Frequently Asked Questions

A. The average residential customer, who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month, will see their monthly bill rise to $120.86 beginning Jan. 1. That's 2 percent more than customers pay today. Bills will remain significantly below the national average and among the lowest in Florida.

A. This increase will light the way for a brighter future. These funds will be invested in significant improvements to reduce carbon emissions with major projects that transition our power plants away from coal to lower carbon-emitting fuels and generate more renewable energy. This helps improve fuel generation efficiency, lowering fuel costs on customer bills, as well as reduce carbon to an amount equal to the removal of more than 1 million cars from local roadways by 2023. We will also improve reliability while staying at pace with the demands of a growing population, offer energy-efficiency programs that save customers money and benefit the environment, offer improved outage detection and restoration capabilities through smart technology, replace streetlights and area lights with smart LED technology throughout our service areas and make digital enhancements that give the customer more convenience and choice.

A. Yes, we are empathetic to customers who are facing hardships, which is why we developed programs and partnerships to offer utility bill payment support for those in need. Whenever possible, Tampa Electric offers flexible payment extensions for many customers, allowing them more time to pay their bills.

With funds from shareholders, TECO donated $1 million to customers in need through bill credits and another $1 million to COVID-19 relief in 2020, including $500,000 to the Share program, which is administered by the Salvation Army.

The Share program helps customers in need pay their electric or natural gas bills. To determine whether you qualify to receive assistance as a Share recipient, please contact your local Salvation Army office. If you'd like to donate to the program, every dollar donated goes directly to helping a neighbor in need. No portion of your contribution is used for fundraising or administrative costs. For every contribution made, Tampa Electric will match it dollar-for-dollar.

To help save energy and money, Tampa Electric offers about 40 energy-efficiency programs and money-back rebates to help customers. For a comprehensive list of available programs and rebates, please visit our Save Energy section.

A. If circumstances make it impossible to pay your electric bill by the date due, Tampa Electric will discuss the possibility of granting a payment extension. Certain guidelines apply. To request a payment arrangement, please log in to tecoaccount.com and click on Your Account, followed by Payment Options to complete our payment arrangement request form.

A. If you or someone you are caring for needs advice or financial assistance with their electric bills, the following organizations may be able to help:

• Florida 2-1-1 Network
• Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP)
• FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program
• Share
• Additional resources are available on our payment support page

A. Currently, Tampa Electric's residential customers pay $118.07 for 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month. That is the second-lowest bill among Florida's investor-owned utilities. Even with this increase, our bills will remain among the lowest in the state and well below the national average.

A. Tampa Electric offers about 40 energy-efficiency programs and money-back rebates to help customers save on their electric bill. A free energy audit will help you understand how better to save energy around your home. For a comprehensive list of available programs and rebates, please visit our Save Energy section.