MTE exists to make life better for our members. We understand how electricity brings you light, comfort, and connection. We also understand how important it is to remain affordable, reliable, safe. Our members often ask us questions about their bills, and we've compiled the most frequent ones below.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to us at 877-777-9020, by stopping at a local office, or through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Billing Questions
Your bill will clearly designate the due date. It will also indicate the amount your payment would be if you fail to pay by your due date (which includes a late fee of five percent of the first $250 owed, and one percent of any remaining amount over $250.
Failure to pay within 10 days from your due date subjects you to a possible disconnection of service. There will be a delinquent notice mailed to you and, if we have your correct phone number, you will receive an automated phone call notifying you of your delinquent bill status.
If your service is disconnected, you must:
- request reconnection by calling, coming to an MTE office, or paying online through myMTE;
- pay a reconnection fee;
- pay other fees if they apply, such as a returned check fee and/or a late payment fee;
- pay all past due amounts on your account;
Make these payments at an MTE area office between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, by check or credit card by phone 24/7, or through myMTE.
MTE offers options to help members manage their accounts. Depending on your preference and lifestyle, you can choose between budget billing, traditional, or PrePay. Take a look and see which one works best for you.
We do offer payment extensions to help our members that qualify. You can call our Contact Center at 877-777-9020 to set one up or discuss your specific situation. For members wanting to do it themselves or after our offices have closed, payment extensions can be set up on our automated system at 877-777-0215 or through the myMTE app or Web portal.
Yes. To sign up, register for myMTE to access your printed bill settings in your profile.
Bills are mailed out monthly in billing cycles. Meter reading route determines the date your bill is mailed and due.
We offer a number of payment options so you may choose what is convenient for you.
- Sign up to pay your bill automatically by bank draft at no charge.
- Use the return envelope provided with your bill.
- Make a payment by electronic check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover, or ATM/Debit cards over the phone by calling 1-877-777-0215 or online at www.mte.com.
- Cash payments can be made through MoneyGram or InComm Vanilla Direct.
- Drop the payment by our offices in Franklin, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, Mt. Juliet, Smyrna or Woodbury, where you can come inside or use the drive-through window during business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours, you may use the night depository boxes at the offices or at these other locations:
- MTE Headquarters
- Fairview City Hall
- Lebanon City Hall
Frequent Questions About High Bills
The greater the difference between the outdoor temperature and the temperature of your thermostat setting, the harder your HVAC system must work to maintain indoor temperatures. Heating and cooling account for more than half of a member's electric bill on average. Your HVAC unit runs longer during prolonged periods of cold or hot weather to keep the thermostat’s temperature constant.
To monitor your usage during peak winter or summer temperature periods or at any time, you can create an online account at mte.com/myMTE or download our app, myMTE.
Heat pumps are common in homes throughout the MTE service territory and are very efficient for most of the year. However, during extremely low temperatures, heat pumps frequently switch to auxiliary or emergency heat to help warm the home. When auxiliary or emergency heat is activated, it draws up to three times the amount of electricity.
A malfunctioning HVAC system or water heater, energy-inefficient appliances or poor insulation could lead to higher bills. An increase in remote work and school also raises average daily energy use.
You can also have a direct impact on your energy use and monthly bill by lowering the thermostat to 68 degrees; your heating costs could increase around 3% for every degree above 68.
Due to inflation and an increase in costs associated with electric infrastructure, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and MTE adjusted the energy-charge portion of rates upward on Oct.1, 2023. Prior to this, MTE hadn’t had a rate increase to benefit our own revenues in 15 years.
As a not-for-profit organization, Middle Tennessee Electric strives to keep our rates as low as possible for our members. As a result, MTE’s residential rates rank among the lowest in the nation - more than 25% below the national average.
MTE purchases virtually all our power from TVA, and about 80 cents of every dollar collected by MTE is paid to TVA for the power used by our members. The remaining 20 cents is used to operate the cooperative.
For more information about rates, visit mte.com/Rates.
Space heaters can heat small areas for short periods of time, but long-term use can lead to substantial energy consumption and cost. For example, a 1,500-watt space heater operating 12 hours per day will cost nearly $50 per month. If you are interested in additional information related to appliance consumption, visit https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/appliances-and-electronics/estimating-appliance-and-home.
*Please note, this calculator estimates at a higher rate than your cost from MTE.
Gas furnaces typically have electric-powered blowers to help move the hot air through the ductwork. During cold temperatures, gas furnaces run for long periods, meaning those blowers work longer and harder to maintain the desired temperature inside the home. Additionally, many people with gas heat use electric humidifiers during the extreme cold to help compensate for the extremely dry heat gas furnaces supply. This could add to increased energy consumption.
MTE aims to provide value to members by offering convenient options for billing and programs to increase energy efficiency. With MTE's myEnergyPlan program, options like Levelized, Fixed, Prepay and others are designed to fit any lifestyle and budget. Members are also able to select a billing due date with some of these options. MTE recommends the Levelized plan for members to help remove significant fluctuations in your monthly bill caused by extreme weather and high energy usage. Visit mte.com/MyEnergyPlan to select what works best for you.
MTE has energy assistance funds available to members who financially qualify through local community help agencies. A list of those agencies can be found at mte.com/CommunityEnergyAssistanceAgencies.
Our member support team is always available to help members determine their best options. Call 1-877-777-9020 for assistance.
MTE is constantly and consistently developing new ways and programs to help our members save money and understand their energy usage habits. Here are some useful site pages to help you learn ways to reduce your monthly bill or its impact on your monthly budget.
Energy Efficiency:
- mte.com/EnergyTips - Seasonal energy efficiency tips
- mte.com/EnergyServices - Find a program that fits your needs or talk to a trusted energy expert
- mte.com/HomeEnergyCheckups - Schedule an in-home visit with an energy services coordinator to review your energy consumption habits and home efficiency.
Account Management
- mte.com/myEnergyPlan - Customize a plan that works with your lifestyle and budget.
- mte.com/myMTE – Review your energy consumption analytics to improve your energy habits and home efficiency. You can also pay your bill and report outages.
Other Resources
- mte.com/CommunityEnergyAssistanceAgencies - Energy assistance funds for members who qualify. Members can apply through local community help agencies.