Welcome.
Welcome to
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Our member-owned, not-for-profit electric co-op powers over 12,000 homes and businesses. We're led by our members and are committed to improving the quality of life in our community. Our employees live in your community and work to provide reliable and affordable electric service.
RELIABLE ELECTRIC SERVICE We keep your power on 99.98% of the time. Our outage time is significantly lower than outages experienced by customers of investor-owned utilities and municipals.
OUR MEMBERS HAVE POWER
99.98% OF THE TIME
EXCELLENT SATISFACTION Our satisfaction score is 89 out of 100. That means satisfaction with the co-op is higher than well-known businesses like Apple and Coca-Cola.
Download our free SmartHub app to securely pay your bill, report power outages, analyze your electric use, and more. SmartHub’s advanced home use data shows which of your appliances use the most energy each month and helps you find ways to take control of your energy bill. Learn more about advanced home use data and find ways to save on your electric bill under the Usage tab in SmartHub.
With SmartHub, you can: > Pay your bill > Report power outages > View your electric use > Sign up for paperless billing > Enroll in Auto Pay > Sign up for e-mail and text alerts
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YOUR ELECTRIC BILL 1
Account number, service address, service period, date bill was generated, meter number, meter readings and/ or kilowatt-hours used, and amount due.
2
Prior balance and payment, charges, credits, amount due, and additional charges like dusk to dawn light fees.
3
12 month record of electric use, which can help identify trends in your energy use.
4
The chart compares the energy profile of your current bill to the previous bill and the same month from the prior year. It features days of service, kilowatt-hours used, average daily use, cost per day, and high and low temperatures for the corresponding months to show the influence of outdoor temperatures on your electric use.
5
Important alerts like disconnect notices.
6
Account number and amount due.
Contact us
We're easy to reach! PAGE 2
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Service Information
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Account # Date of Bill Service Location 06/06/2024 0000000 0000 ADDRESS Service Period Cycle Service Description May 2024 2
3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford OH 45056-9338
Visit SmartHub to view your account's monthly, daily and hourly energy use. Also use SmartHub to pay your electric bill, set up automatic payments and report outages. Access SmartHub at butlerrural.smarthub.coop or download the app.
Meter B07161 Mult 1.0
Rate 1
AMOUNT DUE
Bill Information
kWh Usage History Previous Year
Previous Balance Payments Received - Thank you! Balance Forward
Current Year
750
450 300 150 0 Jun
$101.00
2
3 600
Usage 454
4 Jul
Comparisons Current Month Previous Month Same Month Last Year
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Days kWh Average Temp. 31 454 69 30 465 59 31 395 62 Average Cost Per Day: $3.56
Message
Mar
Apr
Distribution Charges Base Charge Energy Charge 454 kWh x .056710 Generation & Transmission Charges Power Supply 454 kWh x .093900 Community Connection (YTD $2.23)
May
Average kWh/Day 15 16 13
5
$102.00 -$102.00 $0.00
$42.00 $25.75 $42.63 $0.62
Credits Water Heater Control Cool Returns A/C Control Amount Due ON or BEFORE 06/20/2024
-$8.00 -$2.00 $101.00
Amount Due AFTER 06/20/2024
$108.03
Your credit card on file is expiring soon. Please visit SmartHub to update your credit card information or contact our office by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732.
6
Account Number Member Number Amount Due ON or BEFORE 06/20/2024 Amount Due AFTER 06/20/2024
1199501 61568 $101.00 $108.03
Amount Enclosed Make paying your bill easy - Sign up for automatic payment. Sign up through SmartHub or call 513-867-4400 for more information. See reverse for more payment options.
513-867-4400
butlerrural.coop
PAGE 3
ELAINE W FRYER 4390 STILLWELL RD HAMILTON OH 45013-9784
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2 PO Box 179 Hamilton OH 45012-0179
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butler@butlerrural.coop
PAYMENT OPTIONS ONLINE
Pay your bill through SmartHub or click Pay Now at butlerrural.coop.
AUTO PAY
Reduce the stress of missing a payment or receiving a late fee by having your payment automatically removed from your checking or savings account on the due date. Follow these steps to enroll in Auto Pay: 1. Log in to SmartHub. 2. Select Bill & Pay then Select Auto Pay Program. 3. Accept the Auto Pay Terms and Conditions. 4. Select Enroll under Auto Pay Enrollment, then select Add New Bank Account. 5. Follow the instructions and continue paying your bill until your statement reads Automatic Payment – DO NOT PAY!
