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Frequently Asked Questions
Billing | Cycle
Billing | Payment | Budget Payment Plans | Seasonal Rate
Billing Questions
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When do I receive my bill and when is it
due?
It depends on which cycle you are in, see cycle billing for additional
information.
What is the customer charge?
The customer charge is a monthly charge that changes only when your
rate classification changes. This is a minimum charge billed to
each meter location to amortize the cost of metering equipment,
service lines and other services that provide availability of electric
services.
What is the demand charge?
This is the monthly charge for highest kilowatt demand for any period
of 15 minutes during the billing period.
What is the energy charge?
This is the total amount of the charge for the electric energy (kWh)
used. This is calculated by multiplying the "usage kWh" by the energy
rate for the appropriate class of service.
What is the PCRF/FCA charge?
The PCRF/FCA (Power Cost Recovery Factor & Fuel Cost Adjustmment)
fuel charge is separated from other charges to indicate how much
of the bill is attributable to fuel required to make electricity.
The PCRF/FCA charge is not included in your base rate; this is calculated
monthly using a complex formula and is required by the Public Utility
Commission.
When should I read my meter?
Try to read your meter on or about the same date each month. That
way, you can monitor your electric usage from month to month more
closely. Do not forget to write the reading and the day you read
the meter on your payment stub.
What is the "Security Light"
charge?
This is the monthly charge for those members renting a security
light from the cooperative.
What is the "Other" charge?
This line may appear on your bill and is usually self-explanatory.
Some of the charges classified as "other" are: Past Due Amounts,
Credit Balance, Miscellaneous Fees, and others.
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Cycle Billing
When will I get my bill?
For one-fourth of consumers who are in cycle one and whose bills
are mailed the first week of the month. Bills for cycle two, three
and four are mailed during the second, third and fourth weeks of
each month, respectively. All MEC consumers, regardless of which
cycle they are assigned, have 16 (sixteen) days from their billing
date to their due date.
Can I have my billing cycle
changed?
Under certain circumstances your billing date can be moved forward
to another cycle. Contact your district office clerk to see if you
are eligible.
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Payment Questions
How do I pay my electric bill?
You may pay your electric bill by:
- Writing the current meter reading(s) and the date
of the reading(s) on the lower portion of the stub to be returned
with your payment.
- Enclosing a check or money order.
- Mailing in the payments in adequate time so that
your payment is received in Hondo on or prior to the due date.
- By calling 1-866-MEC-ELEC (1-866-632-3532) and completing a check or credit card payment by telephone.
Can I pay my bill at the District
Office?
Yes, MEC has five district offices
to serve the members.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes, for no additional charge you can pay your bill with a credit
card. You have three options:
- You can come into your local District Office,
- Fill out the lower left portion of the payment
stub,
- Have your account paid automatically every month, or
- By calling 1-866-MEC-ELEC (1-866-632-3532).
Can I have my payment automatically
drafted from my checking account or on a credit card?
Yes, for no additional charge you can set up your bill to be paid
automatically. Each month, the amount due on your bill would be
automatically withdrawn and paid directly to MEC. You will receive
a monthly statement from MEC to keep you informed of all transactions
to your account, and you mail in your monthly meter reading or call
the reading in using the balance
inquiry and meter reading number at 1-866-MEC-ELEC (1-866-632-3532). The transaction
will occur on the due date as shown on your monthly bill and will
appear on your personal bank statement as an ACH Debit Transaction.
If you are interested, please complete the draft
authorization form and return it to any of our offices. The
individual authorizing the draft must be the individual listed on
the signature card of your bank account. You may designate the month
you would like us to begin drafting your account, but please allow
at least two to four weeks prior to a billing date for us to process
and verify your account information.
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Budget Payment Plans
Payment Plan Requirements
- Member for at least one year is required.
- Available to accounts on the General Service Rate only.
- Must execute a Budget Payment Agreement.
- Cannot have broken a Budget Payment Agreement in the past 12 months.
- Monthly meter readings must be provided (agreement is void after three estimates).
- Payment must be received by due date (agreement is void if delinquent).
- Accounty must be paid in full prior to sign-up.
Levelized Payment - Type 1
Monthly budget payment is the average of the previous 12 months. Monthly budget payment is fixed for 12 months. A settle-up calculation will be made 12 months from sign-up or last settle-up.
Levelized Payment - Type 2
Monthly budget payment is the average of the previous 12 months. The monthly budget payment is fixed for 12 months. A carry-over calculation will be made 12 months from sign-up or last carry-over.
Average Payment
Monthly budget payment is the average of the previous 11 months plus the current month. Monthly budget payment fluctuates from month to month. There is not a settle-up or carry-over since current month's usage is included in monthly calculation.
Members who are interested in any of the plan or have any questions should contact their district office.
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Seasonal Rate
- Must have been a member for one year.
- Available year round.
- Annual prepayment will be based on previous 12 months actual usage.
- Account will be settled and new prepayment calculated 12 months from sign-up or last settlement.
- Account must be paid in full prior to sign-up.
- Available to accounts on the General Service Rate only.
- Members cannot have used more than 6,000 kWh in previous 12 months.
- Medina EC will read the meter when a reading is required and at the beginning of the prepayment period.
- Required meter reading fees will be added to the prepayment amount.
- Rate per kWh is fixed year round.
Members who are interesed in the seasonal rate or have any questions should contact their district office.
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