NOVEC suspends service disconnections due to COVID-19

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the financial hardships the illness is causing, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is suspending electric service disconnections for nonpayment for 60 days, effective March 16, 2020. The suspension delays, but does not cancel, payment of outstanding balances.

“COVID-19 pandemic is causing financial distress for many of our customers,” says Stan Feuerberg, NOVEC president/CEO. “As a result, NOVEC is suspending service disconnections for nonpayment, offering levelized billing, and providing cost-saving tips.”

Levelized Billing

NOVEC offers levelized billing to customers to prevent spikes in charges during the coldest and hottest months of the year and help with budgeting. Customers can sign up at http://www.novec.com or by calling 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.

10 Easy Energy-Saving Tips

1.  Set the thermostat at 68 degrees on cold days and 78 degrees on hot days.

2.  Use fans. Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms in the clockwise direction on cold days to push air up and counterclockwise on hot days to push air down and provide a wind-chill effect. Keeping fans on in unoccupied rooms only increases electric bills. If not running an air conditioner, run a whole-house or window fan upstairs with windows open on the main floor. Make sure a window fan pushes air outside instead of pulling hot air inside.

3.  Replace heating and cooling system filters. Dirty filters make systems use more energy. Follow manufacturers’ replacement instructions. Write the installation date on the filter. Set up free home delivery at http://www.novec.com/secondnature.

4.  Weed overgrown plants around outdoor air-conditioner units and anything that could hinder the unit’s efficiency. 

5.  Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying window air conditioners, ceiling fans, light bulbs, TVs, and other appliances.

6.  Block heat from entering a home or escaping by adjusting window treatments. Open shades and blinds on cold days and close them on the house’s sunny sides on hot days. Layer treatments. Awnings repel heat before solar rays reach windows. 

7.  Close fireplace flue damper and glass doors after heating season. Outdoor air rushes down an open chimney and conditioned indoor air escapes up it.

8.  Turn down the water heater. Turn an electric heater to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees. Adjust a gas water heater between “warm” and “hot.”

9.  Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. Old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs produce only 10% light, but 90% heat. LED bulbs produce almost no heat, use 80% less energy, and last much longer.

10.  Cook with a convection, microwave or toaster oven instead of a regular oven, or grill outdoors. 

Find more energy-saving ideas at http://www.novec.com/save.

Power Cost Credits

In 2020, NOVEC is giving customers power-cost adjustment (PCA) credits every month. For example, a household that uses 1,300 kilowatt-hours of electricity during the month will receive a credit of approximately $16. Credit amounts appear on bills.

As a not-for-profit business, NOVEC gives customers PCA credits when the cost of wholesale power it generates or purchases comes in less than projected.

About NOVEC

NOVEC, headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, is a not-for-profit corporation that provides electricity to nearly 174,000 metered customers in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, and Clarke counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. The utility is one of the largest electric cooperatives in the United States. For more information, visit novec.com or call 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500.