Understanding Your Bill

When you pay your bill each month, do you know exactly what goes into your bill?

Understanding the charges on your electric bill can help you save money by monitoring your exact energy usage. Below, we will examine an actual electric bill and explain the information found on your billing statement.

1. Account Information

This section provides your Tri-County EMC (TCEMC) account number and map location. For faster service, reference this number when communicating with your co-op.

2. Meter Reading

Provides information that is specific to your service location including your current and previous meter readings and current kilowatt hour (kWh) usage for the month.

3. Charges Detail

Provides an itemized list of your current charges for services.

  • Basic Facilities Charge: The Facility Charge, paid by all co-op members, is a fixed amount that covers those monthly costs incurred by the Cooperative associated with having service available to the membership. The facility charge covers the cost of fixed charges that include but are not limited to; cable, poles, meters, transformers, substations, and maintenance. These costs occur monthly and have no relationship to the amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used by a particular member. The kWh charge recovers all of the costs associated with energy used and is based on the number of kilowatt-hours used. All electric utilities have a facility charge.
  • Other Charges: This section of your bill could include your yard light, flood light or street light fee.
  • State Tax: NC sales tax collected on the sales of goods and services (currently 7%).
  • Round Up: Amount your bill is rounded to the next highest dollar where funds are placed in an account administered by the Operation Round-Up Program.

4. Billing Summary

Provides an overview of charges incurred, payments received during the billing period of your electric charges and total amount due.

5. kWh Usage History

This chart helps you visualize any trends in your monthly energy usage over the past 13 months.

6. Remittance Stub

The remittance stub indicates your map location, account number, bill due date, and total amount due. Please return the stub along with your payment and any previous unpaid balance to the address shown.

Download a sample bill with all the terms explained.

Tri–County EMC Sample Bill (PDF)

Understanding Your Rates

All electric service is subject to the Cooperative’s Rate Schedules and Service Rules and Regulations.

Download Tri-County EMC Rate Schedules.

Tri–County EMC Electric Rates (PDF)