Exploring Central Texas Electric Co-op’s Convenient Bill Pay Options

Paying your monthly electric bill to Central Texas Electric Cooperative (CTEC) is easier than ever thanks to their variety of bill pay options. As a CTEC member myself I appreciate how they make paying my bill quick and convenient each month. In this article, I’ll walk through the numerous ways CTEC allows members like us to pay our electric bills. Whether you prefer paying online over the phone, by mail or in person, CTEC has a payment method that will work for you.

Online Bill Pay Through SmartHub

One of the easiest ways to pay your CTEC electric bill is through SmartHub, their online account management system You can pay your bill directly on the SmartHub website or through the SmartHub mobile app

To get started with SmartHub online bill pay, first create your online SmartHub account at ctec.smarthub.coop/ui/. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes. Through SmartHub you can view your monthly electric usage, see your current balance, make a payment and much more.

Once your SmartHub account is set up, paying your CTEC bill online is a breeze. You can pay directly from your checking or savings account for free. CTEC also accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover card payments through SmartHub, with a small convenience fee applied.

The great thing about SmartHub is you can save your payment accounts for future use. I love the convenience of having my checking account stored in SmartHub so I can log in each month and quickly pay my electric bill in just a few clicks.

You can also set up recurring payments through SmartHub so your CTEC bill is paid automatically each month. No more worrying about missing payment deadlines!

One-Time Online Payment Without Registration

If you don’t want to create a full SmartHub account, CTEC offers a one-time online payment option without registration. Just go to ctec.smarthub.coop and click on the “Pay Now” button.

You’ll be prompted to enter your CTEC account number and the amount you owe. Make your one-time CTEC payment easily and be on your way. It’s great for those rare occasions when you need to pay your electric bill online but don’t have time for a lengthy registration process.

Recurring Bank Draft

For ultimate bill pay convenience, sign up for a recurring monthly bank draft or credit card draft. CTEC will automatically withdraw your electric bill payment each month so you don’t have to think about it.

You can enroll in CTEC’s recurring draft program through SmartHub or by mailing in a draft authorization form. Drafts can be made from your checking account, savings account or credit card. For credit card drafts, Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards are accepted.

CTEC offers two monthly draft dates to choose from:

• Bills due on the 5th are drafted on the 3rd
• Bills due on the 20th are drafted on the 17th

Having your electric bill automatically drafted each month gives you reliable, hassle-free bill pay. You’ll never miss another payment deadline or accrue late fees again.

Pay Through Your Bank

Many banks and credit unions allow you to pay bills directly through their online banking and mobile apps. Check with your financial institution to see if this is an option.

Setting up CTEC as a payee through your bank’s bill pay system is easy. You’ll be able to securely pay your electric bill online or through your bank’s app. Payments are delivered electronically so they post to your CTEC account quickly.

Online bill pay through your bank is a simple, convenient way to ensure your CTEC electric bill is paid on time each month.

Pay at Cash Payment Locations

If you prefer paying your CTEC bill with cash, you have plenty of payment location options. Just look on your monthly CTEC billing statement for a payment barcode. Take the barcode to any of these cash payment locations:

• Dollar General
• Family Dollar
• Walmart
• Walgreens
• CVS
• HEB
• Participating convenience stores

You can also use cash payment kiosks at retailers like Walmart, CVS, and 7-Eleven by selecting Central Texas EC as the payee. Enter your CTEC account number and barcode number when prompted. Insert your cash and get a receipt showing your payment was made.

With so many cash bill pay choices, CTEC makes it easy to pay in person with cash. No bank account, credit card or checks required.

Pay by Phone

For fast, convenient service, you can pay your CTEC electric bill over the phone by calling toll-free 1-855-939-3623. CTEC accepts payments by check, credit card or debit card.

It only takes a few minutes to make an automated payment by phone. Your payment will be immediately credited to your CTEC account. Keep their toll-free number handy to quickly handle your electric bill by phone when needed.

Pay by Mail

Sending a check or money order through the mail is always a bill pay option with CTEC. Simply write your 10-digit CTEC account number on your check or money order and mail it to:

Central Texas Electric Coop
PO Box 553
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Allow 5-7 business days for mailed payments to post to your account. I recommend paying at least 7 days before your due date when paying by mail to ensure on-time delivery.

Mailing a paper check gives you a payment trail through your bank statements. Just be sure to mail your CTEC payment in plenty of time to avoid late fees.

Pay at a CTEC Office

For personal, face-to-face service, you can pay your CTEC electric bill at one of their local offices. CTEC has four office locations across their service area:

• Llano Office – 1410 Highway 29 East, Llano, TX 78643
• Kingsland Office – 706 Cottonwood St, Kingsland, TX 78639
• Mason Office – 1881 East State Highway 29, Mason, TX 76856
• Fredericksburg Headquarters – 386 Friendship Lane, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

CTEC office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. When you pay your bill in person, they accept cash, check, credit/debit cards and money orders.

I prefer paying at the CTEC office when I have questions about my electric usage or account. Their friendly staff are happy to answer any billing questions I have.

Use the Drop Box

For quick after-hours payments, CTEC has a drop box at each of their four offices. Simply place your check or money order in an envelope with your account number written on it and drop it in the secure box. No need to wait in line during business hours or take time off work to pay your bill.

The CTEC drop boxes are accessible 24/7 for your convenience. Payments left in the drop boxes before 5:00 pm each day are credited to your account same-day. It’s a fast, easy bill payment option.

Payment Extensions

If you need a little extra time to pay your CTEC electric bill, give their team a call. They understand financial challenges come up and are willing to work with members on payment extensions when needed.

You can request a payment arrangement to defer your balance and avoid disconnection of service. CTEC wants to keep the power on for their members. Don’t hesitate to contact them if you need some flexibility with your electric bill due date.

Budget Billing Programs

CTEC offers two great programs to help even out your monthly electric costs for easy budgeting. Their Level Pay and Paperless Billing programs take the guesswork out of your power bill amount.

With Level Pay, you pay the same amount each month based on your average annual usage. No more huge swings in your bill total between the winter and summer months.

Paperless Billing allows you to go green by receiving your monthly statements electronically rather than by mail. Plus, you get a discount off the standard customer charge for every paperless account.

These programs make managing utility costs a breeze. Reach out to CTEC to enroll and simplify your monthly budget.

Convenience and Flexibility are Key

As you can see, Central Texas Electric Cooperative offers many ways for members to easily pay their electric bill. Whether you prefer the speed of online payments, the simplicity of auto-draft, or need in-person customer service, CTEC has you covered. They continue to enhance their payment options to improve convenience and flexibility for their members. I’m impressed by their commitment to making bill pay straightforward and hassle-free.

So the next time your CTEC bill is due, choose the payment method that fits your needs. CTEC’s array of bill pay choices means no more late payments, missed deadlines, or scrambling to pay your power bill on time. Just pick your preferred payment option and pay your electric bill with ease!