Your Tampa Electric bill contains several sections. Understanding each helps you verify accuracy and identify any issues.
Account Information Section
At the top of your bill, you'll find:
- Account number (10-12 digits)
- Service address
- Billing period dates
- Meter number and reading dates
Usage Summary
This section shows:
- Previous meter reading
- Current meter reading
- Total kWh consumed
- Comparison to same period last year
- Daily average usage
Charge Breakdown
TECO itemizes charges clearly:
- Customer Charge: Fixed monthly fee (~$11-12) regardless of usage
- Energy Charge: Per-kWh rate for electricity (varies by tier)
- Fuel Charge: Pass-through fuel costs (~3-5¢/kWh)
- Storm Protection Charge: Infrastructure hardening costs
- Environmental Cost Recovery: Emissions compliance costs
- Capacity Charge: Power plant investment recovery
- Taxes and Fees: State, county, and local taxes
How to Verify Your Bill
Follow these steps to check your TECO bill for accuracy:
- Verify Meter Reading: Subtract the previous reading from the current reading. This should match the kWh shown on your bill.
- Check the Rate: Multiply your kWh by the applicable rate. Remember that TECO uses tiered pricing.
- Verify Fuel Charges: Fuel charges should be kWh × current fuel rate.
- Check for Estimated Reads: If your bill shows "EST" or "Estimated," the reading wasn't actual.
- Compare to History: TECO bills show usage comparison to the same month last year.