Mail your payments to P.O. Box 179, Hamilton, Ohio 45012.
PHONE
Call 855-940-3867 to use our Self-Serve phone number or call our office at 513-867-4400 during normal business hours to speak with member services representatives at our office.
FIRST FINANCIAL BANK
Pay your bill at any First Financial Bank location.
OFFICE
Stop by our office to make a payment or place your payment in the drop box.
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OUR RATES
As a member of a not-for-profit electric co-op, you receive electricity at cost. We set and maintain rates at the lowest possible point to cover the cost of doing business. Our rates are reasonable, competitive, and stable. Here's an explanation for each rate on your bill. Distribution Base Charge Each member pays $42 for the base charge each month, regardless of the amount of electricity they use. All members need reliable energy, so this cost is shared across members to build and maintain our system. Distribution Energy Charge This covers upkeep of our electric lines, poles, meters, and substations and is influenced by the co-op's operating costs. Generation and Transmission Charge This is the cost of power from Buckeye Power, our generation and transmission co-op. It covers coal, environmental enhancements at generation facilities, fuel for trains, trucks, and barges to bring coal to the plant, and sending power over transmission lines to our distribution system.
RATES THAT FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE We have three rate plans available to members. These rates may align with your lifestyle and energy needs. All members are automatically placed on the standard residential rate. Contact us if you're interested in the Time of Day Rate or EV Rider.
Standard Residential Rate
Perfect for members who like simplicity and convenience.
Time of Day Rate
Perfect for energy savers who are willing to modify behavior to maximize savings.
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Electric Vehicle Rider Perfect for electric vehicle owners and those willing to divert energy consumption to evening and overnight hours.
BUDGET BILLING
Your electric bill goes up and down depending on how much electricity you use. During the hottest days of summer and the coldest days in winter, bills are higher because of air conditioning and heating system use. Our budget billing option helps avoid these extreme swings by making your bill more predictable all year long. Budget billing levels your annual electric costs. We’ll calculate the amount based on your monthly electric use . Sail through the seasons knowing what to expect while keeping your home comfortable during weather extremes. Sign up for budget billing at butlerrural.coop > My Account > Billing & Pay > Billing Options > Budget Billing or call us at 513-867-4400.
There’s a $165 difference between this member’s highest bill in December and their lowest in October. Luckily they’re enrolled in budget billing, so their payments only varied by $40, at the most, over this six month period. $300
$200
$100
$0
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Regular billing amount Budget billing plan
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Nov.
Dec.
PAPERLESS BILLING
With paperless billing, you'll receive your monthly bills on the day they're calculated by e-mail.
Paperless billing is... SIMPLE. Bills are easy to manage and you can pay from anywhere. CONVENIENT. Paperless billing saves time and fits into your lifestyle. AFFORDABLE. No need to buy stamps or worry about late fees. ECO-FRIENDLY. Use less paper and reduce your environmental footprint. RELIABLE. Never forget or lose track of a bill again. SECURE. Safely manage statements and payments online through SmartHub. Paperless billing is more secure than dropping a check in the mail.
Enrolling is quick and easy — follow these steps: 1. Log into SmartHub. 2. Select Settings 3. Select Paperless Billing. 4. Move the Go Paperless status on the right side of the page to ON.
Due date
Payments are due on the 20th of the month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is moved to the next business day.
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POWER OUTAGES
No matter the time or the day, our lineworkers respond to outages immediately to restore power as quickly as they can.
REPORT IT
Report outages using one of these methods: > Through SmartHub > Text "OUT" to 855-940-3867 > Call 513-867-4400 or 855-940-3867 to use our Self-Serve phone number
Self-Serve is a feature that allows you to quickly report power outages directly to our outage management system without experiencing busy signals. Save time and save your phone number as a contact in SmartHub before using Self-Serve. Follow the steps below to do so: 1. Download the free SmartHub app in the App Store or Google Play 2. Sign in to your SmartHub account 3. Select Settings > Contact Methods > Add Phone It will take up to 48 hours for a new phone number to be recognized by our outage management system. Members with multiple Butler Rural Electric Cooperative accounts must enter their account number each time they use Self-Serve.
