If your next electric bill looks high, the weather is the likely reason. September 2026 opened with one of the hottest stretches Middle Tennessee has on record, and Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) says on its billing help page that "extended periods of high or low temperatures increase energy use, which directly impacts your monthly bill."
How Hot Was September 2026?
Daily records from the National Weather Service cooperative station Murfreesboro 5 N and the Nashville official record, available through NOAA's NOWData climate database, show how unusual the month was:
- Nashville: the first 21 days of September 2026 averaged 85.4 degrees, the hottest Sept. 1-21 stretch on record, ahead of 1925 (83.8 degrees). Nashville's high reached 100 degrees or more on six of those days.
- Full month at Nashville: a cooler final week left September 2026 at an average of 81.1 degrees, the second-warmest September on record, just behind 1925 (81.3 degrees).
- Murfreesboro 5 N: highs reached 95 to 99 degrees on 15 of the first 22 days, topping out at 99 degrees five times. The first three weeks averaged 82.5 degrees, second only to 1925 in a record that runs back to 1890. The full month averaged 78.7 degrees, also second behind September 1925.
- The record high stands: the Murfreesboro station's hottest September reading is 107 degrees, reached on Sept. 6 and 7, 1925, and again on Sept. 5, 1954.
Temperatures broke on Sept. 23, when Murfreesboro's high dropped to 83 degrees, and the last week of the month stayed in the low to mid 80s.
More on local weather patterns is in OnlyInMurfreesboro's Murfreesboro weather guide.
Why Will My Electric Bill Be Higher?
MTE's billing FAQ explains that, on average, more than half of a home's energy consumption comes from heating and air conditioning. The bigger the gap between the outdoor temperature and the thermostat setting, the harder the system works to hold that temperature. Three weeks of highs in the mid to upper 90s meant air conditioners in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County ran long hours, and that extra usage shows up on the bill that follows.
MTE also lists other possible contributors to a high bill, including malfunctioning systems, inefficient appliances, poor insulation and more time working from home.
How to Check Your Usage
- Use myMTE. MTE points members to the myMTE app and web portal at mte.com/myMTE to track energy use, manage paperless billing and set up payments.
- Ask about a payment extension. MTE says extensions are available for qualifying members through member support, the automated phone system at 877-777-0215, the myMTE app or the web portal.
- Call MTE member support with questions about your bill: 877-777-9020.
Who Does MTE Serve?
Middle Tennessee Electric is the member-owned electric cooperative that serves Murfreesboro and much of Rutherford County. See the Middle Tennessee Electric listing for contact details. New to the area? The moving to Murfreesboro guide covers setting up utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my MTE bill so high this month?
MTE says extended periods of high temperatures increase energy use, which directly affects the monthly bill. The first three weeks of September 2026 were the hottest Sept. 1-21 on record at Nashville and the second hottest at Murfreesboro's long-running weather station, so air conditioners ran far more than usual.
How can I check my daily electricity use with MTE?
MTE recommends the myMTE app or the web portal at mte.com/myMTE to track energy use.
What is the MTE customer service phone number?
MTE member support can be reached at 877-777-9020. The automated payment line is 877-777-0215.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Murfreesboro in September?
The Murfreesboro 5 N weather station recorded 107 degrees on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7, 1925, and again on Sept. 5, 1954.
Sources: Middle Tennessee Electric billing FAQs, National Weather Service Nashville NOWData climate records (NOAA RCC-ACIS daily data for Murfreesboro 5 N and the Nashville Area threaded record).