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 temperature difference between the outdoors and your thermostat setting, the harder your HVAC system works 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 up with the temperature.
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.
A common misconception during the high-bill season is that rates increase so the cooperative can make money. MTE is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative and has rates approximately 25% lower than the national average. In fact, 80 cents of every dollar collected by MTE is paid to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for the power used by our members. The remaining 20 cents is used to operate the cooperative.
Heat pumps are common in homes throughout the MTE service territory and are very efficient the majority of the year. However, during extremely low temperatures, heat pumps 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. Your heating costs could increase 3% for every degree above 68.
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.
Space heaters can be used to heat small areas for short amounts 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 periods of cold temperatures, gas furnaces run for long periods of time, 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's rates are about 25% below the national average. Our full rate structure can be viewed at mte.com/Rates.
MTE operates in a not-for-profit capacity and passes through rate increases set forth by our wholesale power supplier, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA's rates follow a seasonal pattern (winter, transition, or summer) and included the fuel cost associated with generating the electricity. Over recent years, fuel costs have decreased to keep the overall rate MTE members pay fairly stable.
MTE works hard to control costs and has not required a rate increase for our operations in over 10 years. Your cooperative will continue to work with TVA in order to ensure that rates remain as low as possible for our members.
Yes, we have several options for our members, including payment arrangements, installments, prepay or traditional billing and fixed or variable budget billing. Members also have the option to change their bill due date to a date that works best with their household budget.
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 the options best for them.
MTE is constantly and consistently developing new ways for members to save money, understand their energy usage habits, and create programs to meet our members' needs. 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/Tips - Seasonal energy efficiency tips
- mte.com/EnergyServices - Find a program that fits your needs or talk to a trusted energy expert
- mte.com/HomeEnergyCheckup - Schedule an in-home visit by an energy services coordinator to review your energy consumption habits and home efficiency.
Account Management
- mte.com/BillingOptions - Change how your billed to reduce the impact your energy bill has on your monthly budget