas.
Budget Billing
For customers who want more predictability in their monthly expenses, Black Hills Energy offers a Budget Billing program. This free payment plan averages your annual energy costs into equal monthly payments, smoothing out the seasonal spikes that come with harsh winters and hot summers. Instead of facing a \$300 gas bill in January and a \$40 bill in July, you pay a consistent amount every month. It is a simple concept that can make household budgeting significantly easier.
Payment Arrangements
Financial hardships happen, and Black Hills Energy has built flexibility into its system. Customers can now set up payment arrangements entirely online — no phone calls required. This self-service option allows you to break up a past-due balance into manageable installments, helping you stay on track without the stress of navigating a phone tree.
Energy Assistance Programs: Help When You Need It
Utility bills can be a significant burden, particularly for low-income households, seniors, and those facing unexpected financial challenges. Black Hills Energy participates in several assistance programs designed to help.
Black Hills Energy Affordability Program
This company-specific program provides direct assistance to qualifying customers. Eligibility is generally based on income level, and the program can offer meaningful relief for those who qualify. Customers can reach out to customer service at 888-890-5554 to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process.
LIHEAP and Additional Resources
Beyond company-specific programs, Black Hills Energy connects customers with the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and various state-level initiatives. These programs can provide both crisis assistance for immediate needs and ongoing support for qualifying households. Each state in the service territory administers these funds differently, so it is worth checking what is available in your specific location.
Customer Support: Getting the Help You Need
When something goes wrong — or even when you just have a question — knowing how to reach customer support makes all the difference.
Contact Information
The main customer service number for Black Hills Energy is 888-890-5554. The call center operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time. For non-urgent inquiries, customers can also reach support via email at [email protected].
Live phone support remains the fastest way to resolve billing questions, service issues, and account changes. The company has also expanded its digital support channels, including direct messaging through social media platforms like Facebook, which can be a convenient alternative for those who prefer text-based communication.
Emergency and Safety Contacts
For emergencies, the protocol is different — and for good reason:
- Natural gas odor or suspected leak: Evacuate the building or area immediately. Once you are safely away, call 911 first, then contact Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554.
- Downed power lines or damaged equipment: Stay away and call 888-890-5554 immediately. Never approach downed lines, even if they appear inactive.
- Power outages: Report outages through the online portal, the guest outage form, or by phone.
The company emphasizes that safety-related calls are handled as a priority, so do not hesitate to use these channels when there is a genuine safety concern.
Energy Efficiency and Rebates: Save Money While Saving Energy
One of the most valuable — and often overlooked — aspects of being a Black Hills Energy customer is access to the company’s efficiency and rebate programs. These programs are designed to help customers reduce energy consumption while offsetting the upfront cost of upgrades.
Residential Rebates
Black Hills Energy offers a variety of residential rebates, though availability varies by state and service type. Some highlights for 2026 include:
- Colorado Gas Rebates: Incentives for high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and smart thermostats. Customers can earn up to $25 through a virtual energy assessment that identifies additional savings opportunities.
- Colorado Electric Rebates: Rebates for heat pumps, air conditioners, insulation, and other efficiency upgrades.
- Nebraska HEAT Program: Earn rebates on qualifying natural gas furnaces, with amounts varying based on efficiency ratings. High-efficiency units with an AFUE rating of 80% or above may qualify.
- Iowa Residential Programs: Includes a $25 rebate for qualified upgrades installed within one year, plus virtual energy assessments conducted via mobile device.
- Arkansas Programs: Rebates for tankless water heaters (\$300), natural gas forced-air furnaces (\$400), and ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats (\$50).
Commercial Rebates
Business customers are not left out. Black Hills Energy offers commercial and industrial rebate programs, particularly in Colorado, where businesses can receive incentives for commonly installed efficiency projects. These programs can significantly reduce the payback period for lighting upgrades, HVAC improvements, and other energy-saving investments.