FOLLOW US FOR OUTAGE UPDATES
Follow us on Facebook for outage updates. Do not report outages through social media or by e-mail as they are not monitored 24/7. BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
TEXT “OUT” TO 855-940-3867 to report power outages
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STAY UP-TO-DATE E-MAIL AND TEXT NOTIFICATIONS
Follow these steps to sign up for notifications like payment confirmations, power outage updates, and more. Add phone and e-mail contacts In SmartHub, select Settings > Contact Methods Customize the notices you receive In SmartHub, select Settings > Manage Notifications We send e-mails and letters before work like tree and vegetation management and pole replacement occurs in your area. We send surveys after the work is complete. We appreciate members sharing their opinions with us. Feedback helps make decisions to improve the cooperative. Your thoughts and opinions matter to us.
MAGAZINE & E-NEWSLETTER
You will receive this magazine by mail each month. The 12 pages in the center of our magazine are written and designed locally by a coop employee. These pages contain news and information important to our members. The rest of the magazine contains recipes, gardening tips, and news about the energy industry. Ohio Cooperative Living is created and published by Ohio's Electric Cooperatives, the service organization owned by the electric co-ops in our state.
OHIO
MAY 2026
Travel Issue
COOPERATIVE Butler Rural Official publication ElectricofCooperative Butler Rural Electric Cooperative
Labor of love
Restoring million a relic $5.7
invested in your electric system
ALSO INSIDE INSIDE ALSO Co-ops helping helping co-ops co-ops Co-ops
Festivals of of food food Festivals
Buckeye Trail Trail towns towns Buckeye
You will also receive an e newsletter each month. This is also created locally and contains timely information similar to what is in the magazine. PAGE 9
COMMUNITY SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS
We invest over $30,000 in education each year through college scholarships for members' children and send high school students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. They join students from across the country and spend a week meeting with Congressional representatives and learning about electric co-ops. Applications for these programs are available at butlerrural. coop > Community > Youth Programs in November.
GIVING BACK
We donate $1,000 to local food pantries each year while members and employees gather food, personal care items, and clothes for those in need. Employees also participate in a Community Day each year and spend time improving our local areas by cleaning parks and working at food pantries.
OUR MEMBERS DO, TOO!
Members and employees donate to local non-profit organizations through Butler Rural Community Connection to benefit fire departments, emergency management services, and schools in the counties we serve. Over $1.8 million has been given to these organizations to improve our community.
Visit us! PAGE 10
WATER HEATERS Butler Rural Electric Cooperative sells and leases 85 and 100 gallon Rheem Marathon electric water heaters that our electricians can service and install. Its award-winning construction makes the Rheem Marathon water heater the most durable electric water heater ever made. Its industry-best warranty makes it a smart purchase you can count on for years to come. Purchase Members building a new home or replacing a fossil fuel water heater can receive rebates after purchasing a water heater from the co-op. Visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Member Programs > Water Heaters or call 513-867-4400 for current prices. Lease Enjoy the convenience of leasing a water heater for only $12.50 per month plus tax. Leasing a water heater is... AFFORDABLE. All service is performed for free with no up front costs. CONVENIENT. The low monthly payment is applied to your monthly electric bill. EASY. Our trusted electricians install and service water heaters. CUSTOMIZED. Choose between a 50, 85, or 100 gallon model — the monthly cost is the same regardless of tank size.
OFFICE 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056
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HOURS Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
REBATES
We offer rebates to help you live a more efficient and comfortable lifestyle.
Geothermal rebates
> $1,200 rebate for new systems > $800 rebate for replacement systems Members receive a geothermal credit of 2 cents per kilowatt hour used between 1,001 and 2,501 kilowatt hours from September through May.
Air source/dual fuel heat pump rebates
> $600 rebate for new dual fuel heat pumps > $600 rebate for replacement dual fuel heat pumps > $600 rebate for new or replacement air-source heat pumps to an existing electric back-up system Members with dual fuel receive a 2 cent per kilowatt hour credit for heat pump use from September through May.
