Answers - Frequently Asked Questions
Lowering Bills
There are many ways to lower your electric bill. The greatest challenge is lowering
your bill, while maintaining the same lifestyle. Nearly all efforts require a change
of habits and often sacrifices. Lowering your electric bill may also require a financial
commitment to purchase more efficient equipment, upgrade your home's insulation,
windows, etc. Call Guernsey-Muskingum and ask for the Member Services Department.
Allow us to help you find some opportunities to lower your electric bill.
| New Concord | Ohio Toll Free |
| 740-826-7661 | 1-800-521-9879 |
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RCS "Radio-Controlled Switch"
A RCS is a "Radio-Controlled Switch". Radio-Controlled Switches have been used by
Guernsey-Muskingum E. C. since the 1970's to control water heaters, electric thermal
storage units, and most recently central air-conditioners and heat pumps. By temporarily
reducing the electric load of appliances, the electric demand in Ohio is reduced,
thus saving cooperative members millions of dollars.
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Peak Alert
A "Peak Alert" is issued when the electric load or demand is approaching record
high levels. The cost of electricity for your Cooperative is based on the greatest
amount of electricity that is used at any one given time. When our members are using
large amounts of electricity, there is the potential to set a new record for electricity
usage. This new record is called a "Peak".
"Peak Alerts" are volunteer efforts to encourage members to reduce their electric
load. Members of electrically heated homes, are asked to please decrease your thermostat
setting three degrees between 5 and 9 p.m. and between 7 and 10 a.m. in the winter, and increase the setting during the summer. Also, please
turn off extra lights, delay washing clothes until later or any other way to lower
your usage.
A reduced electric load, keeps cost down for everyone. You can help your Cooperative,
and yourself save money by listening for "Peak Alert" announcements on the radio
on very hot, very cold and windy mornings and evenings.
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Co-op
Cooperatives, or co-ops for short, are organizations where owners contribute equitably
to the capital of the business and democratically control its operations. Cooperatives
are owned and controlled by the very same customers who use their services. Although
there have been examples of cooperative endeavors throughout history, the modern
cooperative movement traces its roots back to Rochdale, England. In 1843, a group
of striking flannel weavers decided to take control of their food supply instead
of relying on the corrupt company store. Cooperatives operate according to
seven basic principles.
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Lights Blink
Blinks are a result of momentary outages that occur when a disturbance exists on
the line. This could be as simple as a squirrel or branch contacting a power line
or it could be lightning, an automobile hitting a pole or a cracked insulator.
When lights blink, it is an indication that the Cooperative's equipment is operating
properly. If a fault or short occurs on a power line, a device called a recloser
opens to stop the fault and then quickly closes back in. Although the process is
quick - and usually temporary - it may cause your lights to blink, making it necessary
to reset clocks and microwaves.
The recloser is a breaker, functioning much like a breaker or fuse in your home's
service panel. It permits power to continue flowing through the line with only brief
interruption of service, rather than causing an extended power outage. Without a
recloser, a blink would be an outage, leaving you in the dark until a line crew
could respond to make repairs.
Many blinks caused by weather or nature's creatures are beyond human control, but
you can lessen the effects and inconveniences of blinks when they occur. Consider
purchasing small appliances and digital clocks with battery backup. You also may
want to purchase an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your computer or other
electronic devices whose "memory" would be lost with a power interruption.
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Reporting Power Outages
Check your service panel for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
Check with your neighbors. Ask if their electricity is off.
Please call the following numbers to report your outage:
| New Concord | Ohio Toll Free |
| 740-826-7661 | 1-800-521-9879 |
Be sure to give our operator your phone number, last name, or account number.
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric has a person at the office 24 hours each day to dispatch
line personnel to correct your service problem.
We also accept collect calls when you have trouble with your service.
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Getting The Power Back On
After reporting an outage to our office, repair crews will be dispatched to make
the necessary repairs. If there is considerable damage in your area and extensive
storm damage in other areas the outage may last for hours. The dispatchers will
attempt to provide you with as much information as possible when you call with your
outage.
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Trees Close to Power Line
Do Not Attempt to cut tree branches that are near a power line. Call Guernsey-Muskingum
Electric at:
| New Concord | Ohio Toll Free |
| 740-826-7661 | 1-800-521-9879 |
Report the address of the problem tree(s) and a Cooperative representative will
contact you to investigate the situation and determine the appropriate course of
action.
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