JUNE 2020
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
We want to hear from you! Please complete the survey below. You can return it with your payment or drop it off at an NAEC office. You also may complete the survey at www.naeci.com/naec20. In appreciation for our members' feedback, NAEC will draw from completed surveys received by July 8, 2020, for two $100 Visa gift cards and 10 $50 Visa gift cards. Name on account
Email address (Co-op use only)
Account number
Home/Bus. Phone
Address
Cell Phone (Co-op use only)
1.
(Co-op use only)
Do you own or rent your home? Own
2.
3.
4.
Rent
How many square feet of living space do you have? Less than 1,000
1,500 - 1,999
2,500 - 2,999
1,000 - 1,499
2,000 - 2,499
3,000+
Approximately when was your home built? Before 1970
1980 - 1989
2000 - 2009
1970 - 1979
1990 - 1999
After 2009
Have energy efficiency improvements been made to your home since it was built? Yes
5.
No
Do you plan to make energy efficiency improvements to your home? Yes
6.
9.
1990 - 1999
Legislative/energy issues
Emails
Radio
Text messages
Facebook or Twitter
Internet
TV
Phone
None
16. Which bill payment options do you use? (all that apply) Propane
Other
2000 - 2009
After 2009
Geothermal heat pump
Wood furnace
Air source heat pump
Baseboard/ceiling cable
Electric furnace
Gas space heater
Gas furnace
Electric space heater
Geothermal heat pump
Window unit
Air source heat pump
None
Mobile app
Website
Phone
Automated phone system Bank draft
17. What is the age of the primary NAEC account holder? Under 25
35 - 44
55 - 64
25 - 34
45 - 54
65 - 74
75+
18. Considering all your experiences, how satisfied overall are you with North Arkansas Electric Cooperative? 1=not at all satisfied, 10=very satisfied 1
1
Central air 10. Approximately when was your heating and cooling system installed? 2000 - 2009
Office
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
19. To what extent has North Arkansas Electric Cooperative fallen short of or exceeded your expectations? 1=falls short of your expectations, 10= exceeds your expectations
What is your primary type of air conditioning system?
1990 - 1999
Outage
15. Which services would you be interested in receiving from NAEC's fiber-to -the-home subsidiary NEXT? (all that apply)
What is your primary type of heating system?
Before 1990
Renewable energy
14. List cell number to give NAEC permission to send text message alerts:
Approximately what year was your water heater installed? Before 1990
8.
Natural Gas
Energy efficiency
13. Besides the website, which of the following would you like the co-op to use to inform you about things like power outages, emergency situations and energy efficiency? (all that apply)
No
What fuel does your water heater use? Electricity
7.
12. What types of information from the co-op are most important to you? (all that apply)
After 2009
11. Which of these NAEC services are of interest to you? (all that apply) Auto bank draft
Home energy audit
Electronic paperless billing
Marathon water heater leasing
Energy efficiency loan
Operation Round-Up
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
20. Imagine an ideal utility company. How well do you think North Arkansas Electric Cooperative compares with that ideal utility company? 1=not very close to ideal, 10=very close to ideal 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
21. Assume you can choose your electric company. If you could choose today, how likely is it that you would choose North Arkansas Electric Cooperative again? 1=not at all likely, 10=very likely 1
2
3
4
5
6
22. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements about NAEC. 1=strongly disagree, 10=strongly agree. North Arkansas Electric Cooperative... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
Is a trustworthy organization.......................................... Is a well-managed organization ..................................... Truly cares about the members it serves....................... 23. Any additional comments:
2020-5
Maintaining HVAC system important Your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system is essential to keeping your home comfortable during summer months. If it breaks down, it’s also the most expensive equipment to repair or replace. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to lengthen the life of your HVAC system. • Change or clean filters. Dirty filters block airflow, which greatly can decrease the efficiency of your system. The Department of Energy recommends changing or cleaning filters every month or two during the cooling season. If your unit is in constant use or is subjected to dusty conditions or pet hair, consider checking filters more frequently. • Clean the HVAC unit. Outdoor condenser coils can become clogged with pollen, dirt and small debris. Use a hose to spray the HVAC unit once each season to ensure maximum airflow. (Warning: Do not use a pressure washer to do this, as it can damage the equipment.) • Clear space around the HVAC unit. Dryer vents, falling leaves and grass left behind from the lawnmower can create buildup. Remove any debris around the HVAC unit. If you have foliage near the unit, trim it back at least two feet around the condenser to increase airflow. You also should have your HVAC system periodically inspected by a licensed professional. The frequency of inspections depends on the age of your unit, but the Department of Energy recommends scheduling tune-ups during the spring and fall, when contractors aren’t as busy. When HVAC equipment fails, it’s inconvenient and uncomfortable — especially during the dog days of summer. Remember, your HVAC system runs best when it’s regularly cleaned and serviced. With a little maintenance along the way, you can add years to your system’s lifespan.
Annual Meeting transitions to business only For the safety of members and employees during the coronavirus pandemic, NAEC will not hold its traditional Annual Meeting of entertainment, registration gift and barbecue at Fulton County Fairgrounds. Instead, member appreciation events will be held at each office at a later date. Annual Meeting will entail only a business session at the co-op’s Salem headquarters. Ballots for the director election had to be received by Survey & Ballot Systems by June 2 to be counted. Results will be published in The Messenger and on www.naeci.com.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY — NAEC’s offices will be closed July 3. Crews will be on call in the event of an outage. Report an outage by using the app or calling 870-895-3221.
Look over your dryer’s vent to ensure it is not blocked. Also, clean the lint screen after every load of laundry. These steps not only will save energy but also may prevent a fire. — energy.gov
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — APRIL 2020 Average Daily High: 69.15° compared to 73.49° in 2019
TEMPERATURE
Average Daily Low: 43.44° compared to 46.24° in 2019 Total Rainfall Amount: 4.61” compared to 4.85” in 2019 Warmest Day: April 8, 93° at 4:30 p.m. Coolest Day: April 15, 28.5° at 7 a.m.
DAYS
CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
IMAGES: SHANNON BEARD; BENJAMIN CLAPP/ISTOCK.COM
RIGHT-OF-WAY Poughkeepsie, Grange, Nelsonville and Calamine areas of Sharp County
ON THE FRONT Linemen replace a pole in Norfork on April 30. For planned outages, NAEC calls members two days in advance if able.