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VOL. 68 NUMBER 8


News orthwestern Electric June 2017 Prepaid metering puts the power in your hands P


repaid metering is as simple as it sounds: consumers pay for elec- tricity before it is used, then use the electricity until the credit expires. A terrific analogy for prepaid metering is putting gas in your car.


Say you only have $30 for the week to pay for gasoline. You drive down to the station, pump in $30 and drive off. As you drive during the week, what happens? You monitor the gauge and make sure each trip is necessary. If you drive too much, you burn up your $30 before the week is out. Literally. By checking the gauge throughout the week, you became more prudent with your gas use and made informed deci- sions on when and how much to use. Now let’s transfer that analogy to your account with Northwestern Elec- tric. With normal metering, you get a bill after you have used the electricity.


Sometimes it comes as a shock. You ask yourself, “How could I possi- bly have used so much electricity?” Prepaid metering is designed to ease— and hopefully eliminate—that shock. Let’s take a look at how it works. The components of a prepaid meter- ing system aren’t too different from regular metering. Two extra pieces are required—a way for Northwestern Electric to tell you how much you have left in your account and a way to switch off the power when all your money is used. Think of this as your “electricity tank gauge.” On North- western Electric's side, we handle the extra software and processes. Now let’s see it in action. North- western Electric sends electricity use notifications through your choice of our smartphone app, email, text mes- sage or phone call.


Now you decide how often you want to buy electricity. Monthly? Weekly? Then you budget for a certain amount of power and pay the co-op. Purchasing power is quick and easy, even on weekends and holidays. You can pay any time by telephone, in person during normal business hours, 24/7 at the kiosk, with our smartphone app or online. Bingo, your electricity tank is full.


During the time period you have paid for (let’s say a week for this ex- ample), you receive regular feedback on how much you have left in your tank.


As you approach “empty,” you add more money to your account and are then set for the next period. If you run out, the power goes off just like your car stops when it runs out of gas. To complete the analogy, let’s look at what you have been doing during the week. You become more aware of how you are using electricity. You turn things off more often. You may change the setting on your thermostat so you don’t cool or heat as much. You might cook outside to avoid using the oven or make sure your dishwasher is really full before running it. Industry studies show that consumers who participate in prepaid metering plans use as much as 10 percent less electricity than their counterparts.


Prepaid metering teaches the value of electricity, what uses watts in your home, provides absolute control over how much you pay and helps you reduce your energy use. It is a tremen- dous way to power your life. Contact us at 580.256.7425 or 800.375.7423 to learn more about prepaid metering.


Inside


Storm cleanup...............2 Low interest loan..........2 Recipe............................3 Call 811..........................3 Penny electricity...........4


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