ARKANSAS YOUTH TOUR
Washington, D.C. & Philadelphia June
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH
If you have a home office, look for opportunities to save energy in your workspace. Use ENERGY STAR®-rated equipment, which consumes up to 50% less energy than standard models. Set equipment like printers and scanners to automatically switch to sleep or energy-saver mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help extend its life. Another way to save energy in your home office is to use efficient lamps for task lighting. Replace any older bulbs with energy-saving LEDs. —energy.gov
ENERGY SCAMS
Scammers will try anything to deceive utility customers, including a tactic that claims customers have overpaid their bill. If you receive a call, text or email from someone claiming you overpaid a utility bill and need to provide your banking or credit card information to receive a credit, it’s likely a scam. In most cases, your utility will apply a credit to your account to cover future charges or refund an overpayment with a mailed check. If you have concerns about your account, hang up with the caller and dial the utility’s main number.
Source: Utilities United Against Scams
Scholarship applications due April 1
The North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC) member-funded Operation Round Up® program awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to local graduating high school seniors each year.
In 2024, 15 students were awarded $1,000 scholarships, and three students were awarded $4,000 scholarships to be disbursed in $1,000 installments for up to four years.
NAEC is accepting applications for the 2025-2026 scholarship program. The application is available at naeci.com or through high school counselors’ offices.
Applicants must mail or deliver the typed application to NAEC by April 1. They must include a transcript and two letters of recommendation — with at least one from a nonschool employee who is not a relative.
To be eligible for the scholarship, high school seniors must graduate at the end of the 2025 school year, and their parents or legal guardians must be NAEC members. Applicants also must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale through the first semester of senior year.
The scholarship must be used to attend an accredited institute of higher learning on a full-time basis. For more information, please contact Tori Moss, NAEC marketing and communications director, at tmoss@naeci.com or (870) 895-6210.
Members can help fund future scholarships by enrolling their accounts in Operation Round Up. Volunteers allow their electric bills to be "rounded up" to the next dollar each month. Call (870) 8953221 to join today!
TIPS TO AVOID
Effective Ways to Lower Home Energy Use
Outside factors, such as fuel and equipment costs and extreme weather, can impact electricity prices. However, you have the power to control home energy consumption by taking proactive steps to reduce energy use.
Seal Your Home
According to ENERGY STAR®, about 20% of heated or cooled air that moves through a home is lost due to lack of proper insulation and air leaks. Ensure your home has sufficient insulation levels and seal air leaks around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping. This is a simple, effective way to lower energy use and improve indoor comfort.
Maintain Equipment
The health of your heating and cooling system is essential for comfort and can greatly impact energy bills. Maintain your system by regularly replacing dirty filters and scheduling annual inspections for maintenance and necessary repairs.
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative has additional information on reducing electricity usage at naeci.com. We also have billing specialists and energy auditors on staff to help you understand your usage and suggest actions and improvements that you can take to reduce your electricity usage and lower your costs. Call (870) 895-3221 or email info@naeci.com for assistance.
