Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bank Draft:
Customers may choose to have monthly electric bills automatically paid from checking or savings accounts. To sign up, members need only to provide Central a signed agreement and a voided deposit slip or check bearing their account number. With automatic bank draft, you still receive your bill statement with the amount to be drafted from your bank account before the draft is made.

Budget Billing:
With budget billing, qualified customers can make monthly-equalized payments that are computed from the average of 12 months power use. Budget billing is reviewed every 12 months with the balance being settled on the 13th month. Failure to pay when due will automatically cancel the agreement.

Members Care:
Neighbor helping neighbor is part of the Co-op tradition. Members Care is a program Central Electric began to give members an opportunity to help less fortunate members during crisis situations. Members may contribute to the fund in several ways:

• Members may allow us to roundup their monthly electric bill to the next highest dollar, which averages about 50 cents a month, or $6 a year;
• Members may ask Central Electric to add a specific amount each month to their bill and designate the funds to the Members Care Program; or
• Members can make a one-time contribution to the Members Care Program.

The money collected will be used to help less fortunate members with their heating bills – regardless of the type of fuel they use. Money will be distributed by the Department of Social Services in the respective counties served by Central Electric. To volunteer to donate, members only need to complete a sign-up card available from the Central office or request one through the mail.

Bright Ideas Grants: http://www.ncbrightideas.com
Central Electric is continually seeking ways to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. That's why each year through the Bright Ideas Program, the Co-op awards approximately $9,000 to teachers to help bring creative and innovative projects into their classroom. Co-sponsored by the N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives, the grants are available to teachers in area schools for projects that traditional school money does not cover. All of North Carolina's 27 electric Cooperatives participate in the program and to date, more than $4.5 million has been awarded to teachers throughout the state.

Give Us an "A":
Through the Give Us An “A” Program Central Electric encourages student excellence in the classroom. Students in area schools are invited to send copies of their report cards with a grade of at least one “A” during the grading period. Four times each school year, Central Electric conducts a drawing from these “A’s”, and awards a $50 US Savings Bond to five winners. Students may be in any grade from kindergarten to college or technical school.

Scholarship Program:
Another way Central Electric invests in our communities' futures is through our scholarship program. The program was established out of a desire to help students attend college who otherwise might not have the opportunity to continue their education. Each year scholarships of $1,500 each are awarded to four students currently attending or planning to attend either Central Carolina Community College or Sandhills Community College. Scholarships are awarded based on scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, a written essay and financial need. Applicants must be Central Electric members or children of members. They must also be full-time students and have a grade point average of at least 2.5 or above.

Click the links below to download the forms for each scholarship:

CCCC Scholarship 2007 (CCCCapp.pdf)
Sandhill Scholarship 2007 (Sandhill Scholarship pdf.pdf)
2007 Cooperative Leadership Camp Application (application.pdf)

Safety Demonstrations:
An approximate one-hour high voltage safety demonstration is available to schools and organizations in our service area. Students and other participants learn safety around electricity at home, and also what to do in an electrical emergency.

Fleet Watch:
Fleet Watch is a program designed to help make our communities a safer place to live. Since our vehicles are equipped with two-way radio communications, Central Electric has teamed with each county's Sheriff's office to act as eyes and ears for the communities we serve. Our crews are trained to look for anything that seems out of place or unusual.

If your power is off:

• check your home’s breaker panel to make sure the outage isn’t due to a tripped breaker;
• call your neighbors to see if their power is off so you can determine if the problem exists within your home or on our lines; and
• if discovered that the problem is outside your home, call Central Electric, day or night, 365 days a year. If your neighbors’ power is out, don’t assume others have reported the outage.

To report a power outage:
Call our automated outage reporting system toll free at 1-877-766-6769. When you dial the special 877 number, a recorded voice will instruct you step by step through the process. Our computer will identify your telephone number and cross-reference it in member records, enabling us to quickly pinpoint the outage location. 

Call 24 hours a day to report a power outage or emergency: 1-877-766-6769.

If you need to contact the Cooperative for any other reason, our office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call us at (919) 774-4900 or 1-800-446-7752.

Local Office:
Keeping our business office and operations center in close proximity to our customers makes us accessible and responsive.

Line Monitoring:
State-of-the-art technology allows us to know when there is the slightest line interference or voltage fluctuation.  This information is relayed to engineering and service personnel immediately making Central Electric a proactive energy provider.

Competitive Pricing:
Central Electric is quite competitive on large loads, especially those with an above average load factor. We offer economic development options, such as specially-designed rates to meet individual, large commercial, and industrial needs.

