TECO Electric Utility Overview
Tampa Electric (TECO) serves as the primary electric utility for the Tampa Bay area, providing power to over 830,000 customers across Hillsborough County and portions of Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. As a key energy provider on Florida’s west coast, TECO plays an influential role in setting regional energy policies and delivering electricity to homes and businesses in one of the state’s fastest-growing metro areas.
TECO’s Service Area: Key Cities and Counties Served
Tampa Electric serves about 2,000 square miles in West Central Florida. Its territory covers all of Hillsborough County and parts of Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
- Hillsborough County: Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Seffner, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center.
- Polk County: Winter Haven, Auburndale, Mulberry, Lake Wales, and parts of Lakeland.
- Pasco County: Dade City, San Antonio, and parts of Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.
- Pinellas County: Primarily serves the Oldsmar area.
Current Average Tampa Electric Bills
The most current data reported by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) show that TECO’s latest average residential power bills by usage are:
| Monthly Usage | Average Bill | Estimated Sq. Ft. | Home Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 kWh | $173.64 | 900 – 1,400 | Apt / Condo / Small House |
| 1,200 kWh | $209.86 | 1,500 – 2,200 | Standard 3/2 House |
| 2,500 kWh | $445.41 | 3,000+ | Large Estate / Luxury Home |
| Note: Estimates assume standard insulation and AC use. Homes with pools, older AC units, or EVs typically have higher bills relative to their square footage. | |||
How Much Have TECO Electric Bills Increased?
For Tampa Electric (TECO) customers, the mid-2020s have brought a dramatic shift in energy costs. After years of relative stability, homeowners are now facing a “double whammy” of TECO base rate hikes and massive storm surcharges. The most critical update: As of early 2026, TECO bills are hitting historic highs before a scheduled drop later in the year. By Q1 of 2026, Tampa Electric power bills will have increased by more than 80% compared to December of 2020 for residents in the areas above.
Past & Future TECO Rate Increases
Below is the timeline of TECO’s rate changes from 2020 through 2029 to help you understand the long-term trend of your electric bill.
Historical Tampa Electric bill data based on average monthly bill for 1,000 kWh usage reported by FMEA.
| Year | Approx. Bill | Primary Driver of Cost |
| 2020 | ~$95 | Stable rates before the fuel crisis and rate hikes. |
| 22-2023 | ~$161 | Rate hikes + Peak of fuel crisis + Hurricane Ian costs. |
| 2024 | ~$136 | Temporary relief as fuel costs dropped. |
| 2025 (Jan) | ~$146 | Rate hike took effect. |
| 2025 (Mar) | ~$172 | “Storm Tax” added for 2024 hurricanes. |
| 2025 (Jul) | ~$174 | 10% rise in fuel cost. |
| 2026 (Jan) | ~$179 | Rate hike + fuel increase create historically high bills. |
| 2026 (Sept) | ~$159 | Storm surcharges expire. |
2020-2021: The “Old Normal”
In 2020, the global energy demand crash, fueled by COVID-19, led to historically low natural gas prices, which were passed to customers. A typical TECO household at 1,000 kWh/month was paying somewhere in the mid-$90s per month for electricity. Florida electric utilities had some of the lowest bills in the nation. Low natural gas prices and a lack of major storm recovery fees characterized this period.
2022-2024: Volatility Hits & The Crisis Begins
The stability ended in 2022. Global natural gas prices spiked, forcing TECO to pass fuel costs on to customers.
- 2022 Rate Hike #1: The first phase of the 2021 Rate Settlement Agreement took effect, raising base rates.
- 2023 Rate Hike #2: The second phase of the 2021 Rate Settlement Agreement took effect, raising base rates again.
- 2023 Fuel & Storm Surchages: Bills peaked at roughly $161 as the utility recovered costs from Hurricane Ian and high fuel prices.
- 2024: Bills temporarily dipped back to the $136-$143 range as fuel markets calmed, though TECO filed a request for higher base rates to fund infrastructure upgrades.
2025: The Year of the “Double Hike”
2025 was a painful year for Tampa area budgets due to two distinct increases colliding:
- January 2025 (Base Rate Hike): Public Service Commission (PCS) regulators approved a general rate increase to fund grid improvements, pushing the typical bill to roughly $146.
- March 2025 (Storm Surcharge): Following Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, TECO began charging an 18-month “storm tax.” This added approximately $20 per month to the typical household bill.
2026: Historical Electric Bills
Historically high energy costs for Tampa Electric customers. TECO power bills increased by more than 80% compared to just five years prior.
- January 2026: With additional base rate adjustments and fuel/capacity costs approved in late 2025, the typical residential bill is projected to hit ~$176.89.
- September 2026: The 18-month storm surcharge from the 2024 hurricanes is scheduled to expire.
Beyond 2026: What We Know (and Don’t) About Future TECO Electricity Rates
Under the current rate settlement, TECO is allowed base rate adjustments through 2027.
- Another stacked increase in 2026,
- And additional step-ups through 2027 tied to infrastructure and storm-risk investments.
However, detailed typical-bill projections beyond late 2026 (after the storm surcharge drops off) are less concrete and will depend on:
- Future fuel filings (if natural gas prices rise or fall)
- New storm events and related recovery requests
- Any additional base-rate cases TECO brings to the PSC
So while we can say with confidence that:
- Bills have risen sharply since 2020,
- The exact trajectory for 2027 and beyond will hinge on future PSC decisions and hurricane seasons.
Solar: Opting Out of Inflation
The timeline above shows that while fuel prices may dip, “base rates” and storm charges keep pushing the floor higher.
Going solar with SunVena Solar allows you to break this cycle.
- Escaping the Storm Tax: When TECO adds a $20/month surcharge for hurricane recovery, solar owners don’t pay that fee on the energy they generate themselves.
- Predictability: Instead of wondering if your bill will be $136 or $177 next year, a solar payment is fixed. You lock in your cost of power for decades.
- Asset vs. Expense: Renting power from TECO means paying 100% interest with zero equity. Investing in solar turns that monthly expense into an asset that adds value to your home.
As TECO rates flirt with the $180 mark in early 2026, the case for energy independence has never been stronger.
