MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Following a period of punishing winter weather, residents in Rutherford County and across Middle Tennessee are beginning to see the financial fallout on their monthly electric statements. Amy Byers, the Public Relations Coordinator for Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), warns that the majority of members should prepare for significantly higher bills due to the extreme cold snap that gripped the region from mid-January through early February.

The recent billing period captured a perfect storm of energy-draining conditions, including an intense ice storm and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures. For many MTE members, this combination resulted in a dramatic spike in kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage as heating systems—particularly electric heat pumps—struggled to maintain indoor comfort. Byers told WGNS the first thing you should do when the bill arrives – is to look at the billing period in comparison with the colder weeks experienced locally...

The "Emergency Heat" Factor - One of the primary drivers behind the rising costs is the increased reliance on "emergency" or "auxiliary" heat... When outdoor temperatures drop well below freezing, standard heat pumps often cannot extract enough warmth from the outside air and must switch to electric resistance heat strips. While effective at keeping homes warm, these strips consume significantly more electricity than the heat pump's normal operation.

How to Manage Your Bill - MTE is encouraging members to look beyond the total dollar amount and examine their actual energy consumption.

• Check the Billing Period: Your current bill may include the entire duration of the recent cold snap, depending on your specific meter-reading cycle.

• Monitor Usage via myMTE: The myMTE app allows members to track their daily kWh usage and compare it to outdoor temperatures to better understand consumption patterns.

• Levelized Billing: To avoid future seasonal spikes, members can sign up for Levelized Billing, which averages the last 12 months of usage to create a more consistent monthly payment... Visit MTE.com to change your billing to “Levelized,” which gives electric members a near level or similar monthly bill, based on your overall 12-month average usage.

For those concerned about their ability to pay, MTE urges members to reach out early. "Before you panic, give us a call," Byers advised, noting that the cooperative can discuss payment options and partner with local help agencies for those in need. Members can contact MTE Member Services at 877-777-9020