2018 September NAEC Center Pages

north arkansas electric cooperative edition

Whether excavating on a job site or planting a tree in the yard, contact Arkansas One-Call at 811 a few days in advance so that all buried utility lines may be marked for free.

Before beginning a project at home or work that requires digging, remember to dial 811 first.

Underground utilities, such as buried gas, water and electric lines, can be a shovel thrust away from turning a project into a disaster.

Play it safe by dialing 811 to find out where utility lines run on your property. Your call will be routed to a local “one-call” center. Tell the operator where you’re planning to dig and what type of work you will be doing, and affected utilities will be notified.

In a few days, a locator will arrive to designate the approximate location of any underground lines, pipes and cables. These areas will be marked with flags or paint, so you’ll know what’s below. Then the safe digging can begin.

Although many people are aware of “Call Before You Dig” services, the majority don’t take advantage of the service. A national survey showed that only 50 percent of homeowners called to have their lines marked before starting digging projects, according to the Common Ground Alliance, a federally mandated group of underground utility and damage prevention industry professionals. CGA data also shows that an underground utility line is damaged every six minutes in the U.S. because someone decided to dig without first dialing 811.

Even simple tasks like installing a new mailbox post can damage utility lines, which can disrupt service to an entire neighborhood, harm diggers and potentially result in fines and repair costs.

Never assume the location or depth of underground lines. There’s no need: the 811 service is free, prevents the inconvenience of having utilities interrupted and can help you avoid serious injury.

USED EQUIPMENT — North Arkansas Electric Cooperative has used equipment up for sale and up for bid. Visit www.naeci.com/equipmentsales or call NAEC’s office at 870-895-3221 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays for more information.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

IMAGES: CGA; PIXABAY.COM/ PAULBR75; ISTOCK/ SBSARTDEPT

Avoid buried lines by calling 811 so they can be marked for free

Auto bank draft most convenient payment method

NAEC offers financing for efficiency upgrades NAEC’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program allows qualifying members to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes through low-interest loans.

Measures covered by the loan program include new air-source heat pumps, new geothermal heat pumps, added insulation, weatherization improvements and LED lighting.

“The loan program lets members make energy-efficiency improvements that they otherwise might not be able to afford on their own,” said Chris Hickman, member services supervisor and one of NAEC’s energy advisers. “The most common reason members get a loan is to replace an inefficient or inoperable heating system with an air-source heat pump. Almost half of a member’s energy usage comes from heating and cooling their home, so installing an efficient heat pump can not only save them money but also can improve the comfort of their home.”

The loans have a 3-percent interest rate and longer terms than the co-op’s previous loan program. As an example, payments for the installation of a $6,000 air-source heat pump would be approximately $70 a month for eight years.

To apply for a loan, complete the application in an NAEC office or at www.naeci.com/eecl. Please call 870-895-3221 with any questions.

NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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NAEC’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program helps qualifying members upgrade their inefficient heating and air-conditioning systems and make other home improvements.

Automatic bank draft provides a convenient alternative to having to remember to pay your electric bill each month.

Bank draft is the easiest form of payment for both members and the cooperative. Members are not out the expense of checks or postage, and the labor on the part of the co-op accepting payment is minimal.

The free service is an electronic transfer from your bank account to the co-op’s. With your permission, your bank deducts the amount of the electric bill each month from your checking or savings account. Participants continue to receive an itemized statement of their electric bill. Ten days after the bill is mailed, the amount is deducted from your account and reflected on your bank statement. (If 10 days falls on Saturday or Sunday, the amount is deducted on Monday.)

Enrollment can be done in the Member Account Portal at www.naeci.com, in a coop office or via a phone call with required documentation.

NAEC offices may be reached at 870-895-3221, 870-4252141 and 870-994-2191.

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