New Member Handbook People. Power. Possibilities. 2 What it means to be a member Congratulations! You are now part of a unique and efficient sys- tem of operation where private business is owned by the people it serves. You are now a member-owner of Co-Mo Electric. As a member of Co-Mo Electric, you will receive quality electric service at the lowest possible cost; you will elect the people to rep- resent you on the board of directors; and you now have access to a variety of services designed to meet your needs. By becoming a member of Co-Mo Electric, you are carrying on a dream that began in 1939 when this organization was incorporated. Citizens of this area banded together to form this cooperative when investor-owned and municipal electric utilities refused to serve people in the country. Throughout the last 78 years, your cooperative has grown to serve more than 60,000 people through almost 33,000 meters. Co-Mo Electric maintains more than 4,000 miles of line and employs more than 100 people. It’s our way of business that sets us apart from other utilities. We’re locally owned and operated, we put our members first and we’re responsive to your needs. This is how we’ve done business for the last 78 years. Welcome to the electric utility that you and your fel- low members actually own. 3 Every member has a voice and “ that voice is important. As an electric co-op member, your household has a say in how the co-op is run. Which helps you care for an “even bigger family - your community. 4 Ways to Pay For your convenience, Co-Mo offers the following payment options 24 hours a day with checking/savings or debit/credit card (Visa & MasterCard). Phone Use this option by dialing 800-781-0157 and use our automated system. Internet By visiting www.co-mo.coop, you can launch the SmartHub Account Management Tool or use the quick pay option “Pay My Bill.” Mobile App By accessing the SmartHub app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Marketplace, you can interact with your account like never before. You can make payments using the app. Other Payment Options Auto Pay You can signup via SmartHub on the co-op’s website or through the mobile app. Using this method, your payment would be withdrawn on the due date and applied to your account. Mail You can always mail your payment using the address on your paystub. In Person Visit our Tipton or Lake offices during lobby hours to make a payment. You can also use our security drop boxes 24 hours each day. *All Co-Mo Electric accounts (with the exception of pre-paid accounts) are billed monthly. Payments received after the due date will include a 5% penalty. 5 Contacting Co-Mo Electric Headquarters Office Mailing Address: PO Box 220, Tipton, MO, 65081 Physical Address: 29868 Highway 5, Tipton, MO, 65081 Toll Free Phone: 800-781-0157 Local Phone: 660-433-5521 Fax: 660-433-5731 Lake District Office Mailing & Physical Address: 17698 N. Highway 5, Sunrise Beach, MO 65079 Local Phone: 573-374-5407 Fax: 573-374-5499 On the Web www.co-mo.coop www.facebook.com/CoMoElectric www.twitter.com/CoMoElectric www.youtube.com/CoMoElectric Account Number: 6 Deposits and Fees Security Deposits New accounts require either evidence of good credit history with Co-Mo Electric or a security deposit. Applicants acknowledge and agree that an independent consumer credit evaluation service may be used for the purpose of determining applicants’ credit worthiness and recommending a service security deposit. The security deposit varies from account to account because it is based on highest monthly usage in the last 12 available months at a particular location. The minimum security deposit required (if applicable) is $100. Members who pay their bills by the due date every month for at least 10 out of 12 months are considered to have good credit. Dusk-to-Dawn Light Co-Mo outdoor lights are an inexpensive way to provide security and give you extra time for outside work or play. Co-Mo provides all the maintenance when notified of needed repairs. Call (800) 781-0157 or e-mail [email protected]. Service Call Regular Time: $25.00 Overtime: $150.00 Return Check Charge: $25.00 Disconnect for Non-Payment Regular Time: $50.00 Overtime M-F: $150.00 Weekend/Holiday: $200.00 Remote Reconnect: $50.00 7 Energy Services Energy Audits Our Energy Services Advisor has expertise in energy-efficient building design and can analyze the thermal envelope and HVAC load requirements of your home. Further advice on energy- efficient appliances, advanced lighting systems and properly sized mechanical equipment all can help you start saving on your electric bills. When you schedule an energy audit, Co- Mo Electric’s Energy Services