FAQs

New service can easily be requested online. All information is available on our Start. Transfer. Stop. page.

A deposit can be refunded after 12 months of billing history with no more than two late payments. After this requirement is met, a member can expect to see their deposit credited to their electric account within three months.

If a member disconnects service within the 12 month period, the deposit is credited toward the final bill.

The PCRF – Power Cost Recovery Factor – is the amount charged each month to generate electricity. This charge comes directly from our power supplier, Brazos Electric Cooperative, and is not included in our base rate structure. It can change from month to month, based on the cost of the fuel used to generate electricity. The money collected through this fee is, penny-for-penny, only what is needed to recover the increase in power costs.

When you apply for and accept service, you become a member-owner of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Each member contributes a $25 membership fee, which is fully refundable when you leave the system. As a member-owner, you have the right attend the co-op’s annual meetings and to vote in the election of directors. Tri-County Electric Cooperative's bylaws fully explain your rights and responsibilities as a member-owner.

If you prefer the convenience of consistent monthly budgeting, the average payment plan may be for you. This plan is designed to help smooth out the seasonal swings in your electric bill.

To qualify for the average payment plan, you need 12 months of power usage with no more than two late payments. To sign up, or for more information, please call 817.444.3201.

Both electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities distribute electricity to end-users. The main difference is the business model. Electric co-ops are not-for-profit organizations, owned by their consumers, who are “members.” Investor-owned utilities are owned by stockholders, who may not be consumers of the electricity the company sells.

Cooperatives are set up to provide services at cost to their member-owners. Money made in excess of expenses is returned to the members in the form of patronage capital, or capital credits.

Yes, a member can schedule a payment through their online member portal or TCEC Connect. A payment must be scheduled on or before the due date.

On our current meter system, members cannot choose their bill due date. We have over 126,800 meters set up on cycles based on location within the service territory.

Almost all of our meters have been upgraded to two-way communicating “smart” meters, which send your data directly to the cooperative’s office. This system gives us the data we need to pinpoint problems, find and fix outages, and better distribute electrical power during bad weather events.

Information on Tri-County Electric Cooperative's Annual Meeting can be found here.

We no longer use District Meetings for director nominations. Learn more about director nominations here.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas sets certification boundaries for all of the state’s electric providers. Areas are either single-certified – giving a single utility the right to serve it – or dual- or triple-certified to allow for multiple providers. If you live in area that is dual- or triple-certified and you’re a Tri-County Co-op member, it’s because your developer, given a choice, opted to work with Tri-County Electric Co-op.

For existing service, Tri-County Electric Cooperative can connect service during the next business day after all account initiation requirements are met. For same-day connection, an additional $50.00 fee will apply.

If you are leaving the system and need to disconnect service, we can disconnect during the next business day.

A member may set up auto draft by completing the following steps:

1. Log in your online member portal here.
2. Click "Auto Draft Options"
3. Click "Setup new Draft"
4. Input your payment information.
5. Click "Submit"

If you do not have access to the online member portal, please contact our member services team by email at customer_service@tcectexas.com or by phone at 817-444-3201.

A Member may update their auto draft information by completing the steps below.

First, you must remove your draft by:

1. Log in your online member portal here.
2. Click "Auto Draft Options"
3. Click "Remove Draft"
4. Select the account for which you want to remove the draft
5. Click "Submit"

Then, you can set up a draft with your new information by:

1. Click "Setup new Draft"
2. Input your payment information.
3. Click "Submit"

Your updated auto draft information will appear under the Accounts tab.

If you do not have access to the online member portal, please contact our member services team by email at customer_service@tcectexas.com or by phone at 817-444-3201.

A member can set up for text and email notifications in the member portal by following these steps:

1. Log in to the member portal
2. Go to "Notifications"
3. Follow the steps on the page to set up your number and email.
   • Multiple numbers and emails can be set up for the accounts.
   • Each number and email must be verified before notifications will be sent.
4. Members can subscribe to notification types under "Manage Your Notifications"
   • "Billing" notifications are specific to billing and payment alerts for your electric account(s).
   • "Coop Special Messaging" notifications relate to special alerts related to your account, such as special weather or system maintenance.
5. Click "Submit"

For assistance or more information, please call 817.444.3201.

You can update your stored credit card information in their member portal by following these steps:

1. Account Management
2. Check “Remove stored credit card information”
3. Submit

This will remove any stored credit cards on your account.

For assistance or more information, please call 817.444.3201.

To update your mailing address, please call our Member Services department at 817.444.3201.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative provides a list of organizations that may offer payment assistance. 

A member does not have to be on location to connect or disconnect power.

Tri-County Electric Cooperative's system requires maintenance to provide reliable service. We will occasionally need to interrupt power to homes and business to safely perform system maintenance. We do our best to inform all affected members before the interruption. We appreciate your patience and understanding when we do have a planned outage.

Most temporary power interruptions are caused by equipment installed on our lines that is designed to detect faults and correct the condition before a full-scale outage occurs. Many of these temporary faults are caused by trees, or by animals like squirrels, birds or snakes, who get into the lines and cause short-circuits. Tri-County Electric Cooperative strives to provide reliable service to all our member-owners. If you experience interruptions on a regular basis, please call us so we can investigate your concerns.