Help for High Bills

Cooperatives work with members to keep costs down

It sounds like a contradiction. An electric cooperative that sells electricity actively educating and encouraging its members to use less of it. But for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, that philosophy isn’t just talk — it’s the heart of a mission.

“We’re not just in the business of selling electricity,” says Mitch Ross, energy efficiency manager for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, whose team conducts energy audits and oversees efficiency updates for most of the cooperatives. “We’re in the business of improving the quality of our members’ lives. If we can help them do that by lowering their expenses, that’s great.”

That mindset stems from the cooperative model. Unlike investor-owned utilities, cooperatives are owned by their members — the very ones who pay the bills.

“The fact that we’re nested in our communities makes a big difference,” Ross explains. “We care about our neighbors. When someone is struggling to pay their bill, it’s easier to help when it’s the fellow down the street.”

After analyzing a sampling of the hundreds of energy-efficiency upgrades, Ross says, “There was an average 9.9% bill reduction, 2,770 kilowatt-hours (kWh) saved per year and $3,324 in lifetime savings. Many saw even greater results, with some cutting bills over 20% or saving over 5,000 kWh annually.”

Overall, more energy may be used in summer, but winter is when supply is more limited and demand can be harder to meet.

For members like Andy and Donna Verrett of Ozark, Mike and Norma DaVault of Paragould and Jody Nelson of Bluff City, higher-than-usual winter and summer bills were a constant source of stress — until they called their local electric cooperatives.

Through home energy audits and energy-efficiency improvements, these members discovered simple upgrades could cut costs and save energy. Monthly bills dropped, drafty spots disappeared and homes became more comfortable.

Electric cooperatives’ energy-efficiency programs may be available to qualifying members and may be based on guidelines that include past energy use, square footage and age of home. Contact your local electric cooperative for more information at arkansaslivingmagazine.com/cooperatives.

Andy and Donna Verrett of Ozark

ARKANSAS VALLEY ELECTRIC MEMBERS

When Andy and Donna Verrett moved from Florida back to Ozark in 2024, they were excited to settle into their 2,600-square-foot home and return to small-town life. But by their first winter, Andy noticed something unsettling — a higher-than-usual electric bill.

“I’d lived in Arkansas before,” he says, “so, I knew what winter typically looked like. But when I opened a bill and saw it was for more than $300, that was a shock.”

Like many members, Andy wasn’t sure where the problem started, only that something didn’t add up, so he called Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative to see if they could help.

During the free energy audit, the energy-efficiency team inspected lighting, insulation, ductwork, water heater settings and more. What they found were several common issues that can quietly increase energy use:

• More than a dozen recessed can lights with incandescent bulbs
• An uninsulated attic access door
• Water heater thermostats set too high
• Uninsulated hot-water pipes
• Air leaks around doors
• Ducts that weren’t properly sealed, causing a noticeable draft near the front door.

The cooperative upgraded the leaky recessed can lights with airtight LED retrofits, sealed and insulated problem areas, adjusted the hot-water temperature, wrapped hot-water pipes and installed a smart thermostat. That last upgrade Andy now calls a game-changer.

“I never understood why someone would want a smart thermostat,” he says with a laugh. “But we absolutely love it. If we forget to turn the temperature down when we leave, I can fix it from my phone. It even alerts me if something isn’t running normally.”

Before the upgrades, the Verretts averaged 2,350 kWh of monthly energy use and an average bill of $201.53. Today, their bill averages $118.88, which is a monthly savings of about $82.

The improvements made a difference beyond the wallet, too. “There were drafty spots in the house before, and those just don’t exist anymore,” he says.

The Verretts were so impressed with the cooperative’s help that they encouraged Donna’s 89-year-old father, also an Ozark resident, to schedule an audit.

Arkansas Valley Electric’s Director of Technology and Communications Brandon Fisher emphasizes the importance of contacting the cooperative at the first sign of unusually high bills.

“The first step is to reach out as soon as something feels off,” he says. “We also offer levelized billing, payment assistance and SmartHub tools, so members can monitor daily energy use. It’s about providing support and education to help members understand their energy use and take control.”

Mike and Norma DaVault of Paragould

CRAIGHEAD ELECTRIC MEMBERS

For Mike and Norma DaVault of Paragould, high electric bills were more than a nuisance, they were a persistent winter and summer worry. In their 2,000-square-foot home, energy usage averaged 2,800 kWh per month, translating to an average bill of $274.19.

“It was always high during the peaks of summer and winter,” Norma says. “I didn’t know what to do or who to contact.”

That changed when she learned about Craighead Electric’s energy-efficiency program.

She scheduled a free home energy audit, during which specialists inspected her home from top to bottom, checking windows, doors, insulation and lighting.

“They replaced our canister lights with long-lasting LEDs, sealed air leaks and even installed a smart thermostat,” she recalls.

The results were immediate. The DaVaults’ monthly bills dropped to an average of $259.92, saving them around $171 per year.

Beyond the savings, she noticed results she could feel. “It makes my house more comfortable for me and anyone visiting,” she says.

Jon David Carmack, energy services specialist for Craighead Electric, explains, “We can pinpoint energy usage issues through meter data, in-person audits and tools like our SmartHub Energy Explorer. Simple steps like sealing ducts or maintaining HVAC systems can make a noticeable difference.”

Norma encourages other members to take action. “Most people are in disbelief at how much they can help. They truly care about making your home efficient and your bills manageable,” she says.

Jody Nelson of Bluff City

SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS ELECTRIC MEMBER

Jody Nelson’s Bluff City home has always been more than a mailing address.

His 1,742-square-foot farmhouse, built in the late 1800s and passed down through generations, holds over a century of family history and until recently, more energy leaks than he ever realized.

In 2023, Nelson’s electric bill told a familiar story for many members living in older homes — high usage, higher costs and rising worry. Due to an assortment of energy-consuming space heaters and window units struggling to keep up, he had multiple monthly bills over $300.

“I was down to the point where I was willing to try anything,” Nelson says. “But then I thought … maybe I should call the professionals.”

That call changed everything.

When the energy auditors walked through the house, they noted the unique challenges — open interior spaces with very few doors, an uninsulated upstairs and older heating and cooling units working overtime to compensate. Nelson learned that most of his energy use came from outdated equipment simply unable to keep up with seasonal temperature swings.

The solution was a new energy-efficient mini-split heat pump system.

“I was completely blown away,” Nelson says. “This one unit takes care of the whole house. The space heaters are in the closet now.”

By 2025, his average bill dropped to $149.82, a savings of more than $60 a month.

Ashley Halcombe, South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s member services manager, says the first step is simply comparing your current bill to the same month the year before. Many times, higher bills come from weather swings, a longer billing cycle or changes in household activity.

“When something looks unusual, give us a call. We’re here to help, not judge,” she says. “You’re not alone. We’ll walk you through your bill, help you understand your usage and point you toward solutions that fit your situation. That’s what we’re here for.”

Nelson agrees, “I just wish I’d called sooner,” he says. “It changed everything for my home. And for my bills.”