Water heater rebates
Members building a new home or replacing a fossil fuel water heater can receive rebates after purchasing a Rheem Marathon® electric water heater from the co-op. > $350 rebate for 50 gallon water heaters > $550 rebate for 85 gallon water heaters > $650 rebate for 100 gallon water heaters
Level 2 EV charger rebate
We offer a $1,000 rebate to members who own or lease an EV. The rebate covers installation of the charger, which can be completed by the cooperative’s licensed and insured electricians. You must be on our EV rider or time of day rate for 36 months to qualify. Limit one rebate per household.
Smart thermostat rebate
Members can receive up to $150 for a new qualifying smart thermostat. The rebate may not exceed 50% of the thermostat unit cost (excluding tax and installation costs). A maximum of two rebates will be paid per member residence per year.
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LOANS
The co-op finances loans at a low interest rate for members making home efficiency improvements.
Geothermal loans
Includes labor, duct work, excavation, pipe, and materials of up to $25,000.
Air-source heat pump and central AC loans
Covers ENERGY STAR® rated heat pumps of up to $25,000 at locations that do not have air conditioning.
Energy efficiency loans
Covers insulation, weather stripping, caulking, storm and thermal windows and doors, and clock or electronic thermostats of up to $25,000.
Electric improvement loans
Includes upgrading services, meter pole changes, rewiring projects, power quality equipment, backup generators, and correcting unsafe electric conditions of up to $25,000.
KOHLER standby generator loan
Qualifying residential members can receive a loan of up to $20,000 to install a KOHLER® standby generator through the cooperative. This low-interest loan can help members finance such a major investment. You can also purchase a KOHLER standby generator from the cooperative without receiving a loan if you choose.
DUSK TO DAWN OUTDOOR LIGHTS
The cooperative leases L.E.D. dusk-to-dawn outdoor lights for $10 per month with a 36-month agreement. The monthly charge, billed on the electric bill, covers installation, electric consumption for the light, and maintenance. If an additional transformer is required for the light the monthly charge is $12.60. A light can only be installed on a cooperativeowned pole.
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PORTABLE GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCHES
We offer the ability to purchase a behind-the-meter transfer switch, which is a meter base mounted transfer switch with a cord to use with a portable generator to power parts of your home, like your sump pump and refrigerator. The cooperative provides free installation for these switches. Price list: > 30 Amp Trifecta – $728.59 > 40 Amp Surge Protection – $861.72 Price includes 20 foot cable and taxes. Additional cable is available in 20 foot increments for an additional charge. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative can order a 50 Amp device if requested.
ELECTRICIAN SERVICES
Our licensed and insured electricians can help with your electric repairs.
SCHEDULE AN ENERGY AUDIT AND SAVE! Our trained, professional employees can visit your home to find ways to make your home more efficient. You will learn cost-effective ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of your home for only $150. Visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Member Programs > Energy Audits or call us at 513-867-4400 to schedule yours today!
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RENEWABLE ENERGY
Thinking about solar? Contact us first! We can look at your energy use history to help size your system and evaluate savings. We also have Butler Rural Community Solar, which allows members to purchase subscriptions to solar panels. The solar panels allow cooperative members to support the benefits of solar energy without the cost and hassle of installing solar panels at their homes. To join Butler Rural Community Solar, visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Member Programs > Community Solar or call us at 513-8674400.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Do you own an EV? Tell us about it! Knowing the location of electric vehicles chargers in our area helps the co-op plan for future needs, like transformers and other equipment needed to power the additional load required for EV charging. Visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Save Energy & Money > Electric Vehicles or call us at 513-867-4400 to tell us about your EV.
SURGE PROTECTION
We lease meter socket adapters to protect against damage to standard appliances. We also offer surge arresters to protect appliances and household electronics.
Learn more!
Visit butlerrural.coop or call 513-867-4400 to learn more about these programs.
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EVENTS ANNUAL MEETING Our annual meeting is at the end of April. Members learn about the co-op from our general manager and our board president.
OXFORD SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL The co-op sponsors one evening in the Oxford Summer Music Festival concert series. Enjoy a summer evening with us and hear great music at this outdoor festival.
FIREWORKS We sponsor the Hueston Woods Fireworks extravaganza each year. Make sure to bring your family to this fun event!
FAMILY DAY One of our most popular events, Family Day is our annual member appreciation event. Members bring their family to our office each July for hot dogs, popcorn, Flub’s ice cream, games, prizes, and much more.
