What is the “Facilities Charge” on my monthly bill?
The Facilities Charge represents the cost of having electric service available at a home or business whether there is energy used or not. It covers the costs of having a meter at the site, processing the meter data, having a transformer and service wire at the site and maintaining the account on the Consumer information system.
Top of PageWhy is my bill different than my neighbor's? All Washington Electric residential Consumers are billed under the same residential rate. Differences in the bill are a result of differences in the amount of energy used. There are many factors that may influence energy usage including the size and type of heating and cooling system, the number of people in the home, the type of water heating used, the way food is prepared, the thermostat setting and the number of lights used on a regular basis just to name a few. If you are concerned about the amount of energy you are using, contact a Consumer Service Representative at the Washington Electric office. They may be able to help you find where your energy dollar is being spent.
Top of PageMy bill seems too high, there must be something wrong with my meter. Can I get my meter checked? In most cases, unusual bills are a result of “hidden” energy uses or problems with appliances. The standard mechanical meters that Washington Electric uses are very reliable. In fact, meters that have been in the field for many years normally test slow by less than 1%. It is rare to have a meter test fast. If you feel that your meter is not correct, contact a Consumer Service Representative at the Washington Electric office. They will analyze your energy history. If they believe that there is a defective meter they can have a meter test performed. If you want to have your meter tested you can do so, but there may be a meter test charge of $50.
Top of PageSometimes the lights in my home get dim. They have even “flickered” at times. What is happening? When lights dim, the voltage in the home is “sagging” (going down). Sags normally occur because of insufficient wiring in the home. If more energy is required in the home than the wiring can accommodate, the result is a lowering of the voltage, and, dimming lights. If the lights are flickering, it usually means a large motor load such as a compressor on an air conditioner, has switched on, temporarily lowering the voltage. Our Member Services staff can help you look for problem areas if you are experiencing these conditions and recommend solutions.
Top of PageWhat are “Capital Credits?” Washington Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative. Therefore, any margins (revenues less expenses) at the end of the year are assigned, or allocated, as “Capital Credits” to a capital credit account in your name. The credits are allocated based on the energy you use during the year. These capital credits, when retained, are used to build new lines and improve existing lines. Assuming the financial condition of the cooperative will not be impaired, the capital credits in a consumer’s account will be distributed to their estate on their death. (You do not need to be a current Consumer to have capital credits paid to your estate from past years. Just be sure to let us know your current address if you move out of Washington Electric’s service territory).
Top of PageDo you service my new home or business location? We provide service to homes, farms, schools, governments and businesses to 6 counties spread throughout Southeastern Ohio. Contact our office to determine if we provide service to your location. When calling, in order to help us locate your account, please have the address of your location, and, if a meter is currently at the site, the 8-digit meter serial number located on the front, inside the meter glass.
Top of PageIs there a cost to establish service? Depending on your situation, there may be costs associated with connecting your service. If you are applying for service at a location for which no meter has been set in the past, there may be an “aid-to-construction” fee to offset costs associated with line extensions. Call our Engineering Department for more details.
Top of PageHow long will it take to get a new service connected? If a meter exists at the site, we need 24 to 48 hours notification in order for you to establish service in your name. For example, call from you on Friday will usually result in an order being processed in the field on Monday. You may be asked to come into the office to apply for service, but if you currently receive electric service from Washington Electric at another location, most generally the request can be handled on the phone in our office. If your request is for service at a site on which you are building, it may take 2 to 6 weeks, after a field engineer’s visit, to extend lines and turn on the service (may be subject to “aid-to-construction” fees).
Top of PageDo I have to pay a deposit? If you are a former Washington Electric Consumer and had a good credit history with us, there is no deposit. If you have never been a consumer of Washington Electric, you must provide us with a letter of credit from your previous electric provider. Good credit is defined as no more than 2 late payments in the last 12-month period. If a deposit is required, the deposit is $100.00 if the property has no history of service, or, 130% of the monthly average bill for a property with a history of service with Washington Electric.
Top of PageDo you have a budget plan and, if so, how do I apply for it? Washington Electric’s budget payment plan is available to all residential Consumers who have a $0 balance on their accounts. If you have received service at the site for 12 months or more and have a $0 balance, simply call the office and ask to be placed “on budget”. At that time, your budget amount will be quoted to you. If you have not yet received service for 1 full year at this location, phone the Washington Electric office and ask to speak to a Consumer Service Representative.
Top of PageTo what address do I send my payment? A return envelope is included with each bill, The address is:
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.
P. O. Box 800
Marietta, OH 45750
Top of PageWhy is my bill estimated? Washington Electric Consumers are asked to read their own meter each month. This allows us hold down costs. Bills are estimated when we do not receive a reading from you.
Readings can be registered with Washington Electric in three ways:
-From the Contact Us page on this web site, scroll down to
Submit Meter Reading. -By completing the meter reading information on your remittance statement when you pay your bill.
-By calling in your meter reading by dialing 1-877-594-9324.
Top of PageWhat are your office hours? Our standard office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Our dispatchers are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to take outage calls.
Top of PageHow do I get to your office?
Our office address is as follows:
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.
406 Colegate Drive
Marietta, OH 45750
Colegate Drive is located between Green Street and Muskingum Drive. We are located just East of Washington State Community College.
Top of PageYou May Appeal A Notice of Delinquency Where:
