Tampa Electric Company: generator, battery backup & CPAP rules
Service area: Serves Tampa and most of Hillsborough County, plus parts of Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.
Meter collar transfer switches
No published rule found
Tampa Electric's Standard Electrical Service Requirements (2025) and tariff do not mention meter collars or meter socket adapters, and no approved list was found. The manual says no alterations to the standard line and load terminations may be made in a meter enclosure. It also says standby generators may not be connected to Tampa Electric's system without prior approval. Ask Tampa Electric before installing any collar device.
Generator and battery disconnect requirements
A standby generator needs an approved double-throw transfer switch, manual or automatic, installed after the meter. It must break the first connection before making the next. An automatic transfer switch that briefly runs in parallel with the grid must disconnect within 100 milliseconds per transfer. Standby generators may not be connected to Tampa Electric's system without prior approval, and Tampa Electric must be consulted before any generating equipment is installed. For systems that run in parallel with the grid, such as solar, you need a readily accessible, visible way to isolate the generator; a load-break disconnect switch that locks open is preferred, with a placard at the meter showing where it is. Florida rules let the utility require this switch for most solar systems, but inverter-based systems of 10 kW or less are exempt.
Gas meter upgrades for standby generators
Gas utility: Peoples Gas (TECO Peoples Gas)
No published fee for upgrading a gas meter for a standby generator was found. Peoples Gas has a Residential Standby Generator (RSG) rate class. From January 2026 it lists a $41.00 monthly customer charge and a base rate of $0.58931 per therm, before the gas cost charge, taxes and fees. Peoples Gas advises checking gas availability and capacity with your gas company first.
- Peoples Gas: Important Information About Your 2026 Bill (residential rates)
- Peoples Gas: Standby Generator
Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.
Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users
- Program
- Medical Watch
- What it provides
- Advance notice of planned outages for maintenance and notice when service may be cut for an unpaid bill. Tampa Electric's tariff (Medically Essential Service) also gives up to 30 extra days beyond the normal disconnection date for nonpayment, and a phone call or home visit before a scheduled disconnection. Medical Watch does not give priority restoration, prevent outages or nonpayment shutoffs, or guarantee continuous service. No bill discount is described.
- CPAP / BiPAP
- Not named. The tariff lists oxygen concentrators and ventilators/respirators as examples of equipment that must run continuously. Eligibility requires life-sustaining electric medical equipment certified by a Florida-licensed physician.
- Renewal
- Certification must be renewed periodically. Tampa Electric may require renewal no more than once every 12 months, and Florida law calls for recertification every 12 months.
Backup battery or generator programs
- Program
- None found
- What it provides
- Tampa Electric does not list a backup battery or generator program for medical customers. Its tariff says medically essential customers are responsible for their own backup equipment or power supply and an outage plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does Tampa Electric (TECO) allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
No published rule found. Tampa Electric's Standard Electrical Service Requirements (2025) and tariff do not mention meter collars or meter socket adapters, and no approved list was found. The manual says no alterations to the standard line and load terminations may be made in a meter enclosure. It also says standby generators may not be connected to Tampa Electric's system without prior approval. Ask Tampa Electric before installing any collar device.
Does Tampa Electric (TECO) have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?
Medical Watch: Advance notice of planned outages for maintenance and notice when service may be cut for an unpaid bill. Tampa Electric's tariff (Medically Essential Service) also gives up to 30 extra days beyond the normal disconnection date for nonpayment, and a phone call or home visit before a scheduled disconnection. Medical Watch does not give priority restoration, prevent outages or nonpayment shutoffs, or guarantee continuous service. No bill discount is described. Not named. The tariff lists oxygen concentrators and ventilators/respirators as examples of equipment that must run continuously. Eligibility requires life-sustaining electric medical equipment certified by a Florida-licensed physician.
Does Tampa Electric (TECO) offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?
We did not find a current backup battery or generator program for medical customers at Tampa Electric (TECO). Tampa Electric does not list a backup battery or generator program for medical customers. Its tariff says medically essential customers are responsible for their own backup equipment or power supply and an outage plan.
How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the Tampa Electric (TECO) area?
Peoples Gas (TECO Peoples Gas): No published fee for upgrading a gas meter for a standby generator was found. Peoples Gas has a Residential Standby Generator (RSG) rate class. From January 2026 it lists a $41.00 monthly customer charge and a base rate of $0.58931 per therm, before the gas cost charge, taxes and fees. Peoples Gas advises checking gas availability and capacity with your gas company first.