How to pay Garland Electric bill online, by phone, or in person
Garland Electric Utility bills can be paid through three main channels: online at the City of Garland website, by phone at (972) 205-2750, or in person at the Garland Utility Billing office located at 200 North Fifth Street. Online payment is the fastest option and lets you schedule payments in advance. Phone payment takes a few minutes and works if you have your account number ready. In-person payment at the office is an option if you prefer to hand over a check or money order directly.
When you pay online, you can set up a one-time payment or enroll in automatic recurring payments, which deduct the amount from your bank account on a date you choose each month. This removes the risk of missing a due date. If you pay by phone, have your account number and a valid payment method (debit card or bank account) available. The office accepts checks, money orders, and card payments in person during business hours.
Late fees apply if your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your bill. The due date is typically 20 days from the bill date. If you know you will miss the deadline, contact the utility office before the due date to discuss your options — waiting until after the bill is late limits what they can do to help.
Key Takeaways
- Pay online through the City of Garland website, by phone at (972) 205-2750, or in person at 200 North Fifth Street to avoid late fees.
- Set up automatic monthly payments online so you never miss a due date, and the payment goes out on the same day each month.
- Your bill is due 20 days from the bill date; contact the utility office before that date if you cannot pay on time.
- Have your account number ready when you call or pay in person, and bring a check, money order, or card if paying at the office.
What your Garland Electric bill includes
Your Garland Electric bill shows three main charges: the energy charge (the cost of the electricity you used), a customer charge (a fixed monthly fee), and taxes. The energy charge is calculated by multiplying your kilowatt-hours (kWh) used by the rate per kWh, which varies depending on the time of year and your rate class. Residential customers pay one rate; commercial customers pay another.
The customer charge is the same every month regardless of how much electricity you use. This fee covers the cost of maintaining the lines, meters, and billing system that serve your home or business. Taxes are added on top of the total and vary by location within Garland.
Your bill also lists your meter reading — the number at the start of the billing period and the number at the end — so you can verify that the kWh calculation is correct. If the meter reading looks wrong or jumps unexpectedly, contact the utility office to report it.
Reading your meter and checking for unusual usage
Your electric meter measures kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity flowing into your home. The meter reading on your bill shows the number at the end of the billing period minus the number at the start. If you use 500 kWh in a month, your bill will show that consumption. To spot an error, compare this month's reading to last month's — a jump of 50% or more without a reason (like running an air conditioner in summer) is worth investigating.
Check your meter yourself by looking at the dial or digital display on the meter box outside your home. Write down the number and compare it to the reading on your bill. If they do not match, the utility may have estimated your usage instead of reading the meter in person. Estimated readings are common, but if you see a pattern of high estimates, you can request an actual meter reading by contacting the office.
High bills often come from air conditioning use in summer or heating in winter, a new appliance, or a change in how you use electricity. If you cannot explain the increase, ask the utility office whether they can check for a meter malfunction or a leak in your wiring.
Garland Electric rate structure and seasonal pricing
Garland Electric uses a single residential rate year-round, meaning the price per kWh does not change between summer and winter. However, the rate itself changes periodically when the city approves a rate increase. The current rate is posted on the City of Garland website under Utilities. Rates are typically reviewed every few years, and the city publishes notice of any proposed increase before it takes effect.
Unlike some Texas utilities, Garland does not use time-of-use pricing, which would charge more during peak hours and less during off-peak hours. Your rate is the same whether you run your air conditioner at 3 p.m. or 11 p.m. This simplifies billing but means you do not have a financial incentive to shift usage to cheaper times of day.
The customer charge and energy rate are the two numbers you need to understand your bill. Multiply your kWh by the energy rate, add the customer charge, and you have your subtotal before taxes. If the numbers on your bill do not match this calculation, contact the utility office to ask for an explanation.
What to do if you cannot pay your bill on time
Contact the Garland Electric Utility office at (972) 205-2750 before your due date if you know you cannot pay. The utility may be able to work out a payment plan that spreads the balance over several months, which keeps your service from being disconnected. Payment plans are not automatic — you have to ask, and the sooner you call, the more options they have.
If your bill goes unpaid past the due date, the utility will add a late fee and may send a disconnection notice. Disconnection typically happens 10 to 15 days after the notice is sent, but the exact timeline is in your notice. If you receive a disconnection notice, call immediately — even a partial payment or a commitment to a payment plan may stop the disconnection.
Some households may be may be able to access for bill assistance through local nonprofits or government programs. The City of Garland does not run its own assistance program, but organizations like Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army sometimes have funds available. Call 211 (a free referral line) to ask what programs serve your area.
Comparing Garland Electric to other Texas utilities
Garland Electric is a municipal utility, meaning it is owned and operated by the City of Garland rather than a private company. This is different from most of Texas, where deregulated areas let you choose your electricity provider. In Garland, you cannot switch providers — you buy from the city utility.
Because Garland is a municipal utility, rates are set by the city council and reviewed periodically. The utility does not have shareholders demanding profit, which can mean lower rates than a private company, but it also means you have no choice of provider if you disagree with the rates or service. Your recourse is to attend city council meetings or contact council members if you have concerns about billing or service.
If you move to a deregulated area of Texas (like Dallas or Houston), you will have the option to choose an electricity provider, which means you can shop for rates. In Garland, your only option is to reduce your usage or appeal to the city council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to remember to pay each month?
Yes. Log into your account on the City of Garland website and enroll in automatic recurring payments. The utility will deduct your bill amount from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You can change or cancel the automatic payment at any time through your online account.
What does the customer charge on my bill cover?
The customer charge is a fixed monthly fee that covers the cost of maintaining the power lines, transformer, meter, and billing system that serve your home. It is the same every month regardless of how much electricity you use. This charge exists on nearly all utility bills and is separate from the cost of the energy itself.
Why did my bill jump up this month even though I did not use more electricity?
The most common reason is a rate increase approved by the city council. Check the City of Garland website or call (972) 205-2750 to ask whether rates changed. Other reasons include an estimated meter reading that was higher than actual usage, or a meter malfunction. If you suspect an error, ask the utility to send someone to read your meter in person.
What happens if I miss my due date?
A late fee is added to your bill. If you continue to miss payments, the utility will send a disconnection notice, and your service may be shut off 10 to 15 days later. Call the office before your due date if you cannot pay — a payment plan may prevent disconnection.
Can I choose a different electricity provider in Garland?
No. Garland Electric is a municipal utility, so you must buy electricity from the city. You cannot switch providers like you can in deregulated areas of Texas. Your only options are to reduce your usage or contact the city council if you have concerns about rates or service.