COUNTY FAIRS We sponsor a cookout at the Butler County Fairgrounds. Exhibitors and their families enjoy hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks after spending the day moving their animals and equipment onto the fairgrounds preparing for the Butler County Fair. We partner with Darke Rural Electric Cooperative to sponsor a picnic at the Preble County Fair as well.
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TERRITORY
We provide electricity to members in Butler, Hamilton, Preble, and Montgomery counties. Our service territory is divided into nine districts, which are below. District 1 Oxford and Reily townships District 2 Milford Township District 3 Israel and Somers Township District 4 German and Gratis townships District 5 Madison and Wayne townships District 6 Morgan Township District 7 Hanover and St. Clair townships District 8 Colerain, Crosby, and Harrison townships District 9 Fairfield and Ross townships
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative operates under a Code of Regulations, which is available at butlerrural.coop > About Us > Cooperative Information > Who We Are > Code of Regulations.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES We're led by our members. Members serve on our board of trustees and choose who's on the board by voting for candidates each spring.
Board members meet each month with our attorney, general manager, and management staff and work together to make important decisions like setting policies and rates. They represent all members, not only the members in the township or district they live in.
David Evans
Jim Meador
Mike Tilton
Thomas L. McQuiston
Jay T. Hasbrook
Vickie Jo Barger
Steve Grote
John Broering Sr.
Scott Lessing
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Board members want to hear from you. Feel free to give them feedback or ask them questions. They're your voice for the co-op. Visit butlerrural.coop > About Us > Cooperative Information > Board of Trustees to learn more about our board members. DAVID EVANS
President District 1 d.evans@butlerrural.coop 513-523-8967
JIM MEADOR
Vice President District 2 j.meador@butlerrural.coop 513-280-2003
MIKE TILTON
Secretary and Treasurer District 7 m.tilton@butlerrural.coop 513-266-4099
THOMAS L. MCQUISTON District 3 t.mcquiston@butlerrural.coop 937-533-2983
JAY T. HASBROOK
District 4 j.hasbrook@butlerrural.coop 937-307-5347
VICKIE JO BARGER
District 5 v.barger@butlerrural.coop 513-593-0593
STEVE GROTE
District 6 s.grote@butlerrural.coop 513-235-2219
JOHN BROERING SR.
District 8 j.broering@butlerrural.coop 513-260-3103
SCOTT LESSING
District 9 s.lessing@butlerrural.coop 513-896-6195
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CAPITAL CREDITS
You're more than a consumer — you're an owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Capital credits represent this ownership and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits you enjoy as a member. Learn more about capital credits below.
01
You became a member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative when you moved into a home receiving power from the co-op.
02
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative keeps track of how much electricity each member purchases throughout the year.
03
At the end of the year, any funds remaining after our expenses have been paid are allocated to members as capital credits.
04
Capital credits are used as operating capital for improvements and maintenance of our system. This reduces the need for loans, which helps keep costs down.
05
Annually, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees evaluates the financial stability of the co-op to determine if we can retire capital credits.
06
When we retire capital credits, members receive capital credits checks or bill credits in November.
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LOAD MANAGEMENT & PEAK ALERTS
Electric is typically in high demand during hot summer afternoons when we're running air conditioners, using ovens to cook dinner, and running washers and dryers for laundry. Electricity cost is highest when demand is greatest, so these spikes in demand can increase electric costs for the co-op and members. Load management programs like water heater radio-controlled switches and Cool Returns air conditioner switches were created to decrease the use of electricity during these times. Reducing the demand for electricity created by electric water heaters and airconditioning systems helps decrease the use of electricity to help the co-op control costs and keeps rates low for all members.
Peak alerts
Peak alerts are notifications asking members to reduce their electric use to help keep costs down. If you have a radio-controlled switch on your water heater or a Cool Returns switch on your central airconditioning system, it will be activated during peak times. Peak alerts are cost-based and are not an indication that we do not have enough power to meet the needs of our members’ electric use.
Safety
FIRST
If you're planning to dig on your property, contact Ohio Utilities Protection Service, or OUPS, first. Forty-eight hours before digging, call 811 or visit oups.org and representatives from local utilities will locate and mark underground lines.
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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC
Our mission
To be a dynamic, progressive organization guided by cooperative principles and to provide energy and other value-added services to its members. The cooperative will participate in its communities, providing leadership and support to improve the quality of life for all of its citizens.
Updated September 2026