Are you tired of rushing to mail your Empire Electric payment or driving to their office every month? I’ve been there too! When I first moved to Cortez, Colorado, I had no idea about the convenient online payment options Empire Electric Association offers Let me share everything I’ve learned about handling those monthly bills without leaving your couch.
Why Go Digital with Your Empire Electric Payments?
Before diving into the “how”, let’s talk about the “why”. Online bill payment isn’t just convenient—it’s transforming how we manage our utilities. With Empire Electric’s digital payment options, you can:
- Save time (no more driving to payment locations!)
- Avoid late fees with automatic payments
- View your energy usage patterns
- Access your account 24/7
- Reduce paper waste
Plus as a member-owner of this cooperative, you deserve to take advantage of all the modern services they’ve developed.
SmartHub: Your Ultimate Empire Electric Payment Portal
SmartHub is the crown jewel of Empire Electric’s online services. This web portal gives you complete control over your account management and bill payment.
How to Access SmartHub
You have three ways to access SmartHub
- Web Browser: Visit Empire Electric’s website (eea.coop) and click on “SmartHub Login”
- Mobile App: Download the SmartHub mobile app from your app store
- Quick Link: Use the “Pay Bill Online” button on Empire Electric’s homepage
What You Can Do With SmartHub
Once logged in, SmartHub lets you:
- Make one-time payments using credit/debit cards or bank accounts
- Set up AutoPay for recurring payments
- View current and past bills
- Monitor your energy usage
- Report outages
- Update contact information
I personally love the usage monitoring feature—it helped me realize my old refrigerator was the energy hog driving up my bills!
Important Note: Empire Electric’s system performs maintenance once a month from 11 pm to 1 am on the last Thursday of every month. During this time, online payments cannot be made.
Setting Up Your SmartHub Account
If you haven’t registered yet, here’s how to get started:
- Visit eea.coop
- Click “SmartHub Login”
- Select “Register for Online Access”
- Have your account number ready (it’s on your bill)
- Follow the prompts to complete registration
You’ll need your Empire Electric account number, so grab your most recent bill before starting.
One-Time Payment Options (No Registration Required)
Don’t want to create an account? No problem! Empire Electric offers quick one-time payment options:
Pay By Phone
For those times when the internet is down or you just prefer talking to someone, Empire Electric offers phone payment:
- Call: 833-923-1409
- Have your 9-digit account number ready
- Follow the automated prompts
There may be a small processing fee for this service, but it’s worth it when you’re in a hurry!
Guest Payment Option
Empire Electric understands not everyone wants to create an account. Their website offers a guest payment option where you can make a one-time payment without registering.
AutoPay: Set It and Forget It
AutoPay has literally saved me from late fees multiple times. With Empire Electric’s AutoPay:
- Your payment is automatically deducted from your bank account
- You’ll still receive your bill showing the amount and date of withdrawal
- The payment appears on your bank statement for verification
- You can cancel anytime by contacting Empire Electric
To enroll in AutoPay:
- Log into your SmartHub account
- Navigate to the “Billing & Payments” section
- Select “Auto Pay Program”
- Enter your banking information
- Confirm your enrollment
Mail-In Payment Option Still Available
If you’re old-school (or just like having backup options), you can still mail your payment:
Empire Electric Association, Inc.
801 North Broadway
Cortez, Colorado 81321
Just make sure to include your account number on your check!
Understanding Your Empire Electric Bill
Before paying, it helps to understand what you’re actually paying for. Empire Electric bills include:
- Energy Charge: The actual electricity you used (measured in kilowatt-hours)
- Demand Charge: For some rate classes, reflects your peak energy use
- Service Charge: Basic cost to maintain your service connection
- Power Cost Adjustment: Reflects changes in the cost of generating electricity
- Taxes and Fees: Various regulatory and local fees
The website has a helpful “Understanding Your Bill” section with detailed explanations of each component. They even have a video specifically about “Demand vs. Kilowatt Hour” that cleared up a lot of my confusion!
Recent Changes and Updates for 2025-2026
Empire Electric has some important updates that affect their members:
Rate Increases Coming
According to their recent news, Tri-State’s Board of Directors has approved a 2026 budget that includes an average 7.5% rate increase. This will likely affect your bill amounts starting in 2026.
System Maintenance Schedule
Be aware that payments cannot be made during their monthly maintenance window:
- Last Thursday of every month
- Between 11 PM and 1 AM
Additionally, there’s scheduled maintenance on October 31, 2025, from 12:01 AM until 6:00 AM. During this time, SmartHub, Pay by Phone, and the Outage Map will not be available.
Payment Assistance Programs
We all struggle sometimes. Empire Electric understands this and offers several assistance programs:
- Weatherization Assistance: Help making your home more energy efficient
- Payment Plans: Spread out large bills over multiple months
- Energy Efficiency Programs: Rebates and incentives to help lower your bills
If you’re facing financial difficulties, I recommend calling their customer service at 970-565-4444 to discuss your options before your bill becomes overdue.
Energy Saving Tips to Lower Your Bill
While we’re discussing payments, why not talk about ways to reduce what you’re paying? Empire Electric offers several programs to help members save:
- Rebates: Available for energy-efficient appliances and heat pumps
- Home Energy Assessments: Get personalized recommendations
- Time of Use Rates: Save by shifting electricity usage to off-peak hours
I took advantage of their heat pump rebate last year and saw my winter heating costs drop by nearly 30%!
Security Considerations for Online Payments
When making payments online, security is crucial. Empire Electric takes several measures to protect your information:
- Secure encryption for all transactions
- No storage of your complete credit card information
- Regular security audits of their payment systems
To protect yourself:
- Always access SmartHub directly from eea.coop
- Create strong, unique passwords for your account
- Be aware of potential scams (Empire Electric lists common scams on their website)
What Makes Empire Electric Different?
Empire Electric isn’t just another utility company—it’s a cooperative. This means:
- You’re not just a customer; you’re a member-owner
- The co-op works for your benefit, not for distant shareholders
- You may receive capital credits when the cooperative does well financially
- You have a voice through annual meetings and board elections
Their tagline “TOGETHER” really does encompass their approach. As they say on their website, “We know that we are brighter, stronger and better when we work together.”
Final Thoughts
Managing your Empire Electric bill doesn’t have to be complicated. With these online payment options, you can choose what works best for your lifestyle.
I’ve been using SmartHub for nearly two years now, and I can’t imagine going back to mailing checks. The convenience, account insights, and autopay features have made my life so much easier—and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you!
Have questions about your Empire Electric bill or need additional help? Their customer service team is available at 970-565-4444 to assist with any payment concerns.
Remember, as a member of this cooperative, these services were developed with YOU in mind—so take full advantage of them!
FAQ About Empire Electric Online Bill Pay
Can I pay my Empire Electric bill with a credit card?
Yes! Empire Electric accepts credit and debit card payments through SmartHub and their pay-by-phone system.
Is there a fee for paying online?
Some payment methods may include a small processing fee. The exact fee will be displayed before you complete your transaction.
What if I forget to pay my bill?
Setting up AutoPay through SmartHub eliminates this worry! Otherwise, Empire Electric will send reminders, but continued non-payment could lead to service disconnection.
Can I schedule payments in advance?
Yes, SmartHub allows you to schedule payments for future dates.
What should I do if I’m having trouble accessing SmartHub?
Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser. If problems persist, contact Empire Electric at 970-565-4444 for assistance.
Manage Your SmartHub Account
Make payments, view bills and manage your account.
