OCTOBER 2021
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
Help after Hurricane Ida
From left, NAEC linemen Shane Goodson, Briar King, Preston Gurley and Grant Hyslip leave for South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association in Houma on Sept. 1. They helped restore outages caused by Hurricane Ida for two weeks. Ninety percent of SLECA’s 19,000 members originally were without electric service after the hurricane made landfall. The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas dispatched a total of 183 line workers and 194 trucks along with construction and right-of-way equipment.
Apprentice lineman Preston Gurley helps South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association restore electricity to members affected by Hurricane Ida.
Qualifying members can finance improvements North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s Energy Efficiency & Conservation Loan Program allows members to borrow money at low interest to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes. Most NAEC members take out an EECLP loan when they need to replace or upgrade to an all-electric heat pump, but many also borrow money to add insulation and/or make other energy-efficiency improvements. The interest rate for these fixed-rate EECLP loans now is 1.5 percent; however, this rate is subject to change. All loans require an application process, which does include a credit check. Also, board approval is required for loans exceeding $20,000. Below are the types of loans available: • Air-source Heat Pumps — Loans require a SEER rating of at least 14 and an HSPF of 8.2.
• Geothermal Heat Pumps • Weatherization — Weatherization loans can apply toward Energy Star® windows and doors, insulation (ceiling, floor or wall) and electric water heaters with efficiency of 91 percent or greater. • Energy Efficient Lighting — Energy efficient lighting loans will cover LED installations Members can have more than one loan and can combine weatherization measures with a heat-pump loan. Please note: new construction is not eligible for this program, and heat pumps must be all electric. The application is at www.naeci.com/loans. A print application also is available. NAEC has energy advisers on staff who can provide guidance on what energy efficiency improvements would be most beneficial. Call 870-895-3221 for assistance.