Over 34,000 people in northeast Tennessee and northwest North Carolina get their electricity from Mountain Electric Cooperative (MEC). With offices in Mountain City, Newland, and Roan Mountain, MEC works to give their members power that is reliable and doesn’t cost a lot.
When it’s time to pay your monthly electric bill, MEC offers several convenient payment options. One of the easiest ways is through Mountain Electric’s online bill pay system.
We will show you everything you need to know to pay your MEC electric bill online in this complete guide.
Benefits of Paying Online
Here are some of the advantages of paying your Mountain Electric bill through their online portal:
-
Convenience – Pay anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. Avoid driving to an office or waiting in line
-
Payment Receipt – Get instant confirmation when your payment is made Have peace of mind knowing your payment was received,
-
Payment History – View up to 24 months of payment history online Easily track and manage payments,
-
AutoPay – Set up recurring automated payments from a bank account or credit card. One less bill to remember each month.
-
Account Management – Update account and contact information through your online account. Manage paperless billing and alerts.
-
Security – Payment portal uses industry-standard encryption to keep your data safe. More secure than mailing checks.
Paying online with MEC is fast, easy, and secure. It’s one of the best ways to ensure your bill is paid on time each month.
How to Sign Up for Online Bill Pay
To get started with online payments for your Mountain Electric account, you’ll first need to sign up for an online account. Here are the steps:
-
Click “New User” under the sign in buttons
-
Enter your MEC account number and the last four digits of your SSN or EIN
-
Create a username and password
-
Provide your email, name, and contact info
-
Agree to the terms of use
-
Verify your account through the secure email link
Once your account is activated, you’ll have full access to pay your bill, view statements, manage notifications, and more.
If you already have an online account but forgot your login, you can use the “Forgot Password” link to reset and gain access.
Paying Your Mountain Electric Bill Online
When logged into your Mountain Electric account, paying your bill online takes just a few clicks.
-
Hover over “Billing & Payments” and click on “Make Payment”
-
Choose the account you want to pay if you have multiple
-
Enter the payment amount
-
Select a payment method:
- Credit/Debit Card
- E-Check (bank account)
-
Enter your payment info and submit
-
Review payment details and confirm
Once submitted, your payment will process instantly. You’ll see a confirmation page and receipt number for your records. Payments made before 11:59 pm ET each day are applied to your account the next business day.
If you exceeded your due date, you can still pay online to minimize late fees. But for the most hassle-free experience, schedule recurring payments through AutoPay.
Setting Up AutoPay Through Mountain Electric
One of the best features of the online bill pay system is the ability to enroll in AutoPay. With AutoPay, your bill is paid automatically each month on the due date using your preferred method.
Follow these instructions to activate AutoPay:
-
Login to your Mountain Electric account
-
Click on “AutoPay” under the “Billing & Payments” menu
-
Choose your payment method:
- Checking/Savings account
- Debit/Credit card
-
Enter your bank account or card details
-
Pick a payment date between the 1st and 15th of the month
-
Agree to the AutoPay terms and conditions
-
Review and submit your enrollment
Once active, Mountain Electric will withdraw your bill payment on the date selected each billing cycle. Make sure to monitor your account balance if paying from a bank account.
You can cancel or change your AutoPay settings any time through your online account. Enrolling in AutoPay means no more late fees and one less bill to worry about every month!
Other Ways to Pay Your Mountain Electric Bill
If you prefer not to pay online or sign up for AutoPay, MEC offers these additional payment methods:
-
By phone – Call 833-399-0814 anytime to use the automated payment system
-
In person – Visit one of MEC’s local offices in Mountain City, Newland, or Roan Mountain
-
Pre-pay – Sign up for pre-pay billing to pay as you use electricity
-
Mail – Send a check or money order to MEC’s main office
-
Bank draft – Authorize MEC to withdraw from your checking account each month
-
Credit card draft – Provide your credit card to charge each month’s bill
-
Levelized billing – Pay an average amount each month to level out seasonal changes
No matter how you choose to pay, Mountain Electric’s customer service team is available to help with any questions. Reach them at 423-727-1800 or [email protected].
Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection
As you manage your Mountain Electric account, be sure to pay each bill by the due date listed to avoid penalties. Late payments and non-payment can lead to:
-
Late fee of 5% of your balance
-
Disconnection notice being sent
-
Disruption of electrical service
-
Poor credit reporting
-
Security deposit being required to restore service
Using AutoPay is the easiest way to pay on time, but you can also set calendar reminders for your bill’s due date each month. Communicate with MEC ahead of time if you anticipate payment issues. They may be able to set up a payment plan or point you towards financial assistance.
Watch Out for Scams
With online accounts and payments comes the risk of scams. Here are tips to avoid Mountain Electric payment scams:
-
Never provide personal info if contacted out of the blue. MEC will only reach out via your account.
-
Don’t click suspicious links – log in directly through the MEC site.
-
Reject requests for prepaid cards. MEC will only take bank, debit, credit card, or check.
-
Verify MEC’s official number if called (1-800-727-1800). Hang up on unknown callers asking for payments.
-
Only access your account through the secure online portal, never through an email link.
Being aware of common utility scams keeps your account and information safe.
Mountain Electric Is There to Help
Managing your Mountain Electric account should be simple with the convenience of online bill pay. Sign up for an online account to monitor usage, view statements, set notifications, and pay in seconds.
Enable AutoPay to set and forget your power bill responsibilities. And leverage MEC’s stellar customer service if any questions arise.
With some guidance on Mountain Electric’s digital resources, you can take control of your electric account. Pay on time, track costs, and focus on more important aspects of your life.