Advisor will conduct various inspections as well as an air-infiltration test with a blower-door. The audit will identify the changes you can make to start saving on your electric bills. Rebates Co-Mo Electric offers a variety of rebates to help you choose energy efficient appliances and home comfort systems. Rebates are available for high-efficiency electric water heaters and Energy Star room air conditioners. Rebates are also available for ground source or geothermal heat pumps and dual fuel. Rebates are available for: Energy Star Window Air Conditioners — $50 Water heater, Energy Factor 0.91 or higher — $50 Dual fuel heat pump, 16.5 seer and above —$150/ton Dual fuel heat pump 13 to 16.4 seer —$300/system Ground source heat pump, closed loop — $850/ton Ground source heat pump, open loop/replacement — $150/ton Walk Through Energy Audit — One free audit Blower Door Test Maximum — $300 Weatherization — 50 percent of cost up to $500 (After blower door test has been completed) **All appliances/systems must be pre-qualified. Contact Co-Mo Electric Energy Services Advisor Tom Hulse at (800) 781-0157 or [email protected] for details. Visit co-mo.coop/rebates.aspx for an application and more information. 8 Your Safety is Important Trees and power lines don’t mix. Trees in contact with power lines can conduct electricity and cause serious shocks, burns or even death; and they are the major cause of power-quality problems such as blinks and outages. Do not plant trees under power lines or within 25 feet of an overhead line. Trees encroaching on the utility right-of-way will be trimmed or removed. Do not attempt to cut or trim trees in power lines. Call Co-Mo Electric to report any branches or trees that may interfere with service. Stay away from any downed power line. You must assume every line is energized and dangerous. Never climb utility poles or go inside the fence surrounding a substation. Be careful when using ladders or farm equipment near overhead lines. If you must come within 10 feet of a power line, contact Co-Mo Electric for assistance in providing safe clearance. Do not fly kites near power lines. If a kite does become entangled in an electric line, don’t attempt to free it yourself; call your cooperative. Because of buried electric cable throughout our service area, digging can be dangerous. Whether you’re planning to dig with a backhoe or a shovel, please call first. Co-Mo Electric Cooperative is a member of the Missouri One Call service: 1-800-DIG-RITE (1-800- 344-7483) or 811; www.mo1call.org. 9 The electricity Co-Mo Electric provides “ our members is essential to everyday life and is often taken for granted. Now more than ever before we de- pend on electricity to enhance our quality of life and to stay connected. Through innovation and new technology Co-Mo Electric is doing every- thing we can to keep your electricity safe, reliable “and affordable. 10 Rates and Charges Co-Mo Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative committed to selling power to its members at cost. Rates are set based on the cost of power as contracted with our power suppliers (Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. and Central Electric Power) and the cost of Co-Mo Electric’s operational and plant expenses. Every effort is made to control these costs to keep rates affordable. Residential Rates Single Phase (in effect since April 1, 2018): Basic Service Availability Charge: $35.00 per month This charge covers the costs associated with having an active electric service to your home. It covers services such as power line maintenance, right-of-way work, billing, accounting and member service. Residential Energy Charge: 9.23 cents per kwh* The energy charge represents the costs associated with generating and delivering electricity to your meter. A kilowatt- hour (kWh) is a measurement of electricity. One kWh runs a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours. *Non-residential accounts will be billed at 9.21 per kwh. All prices subject to change 11 Delinquent Accounts To maintain a good credit history with Co-Mo Electric, please ensure that your monthly payments are received by the due date on your bill each month. Allow five business days for mailing. Co-Mo Electric cannot make allowances for late payments due to mailing delay or loss. Accounts with an unpaid previous balance are subject to disconnection for non-payment. If a trip is made to disconnect an account for non-payment, the member will be required to pay all past-due amounts as well as a $30 collection trip fee. If an account is disconnected, all amounts due must be paid, including any current charges, before service is restored.