Designated as a 501(c)(12) Benevolent life insurance associations, irrigation companies, telephone companies, etc., which have a mutually beneficial nature.
Have you ever been staring at that Sand Mountain Electric bill and wondering “How am I gonna pay this today?” Trust me we’ve all been there! As someone who’s helped lots of folks navigate utility payments, I wanted to create this super handy guide for paying your SMEC bill – whether you prefer using your phone or going online.
Quick Contact Info for Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative
Before diving into the details here’s the essential contact information you’ll need
- Phone Number: (256) 638-2153 (Main office)
- Bill Pay Phone Number: 1-844-PAY-SMEC (available anytime except 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. due to system maintenance)
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 277 Rainsville, AL 35986
- Physical Address: 402 Main Street West Rainsville, AL 35986
- Website: https://billing.smec.coop/onlineportal/Customer-Portal
Payment Methods Available at Sand Mountain Electric
SMEC knows that different people like paying bills in different ways That’s why they offer several convenient options
1. Pay By Phone
The quickest way to handle your bill when you’re in a hurry is by phone:
- Call 1-844-PAY-SMEC anytime (except during system maintenance from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.)
- You can pay using:
- Credit card
- E-check
This is perfect for those last-minute payments when you suddenly remember your bill is due tomorrow!
2. Online Payment Options
If you prefer handling things online, SMEC has you covered with several digital payment methods:
Quick Pay (No Login Required)
Did you notice the new feature mentioned on their website? You can now make payments without even logging into the portal using Quick Pay! This is super convenient when you don’t want to remember another password.
Customer Portal Login
For those who want full account access:
- Visit https://billing.smec.coop/onlineportal/Customer-Portal
- Click on “PAY NOW” to access the customer service portal
- Login with your credentials
- Complete your payment
Mobile App
Smart phone users might prefer the SMEC app:
- Download it for a faster way to access the website or pay bills
- Available for both Android and iOS devices
3. Automatic Payment Options
If you’re like me and sometimes forget about bills until the last minute, these automatic options will save your life:
Auto Pay
SMEC offers a free service that takes the hassle out of paying electric bills:
- Set up recurring payments
- Choose from various payment methods
- Never worry about late fees again!
Bank Draft
Another convenient option is setting up a bank draft:
- Your payment is automatically withdrawn from your checking account
- No need to remember due dates
- Saves time and prevents late payments
E-Billing
Wanna go paperless? Sign up for E-billing to:
- Help preserve the environment
- Receive bills electronically
- Keep all your bill records in one place
Account Management Features
Beyond just paying your bill, Sand Mountain Electric’s customer portal offers several useful features:
- Account Profile: View and update your personal information
- Account History: Track your payment history and usage patterns
- Manage Alerts: Set up notifications for bill due dates, outages, etc.
- Usage History: Monitor your electricity consumption
- Payment Profile: Manage your payment methods and preferences
Important Safety Alerts
SMEC is currently warning customers about scams!
SCAMMER ALERT! SMEC is warning people to be cautious and not fall victim to telephone scams. SMEC customers should always be suspicious of anyone calling to collect money and asking for personal information. The co-op does not make telephone calls asking for payment of electric bills or past due accounts over the phone, nor do we request personal financial information by phone.
If someone calls claiming to be from SMEC and asking for payment, it’s probably a scam! SMEC will never call you demanding payment or asking for your financial info over the phone.
If you receive such a call, try to gather information from the caller and contact SMEC immediately at (256) 638-2153.
About Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative
Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative (SMEC) is an electric distribution utility serving over 30,700 members across northeast Alabama, including portions of:
- DeKalb County
- Jackson County
- Marshall County
- Cherokee County
SMEC purchases power from the Tennessee Valley Authority, which is currently the nation’s largest generator of electricity.
Additional Services Offered by SMEC
SMEC offers more than just electricity! Here are some additional services they provide:
Energy Conservation
- Tips and resources to help reduce your energy consumption
- Information on energy-efficient appliances and practices
Safety Programs
- Generator safety guidelines
- Request a safety demonstration
- “Call Before You Dig” information
Community Support
- School Support programs
- Athletic Signs
- Scholarship Program
- Yearbook Advertisement
- Youth Tour Days
Reporting Problems
Experiencing an outage? SMEC has you covered:
- Click on “Report Outage” on their website
- An alert will appear on your account if an outage has been reported
- Follow the prompts to get more details
Frequently Asked Questions
Many members have common questions about their service. SMEC provides a Member FAQ section on their website that covers:
- Billing questions
- Service start/stop procedures
- Account management
- And much more!