Lighting:
An up-to-date system can result in more efficient lighting, lower energy and maintenance costs, compliance with work standards, and higher profits. Through TSE Services, we can provide analysis, design, and turn-key installation of the most efficient, modern lighting systems available.

Motor Services:
Motors consume 75 percent of all energy used in industries. Implementing a good motor policy will increase efficiency and conserve energy. We can provide motor efficiency testing and help make decisions concerning repairing or replacing motors.

Residential Energy Audits:
Residential energy audits are available to assist homeowners in determining ways to use energy more wisely.
Our energy advisor can be especially helpful if the homeowner suspects appliance problems.  You may also click here to calculate your energy use.

All-Electric Rate:
Central Electric offers a variety of rates to help meet customers’ different needs. Residential customers may qualify for an all-electric rate or a time-of-use rate. Your savings depend on the amount of power use you can shift to off-peak times, when not as many people need electricity. Contact Central Electric for additional information about which rate will work best to meet your needs.

Rebates:
Rebates are available to assist homeowners in buying energy-efficient water heaters and heat pumps. For new construction, a $200 rebate is available to members who install a heat pump with a minimum 14 SEER efficiency rating. Rebates of $100 are available for both new and replacement water heaters with an energy factor rating of 93 or higher.   

Water Heaters:
Central Electric sells energy-efficient water heaters in lowboy and standard sizes ranging from 40-to 120-gallon sizes. The Cooperative will finance the unit at a low 9.9 percent interest rate for 1-2 years as a line item on your bill. In addition to financing, we also offer the convenience of installation by a licensed plumber. This service is available to those whose credit has been approved.

Water Heater Maintenance:
With this maintenance program, Central Electric will have a licensed plumber repair your electric water heater for $1.25 a month – regardless of where you bought it or how old it is. The program covers heating elements, pop-off valve and thermostats on the water heater. It does not cover replacement of the entire unit. The service is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day to members who own their homes. All you need to do is call Central Electric to report your trouble.

Power Guard:
Surge Suppression is available for members who want a high quality power protection system. Devices are provided to protect sensitive electronics and motors. The three most likely places a damaging surge can enter your home is through your electrical lines, your phone lines and your cable/satellite lines. Financing for one year is available. For more information, please call 800-446-7752. This service is available to those whose credit has been approved.

Electrical Wiring Service:
Electrical wiring service is available to Central Electric members who have an active electric service account in their name. The service includes correcting problems with outlets, switches, fuses, breakers, inside wiring and your outside meter. Central will install service poles for mobile homes, add breakers, circuits, replace panels, and upgrade service (60 amp-200 amp). Central will also wire add-on equipment for pumps, water heaters, generators, garages, and additions to your home. Free estimates are provided. A licensed electrician will perform all upgrading and repair problems in your home.

Area Lighting:
For a low monthly charge you can feel a little more secure—and extend the amount of time you can devote to outdoor activities with a security light. A Central Electric representative can help determine the size you need.

Green Power:
Central Electric has joined with other utilities across N.C. to offer a renewable energy alternative called NC GreenPower. The program operates upon voluntary participation by members who elect to contribute at least $4 a month on their utility bill to help support a cleaner environment through electricity produced from renewable resources. None of the utilities participating in the NC GreenPower program keep these funds; all contributions are forwarded by the utilities directly to NC GreenPower for the purchase of renewable energy for the North Carolina electric grid. Contributions are tax-free and qualify as a tax-deductible contribution for income tax purposes.

Learn more about NC GreenPower at www.ncgreenpower.org

Comfort Loan
This loan offers 5% financing for high-energy efficient heat pumps, insulation, and storm windows.

Who is eligible for financing?

• members who have an active electric service account in their name, and whose home is served by Central Electric;
• homeowners of single family, duplex, and triplex dwellings;
• members with manufactured homes if they own their property and the home is permanently installed; and
• those whose credit has been approved for the loan program.

Homes must meet minimum insulation levels for the heat pump loan and homeowners must have their credit approved by Central Electric. Newly constructed homes are not eligible.

How much can I borrow?

• A minimum loan is $1,000 for a heat pump and $500 for other improvements;
• $3,000 per home is available for improvements for insulation and storm windows; and
• $7,500 per home for installation of a high efficiency heat pump.

What are the terms?

• loans can be repaid over a period of 12 to 60 months with payments made through the homeowner's Central Electric residential service account;
• payments must be at least $25 a month; and
• a one-time service fee of 3% of loan amount or minimum of $105.00 will be applied.