A Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Taylor Electric Bill Online

As a Taylor Electric Cooperative member, you have the option to conveniently pay your electric bill online. But if you’ve never set up online bill pay before the process can seem a bit overwhelming. Not to worry! In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about paying your Taylor Electric bill online.

By the end of this article you’ll be able to

• Set up online bill pay through Taylor Electric’s web portal
• Understand the different online payment options
• View your electric usage and billing history
• Set up recurring auto-payments
• Avoid late fees by paying on time
• Get help if you have payment issues
• And more tips for smooth online bill pay!

Ready to become an online bill pay pro? Let’s get started!

Accessing Taylor Electric’s Online Account Portal

The first step is accessing your online account on Taylor Electric’s member web portal. You can log into your account by going to payonline.taylorelectric.com and entering your account number and password.

You’ll need to make an account if you haven’t already if you want to use the Internet. Keep your account number handy and follow the on-screen instructions to create a username and password.

You can see your account information, how much electricity you’ve used, your billing history, make payments, and a lot more once you log in. I recommend bookmarking the portal for quick access each month.

Understanding Your Electric Bill Charges

Before making an online payment, it helps to understand what goes into your Taylor Electric bill. As a cooperative, Taylor Electric operates on a not-for-profit basis. Your charges mainly cover:

• Electricity usage based on kW hour (kWh) rate
• Monthly basic service charge
• Applicable taxes and fees

Your usage varies month to month based on energy demand. Check your billing history in the online portal to estimate future bills.

Higher summer usage from air conditioning is common in Texas. Budget billing can help even out payments. We’ll cover that more later on.

Making One-Time Online Payments

For a single monthly bill payment, you can make a one-time payment in the online portal.

Follow these simple steps:

• Go to “Billing & Payments” then “Payments”
• Select “Pay Now” for the relevant account
• Enter payment amount and submit

One-time payments can be made via credit/debit card, bank draft, or e-check. Make sure to pay by the due date listed to avoid any late fees.

I recommend one-time payment if you prefer handling bills manually or have an inconsistent income. Just be sure to log in and pay each month.

Setting Up Recurring Auto-Pay

For hands-free bill pay, auto-pay deducts your bill from a saved payment method each month. To set up recurring payments:

• Go to “Billing & Payments” then “Auto Payments”
• Select “Add New Auto Payment” and fill in your details
• Choose your preferred payment method
• Pick the draft date that works for you

With auto-pay in place, Taylor Electric will withdraw monthly payments without any action needed from you. Just monitor your account to ensure there are sufficient funds on draft day.

I suggest auto-pay for:

• Avoiding late payments from forgetting your bill
• Ensuring uninterrupted electrical service
• Reducing time spent on bill management

Auto-pay gives peace of mind that your bill is always paid on time!

Pay Online to Avoid Late Fees

Taylor Electric’s bill due date is shown on your monthly statement. Failure to pay on time triggers a 5% late fee on your balance.

To avoid penalties:

• Note the due date in your calendar
• Pay a few days early to be safe
• Set payment reminders if using one-time pay
• Use auto-pay to never miss a payment

If you expect a delay with your bill, contact Taylor Electric before the due date to discuss payment options. Keeping your account current ensures continuous power service.

Get Payment Assistance If Needed

Facing a temporary financial hardship? Taylor Electric understands life happens and offers flexible payment plans to members in need.

You may qualify for:

• Extended due dates to pay your balance over time
• Due date changes to align with your pay schedule
• Lower-cost payment arrangements tailored to your situation

Contact customer service to learn about assistance options if you anticipate difficulty paying your bill. Being proactive can prevent late fees or disruption of service.

Taylor Electric also partners with payment assistance programs like TXU Energy Aid that offer grants to low-income families struggling with electric bills.

Weighing the Pros and Cons of Online Bill Pay

When it comes to paying your Taylor Electric bill, going online through their web portal has several advantages:

Pros

• Convenient 24/7 account access
• Paperless billing and payment
• Payment reminders and tracking
• Ability to set up recurring auto-pay
• Avoid late fees through timely payments

Cons

• Need to remember log-in credentials
• Must have internet access and valid payment method
• Less immediate support if issues arise

For most members, the convenience of online bill pay outweighs any downsides. Sign up through Taylor Electric’s portal today to simplify your monthly payments!