Solar Power Program
Black Hills Energy also supports renewable energy adoption through its Solar Power Program. For the 2023-2026 period, the company offers a performance-based incentive for solar installations, with an additional \$100 per kilowatt rebate available for paired battery storage systems on installations of 25 kW or smaller. This is a meaningful incentive for homeowners and small businesses considering solar-plus-storage solutions.
Safety: The Company’s Top Priority
Utility safety is not just a corporate talking point — it is a matter of life and death. Black Hills Energy takes this responsibility seriously, with comprehensive safety protocols covering everything from natural gas leak detection to wildfire prevention.
Natural Gas Safety
Natural gas is inherently safe when properly contained, but leaks pose a serious risk. The company adds a distinctive rotten-egg odor to natural gas (which is naturally odorless) specifically so that leaks are detectable. Customers should familiarize themselves with this smell and know exactly what to do if they encounter it: evacuate, call 911, and then notify Black Hills Energy.
Wildfire Safety and Public Safety Power Shutoffs
In response to the growing threat of wildfires, particularly in western service territories, Black Hills Energy has implemented an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. During extreme weather conditions — high winds combined with low humidity and dry vegetation — the company may proactively cut power to high-risk areas to prevent electrical equipment from sparking a fire.
The best way to stay informed about PSPS events is to keep your contact information updated in your online account. The company uses this data to send critical safety notifications and outage alerts directly to customers who may be affected.
Call Before You Dig
Whether you are planting a tree, installing a fence, or starting a major construction project, calling 811 before you dig is not optional — it is essential. This free service connects you with local utility locators who will mark underground lines, helping you avoid dangerous and costly accidents. In Black Hills Energy’s service territory, you can also call 800-922-1987 for safe digging information.
Outage Reporting and Preparedness
Power outages happen. Storms, equipment failures, and accidents can disrupt service with little warning. Black Hills Energy has streamlined the outage reporting process so customers can get back to normal as quickly as possible.
How to Report an Outage
The fastest way to report an outage is through the company’s online outage reporting system. Both account holders and guests can submit a report. The system collects essential information about the location and nature of the problem, helping crews respond efficiently. If online reporting is not an option, the 888-890-5554 customer service line handles outage reports as well.
Preparing for Outages
Black Hills Energy encourages customers to be proactive about outage preparedness. This includes assembling an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food. It also means keeping mobile devices charged when severe weather is forecast and having a plan for medical devices that rely on electricity.
For customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment, the company recommends registering with the medical baseline program if available in your area, which can provide additional notifications and prioritization during outages.
The Future of Black Hills Energy
The energy landscape is shifting rapidly, and Black Hills Energy is positioning itself to adapt. The pending merger with NorthWestern Energy represents a significant strategic move — one that would create a combined utility serving approximately 2.1 million customers across eight states. The all-stock transaction, which has been advancing through regulatory review, reflects an industry-wide trend toward consolidation aimed at improving operational efficiency and investment capacity.
Beyond corporate structure, Black Hills Energy continues to invest in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and customer-facing technology. The company’s 2026 capital expenditure plans include significant investments in infrastructure reliability, while programs like the Solar Power Program and the Choice Gas initiative demonstrate a willingness to give customers more options in how they consume energy.
Conclusion
Black Hills Energy may not be the largest utility company in the country, but for the 1.35 million customers it serves, it is an essential part of daily life. From the straightforward online account management tools to the robust rebate programs and the unwavering emphasis on safety, the company has built a service model that balances reliability with customer empowerment.
If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this: take advantage of the tools and programs available to you. Set up your online account. Explore whether budget billing makes sense for your household. Look into the rebates available in your state. And most importantly, keep the emergency number saved in your phone — because when it comes to utility safety, knowing what to do before a crisis hits can make all the difference.
Author Bio: A seasoned energy industry analyst and writer with over a decade of experience covering utilities, consumer advocacy, and residential energy efficiency programs across the United States.
