Beginning in November, members will see that credit as a line item on their electric bills. The co-op plans to apply the credit until March 2016. Co-op officials expect the majority of its members to see reductions in the range of $35 to $50 during the colder winter months.

In the energy sector, wholesale power costs are based on projections. The co-op purchases its electricity from power generation companies and sets a price point based on its projections. However, with the volatility of the market, there is no guarantee on the actual energy costs incurred.

“Fortunately, our costs have turned out to be lower than our projections, so we are glad to pass the savings on to our members, especially during this winter season,” said Roanoke Electric Co-op CEO Curtis Wynn. “We hope our members can use this extra money to support them through the holiday season and cover other living expenses.”

In the co-op’s service territory, the winter months tend to be a high-consumption period for most of its membership. Many live in homes that are not very energy efficient. And what comes with that are higher electric bills, according to co-op officials.

Last winter brought consumption in some households that exceeded 10,000 kWh in one month, which equals to a $1,100 bill.

This potential savings come at a crucial time.

Many weather sources are predicting below average temperatures in the southeast and south central U.S. this coming winter very similar to last year’s low temperatures. Temperatures are expected to average 30 to 40 percent lower in the months of December, January and February than the typical same three months in the past 30 years.

Members can also be reminded that the co-op works very closely with help agencies through its Energy Assistance Program where staff assists members in receiving benefits from these programs.

As part of its business strategy, the co-op has stepped up its efforts to address many of the pocketbook issues being raised by its membership. Several programs are currently underway, aimed at helping members save energy and costs.

They include the following:

Community Solar

Launched in 2014, the program was created to make solar a more economical and accessible energy option. Members pay a one-time fee to purchase the energy output from solar panels.

Upgrade to $ave

Members receive energy-efficient home improvements that could include insulation, duct sealing, heat pump upgrades and water heater wraps. The cost is spread out with a fixed charge on members’ bills that is significantly less than the estimated energy savings from the energy efficiency measures performed.

Bright $avings

This program was established to deploy more energy efficient outdoor LED lights to all of the co-op’s consumer-members over the next two years. LEDs are more energy and cost efficient than traditional outdoor lighting. So far, more than 3,000 lights have been converted, accounting for nearly half of the outdoor lights on the co-op’s system.

In early August, the co-op discontinued charging members an outdoor light pole fee, resulting in a $2.15 monthly savings on their electric bills. That savings is higher for members with additional outdoor light poles.

For more information on these and other co-op initiatives, contact 252-209-2236 or visit www.roanokeelectric.com/thecall2018.