FAQs

Find everything you need to know to set up Residential service here.

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.

Power Cost Recovery Factor is the amount of money charged to generate electricity from our power supplier, Brazos Electric Cooperative, that was not included in our rate base structure. PCRF can change from month to month, based on the cost of the fuel used to generate electricity. The money collected for PCRF is on a penny for penny basis, which means we only collect the amount needed to recover the increase in power costs.

When you apply and accept service you become a member-owner of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Each member contributes a $25.00 membership fee, which is fully-refundable when a member leaves the system. As a member-owner, you have the right to vote and Annual Meeting and District Meeting, as well as elect members to the Board of Directors. Tri-County Electric Cooperative's bylaws fully explain your rights and responsibilities as a member-owner.

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

To qualify for the average payment, a member needs 12 months of kWh usage and no more than two late payments. To sign up or for more information, please call 817.444.3201.

Electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities distribute electricity to end-users. The main difference between the two entities is in the business model. Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations while investor-owned utilities are owned by stockholders who may not be consumers of the provider. 

Cooperatives are set up to provide services at cost to 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.

We are in the process of upgrading our meters to two-way communicating smart meters. Smart meters are read from the cooperative office. The old meters are read electronically using hand-held devices by driving routes throughout the service territory.

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 electric providers in Texas. Certifications are either single-certified to a single utility provider or dual-certified/triple-certified to multiple providers. If you live in area that is dual-certified or triple-certified, your developer chose to work with Tri-County Electric Cooperative. 

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.

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

1. Account Management
2. Check Removed 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 provide members with payment assistance. Click here for a list of community assistance agencies.

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.

The majority of temporary power interruptions are caused by equipment installed on our power lines to detect faults and correct the condition before an outage can occur. Many of these temporary faults are caused by trees or animals, like squirrels, birds and snakes. Tri-County Electric Cooperative strives to provide reliable service to all our member-owners. If you experience any momentary interruptions on a regular basis, please contact us so we can investigate your concerns.