2019 September NAECI Arkansas Living

north arkansas electric cooperative edition

Working on an outdoor project? Careless digging poses a threat to people and underground facilities. Always call 8-1-1 first.

Here are five easy steps for safe digging:

1. NOTIFY

Call 8-1-1 or make a request online two to three days before your work begins. The operator will notify the utilities affected by your project.

2. WAIT

Wait two to three days for affected utilities to respond to your request. They will send a locator to mark any underground utility lines.

2-3

3. CONFIRM

Confirm that all affected utilities have responded to your request by comparing the marks to the list of utilities the 8-1-1 call center notified.

4. RESPECT

Respect the markers provided by the affected utilities. The markers are your guide for the duration of your project.

5. DIG CAREFULLY

If you can’t avoid digging near the markers (within 18-24 inches on all sides, depending on state laws), consider moving your project location.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Auto bank draft most convenient payment method 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.

Please call 870-895-3221 to speak with an NAEC member service representative.

IMAGES: CALL811.COM; TORI MOSS; ISTOCK/ SBSARTDEPT

5 STEPS FOR SAFE DIGGING

Operate equipment safely near lines

my co-op

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

NAEC urges workers to use care when operating equipment near power lines and to abide by the following safety practices: • Inspect the height of equipment to determine clearance.

• Keep equipment at least 10 feet away (in all directions) from lines.

• Remember to lower extensions when moving loads.

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 offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day, but crews will be on hand in the event of an outage.

If you experience an outage, please report it by calling 870895-3221 or by using the NAEC Mobile App.

NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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