What's on your El Paso Electric bill and why
Your El Paso Electric (EPE) bill shows three main things: the charges for the electricity you used, any taxes or fees, and the total amount due. The bill arrives monthly and lists your account number, service address, and billing period at the top. Understanding what each section means helps you spot errors and know where your money goes.
The largest part of your bill is the energy charge, which is based on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) you consumed during the billing period. EPE reads your meter once a month to measure this. Below that, you'll see a customer charge — a fixed fee that stays the same every month regardless of how much electricity you use. Then come any riders or adjustments, which are temporary charges or credits that EPE adds or subtracts based on fuel costs, infrastructure work, or other factors approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).
At the bottom of your bill, you'll find taxes (usually city and state sales tax) and the final amount due. Your bill also shows your payment due date, which is typically 20 to 25 days after the bill date. If you pay after that date, EPE may charge a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Your EPE bill breaks down into energy charges (based on usage), a fixed customer charge, and taxes — the energy charge is usually the largest part and the only one you can control by using less electricity.
- You can pay your bill online through EPE's website, by phone, by mail, or in person at an EPE office or authorized payment location without paying an extra fee.
- If you receive a bill you think is wrong, contact EPE within 30 days to dispute it — they must investigate and respond in writing.
- EPE offers budget billing, which spreads your annual costs into equal monthly payments so your bill doesn't spike in summer or winter.
- If you fall behind on payments, EPE can disconnect your service, but they must give you written notice and a chance to pay or set up a payment plan first.
How to read the usage and rate sections
The usage section shows how many kWh you consumed and the rate EPE charged per kWh. Most El Paso Electric customers are on a tiered rate structure, which means the price per kWh changes depending on how much you use. Your first block of usage costs one rate, and any usage above that threshold costs a higher rate. This encourages conservation because using more electricity becomes more expensive per unit.
For example, if your rate structure shows a first tier of 500 kWh at $0.09 per kWh and a second tier above 500 kWh at $0.12 per kWh, and you used 650 kWh, you would pay (500 × $0.09) + (150 × $0.12) = $63.00 for energy charges before taxes. The bill shows this calculation so you can verify it matches your meter reading.
Check the meter reading dates on your bill. The "previous reading" is from last month's meter check, and the "current reading" is from this month. Subtract the previous from the current to get your usage. If the difference seems wrong — for instance, if you were away for part of the month or if the number is unusually high — you can request a meter test or ask EPE to re-read the meter.
Payment methods and where to send your money
EPE accepts payments through multiple channels, and none of them charge an extra fee if you use EPE's official system. The fastest way is to pay online at epesouthwest.com using your account number and a debit card or bank account. You can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic monthly payments so you never miss a due date.
If you prefer to pay by phone, call EPE's customer service line at 1-877-737-7737. A representative can process your payment over the phone using a debit card or bank account. Payments made by phone are typically applied to your account within one business day.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address shown on your bill. Include your account number on the check and allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to reach EPE and post to your account. If you mail a payment close to the due date, it may arrive late and trigger a late fee, so mail early or use online or phone payment instead.
In-person payment locations include EPE offices and authorized payment centers throughout El Paso. Payments made in person are usually posted the same day. Check EPE's website for the nearest office or payment location and their hours.
Disputing charges and requesting a meter test
If your bill seems too high or you believe there is an error, you have the right to dispute it. Contact EPE within 30 days of receiving the bill and explain what you think is wrong. EPE must investigate your complaint and send you a written response within 30 days. If they find an error, they will correct it and adjust your next bill or issue a credit.
One common reason for a high bill is an inaccurate meter reading. If you think your meter is not working correctly, you can request a meter test. EPE will test the meter at no charge if the meter is found to be accurate. If the meter is faulty, EPE covers the cost of repair or replacement and adjusts your bill for the period the meter was malfunctioning. The adjustment is usually based on your average usage from previous months.
Another reason bills spike is a change in usage — for example, running air conditioning heavily in summer or heating in winter, or a new appliance. Before disputing a bill, compare it to the same month last year. If usage is similar, the higher bill is likely due to a rate increase, not an error. EPE's website shows when rate changes take effect.
Budget billing and payment plans
If your bills vary widely from month to month, EPE's budget billing program may help. Under this plan, EPE calculates your average monthly cost based on your usage over the past 12 months and charges you that same amount every month. This smooths out seasonal spikes — you pay more in summer and winter months than you actually use, and less in spring and fall, so the bill stays predictable.
Budget billing is free to join and you can enroll online or by calling customer service. EPE reviews your budget amount once a year and adjusts it if your usage pattern has changed. If you use significantly less electricity than the budget amount, you build a credit that EPE applies to future bills or refunds at the end of the year.
If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, you can request a payment plan. EPE typically allows you to split the amount owed into two or more installments over 30 to 60 days. Contact customer service to set up a plan. If you miss a payment on the plan, EPE may disconnect your service, so make sure you can meet the agreed schedule.
What happens if you don't pay on time
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, EPE adds a late fee to your next bill. The fee is a percentage of the unpaid balance and varies depending on your account type. After 20 days past due, EPE may send you a disconnection notice. This notice gives you at least 5 business days to pay the full amount owed or contact EPE to arrange a payment plan.
If you do not pay or make arrangements within that window, EPE can disconnect your service. Reconnection requires payment of the full past-due balance plus a reconnection fee. If you are facing hardship, contact EPE before the disconnection date. They may offer a longer payment plan, refer you to a local assistance program, or temporarily delay disconnection while you work out a solution.
Texas law requires that EPE give you written notice before disconnecting service for non-payment. The notice must include the amount owed, the due date, and your right to request a payment plan or dispute the bill. Keep this notice and any correspondence with EPE in case you need to prove you received proper notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my El Paso Electric bill with a credit card?
EPE's website and phone system accept debit cards and bank account transfers at no extra charge. If you want to pay with a credit card, you can use a third-party payment processor, but they charge a convenience fee (usually 2 to 3 percent of the bill amount). For most customers, paying by debit card or bank account is cheaper.
What should I do if my meter reading seems wrong?
Compare your current bill to the same month last year. If usage is similar, the higher bill is likely a rate change, not a meter error. If usage is much higher and you haven't changed your habits, contact EPE and request a meter test. EPE will test it for free, and if it's faulty, they'll adjust your bill for the affected period.
How do I know if EPE is overcharging me for electricity?
Check the rate schedule on your bill or EPE's website to see what you should be paying per kWh. Multiply your usage by the rate to verify the calculation. If the math doesn't match, contact EPE within 30 days to dispute it. EPE must investigate and respond in writing within 30 days.
Can EPE disconnect my service without warning?
No. EPE must send you a written disconnection notice at least 5 business days before cutting off service. The notice must show what you owe and your right to pay, set up a payment plan, or dispute the bill. If you receive a notice, contact EPE immediately — most customers can arrange a plan or get help before disconnection happens.
What is the difference between my bill amount and what I actually owe?
Your bill shows charges for the current month's usage. If you have a credit from a previous month (for example, from budget billing or an overpayment), EPE subtracts it from the current charges. The final amount due is what you owe after any credits are applied. Your bill statement shows this calculation clearly.