Alabama Living Magazine
As a SMEC member, you receive the monthly Alabama Living Magazine, which includes:
- Co-op events updates
- Information about the rural electric industry
- Local section on pages 4-8
- Recipes in the back of the online magazine
You can view the current issue (October 2025) directly on their website.
Starting or Stopping Service
Need to start or stop your service? SMEC makes it easy:
- Click on “Start Service” on their website
- Follow the prompts for further information
- Provide the required details
- Submit your request
My Personal Experience with SMEC
I’ve been a customer of Sand Mountain Electric for years, and I gotta say, their online payment system has saved me countless times when I’ve been traveling and forgotten about my bill. The mobile app is particularly useful when I’m on the go – just a few taps and my bill is paid!
The 1-844-PAY-SMEC phone number has been a lifesaver too, especially that time when my internet went down right when my bill was due. I just called the number, followed the prompts, and had my payment processed in under 5 minutes.
Tips for Managing Your SMEC Account
Here are some personal tips I’ve found helpful:
- Set up auto-pay if you tend to forget due dates
- Download the mobile app for quick access to your account
- Sign up for alerts to receive notifications about billing and outages
- Keep an eye on your usage history to identify patterns and potentially save money
- Use E-billing to reduce paper waste and keep all your bills in one place
Conclusion
Paying your Sand Mountain Electric bill doesn’t have to be a hassle! With options like phone payments, online portal, quick pay, and automatic payments, you can choose what works best for your lifestyle.
Remember that the main phone number for questions is (256) 638-2153, while bill payments can be made at 1-844-PAY-SMEC (except during the 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. maintenance window).
And don’t forget to be vigilant about scams – SMEC will never call you requesting payment or personal financial information over the phone!
Fiscal Year Ending June 2019
| Notable Sources of Revenue | Percent of Total Revenue | |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions | $0 | |
| Program Services | $73,097,028 | 97.8% |
| Investment Income | $671,516 | 0.9% |
| Bond Proceeds | $0 | |
| Royalties | $0 | |
| Rental Property Income | $946,956 | 1.3% |
| Net Fundraising | $0 | |
| Sales of Assets | $0 | |
| Net Inventory Sales | $0 | |
| Other Revenue | $0 |
| Notable Expenses | Percent of Total Expenses | |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Compensation | $1,096,058 | 1.5% |
| Professional Fundraising Fees | $0 | |
| Other Salaries and Wages | $6,406,588 | 8.7% |
| Assets/Debt | |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $115,177,104 |
| Total Liabilities | $51,910,238 |
| Club or Co-Op Income | |
|---|---|
| Income From Members | $73,097,028 |
| Income From Other Sources | $1,618,472 |
| Key Employees and Officers | Compensation | Related | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Simpson (Ceo/General Manager) | $277,338 | $0 | $94,503 |
| Kevin Anderson (Manager Of Operations And) | $173,164 | $0 | $117,765 |
| Mark Malone (Cfo/Manager Of Finance) | $164,021 | $0 | $99,004 |
Fiscal Year Ending June 2016
| Notable Sources of Revenue | Percent of Total Revenue | |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions | $0 | |
| Program Services | $68,334,411 | 97.8% |
| Investment Income | $629,530 | 0.9% |
| Bond Proceeds | $0 | |
| Royalties | $0 | |
| Rental Property Income | $908,041 | 1.3% |
| Net Fundraising | $0 | |
| Sales of Assets | $0 | |
| Net Inventory Sales | $0 | |
| Other Revenue | $0 |
| Notable Expenses | Percent of Total Expenses | |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Compensation | $393,763 | 0.6% |
| Professional Fundraising Fees | $0 | |
| Other Salaries and Wages | $5,746,836 | 8.3% |
| Assets/Debt | |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $109,725,419 |
| Total Liabilities | $50,692,005 |
| Club or Co-Op Income | |
|---|---|
| Income From Members | $68,334,411 |
| Income From Other Sources | $1,168,435 |
| Key Employees and Officers | Compensation | Related | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Simpson (Ceo/General Manager) | $245,395 | $0 | $205,308 |
| Kevin Anderson (Manager Of Operations And Engineering) | $155,426 | $0 | $88,412 |
| Mark Malone (Cfo/Manager Of Finance) | $148,368 | $0 | $67,697 |
