At WCEC, it is not uncommon for us to receive high bill complaints this time of year. In winter, there’s a great difference between the outside temperature and what you set your inside temperature to for comfort. Your HVAC unit must work extra hard to keep up. Heating costs are a big driver of bills, and they mirror outside temperature extremes. When the mercury on the thermometer falls, bills go up based on the increased kWh usage it takes to keep the interior warm!

If you have your dial set to maintain 72 degrees and it’s 30 outside, that’s a 42 degree difference! Even if you have a well-insulated home, it will lose heat constantly because the indoor air temperatures wants to equalize with the outside air temps. It’s a constant battle of the elements.

Sadly, when the shocking electricity bill arrives a month down the road, it’s hard to remember that it was THAT cold for THAT many days. Mostly, that’s because the lowest temperatures happened when most of us were sleeping. And remember, you are being billed for what you used weeks ago.

To avoid high bill surprises did you know you can change the way you pay your bills? If you sign up for Levelized Billing, you’ll be billed the average amount over your previous twelve month history and pay about the same amount every month. This plan helps avoid high winter and summer bills during the hottest and coldest months.

Payments are made automatically from your bank account and they will be close to the same amount each month, so it’s easier to budget. Anyone who has been a co-op member for at least a year and has a zero current balance is eligible for the plan. To learn more about Levelized Billing and to make bill-paying easier and more convenient, call our Member Services Department at (903) 763-2203 or e-mail us at [email protected]
East Texas Rural Electric Youth Seminar
A fun, rewarding and enriching experience
Do you know an outstanding high school sophomore or junior in WCEC's service territory who would benefit from a fun and educational leadership trip this summer?
 
If so, please tell them about East Texas Rural Electric Youth Seminar (ETREYS). After a two-year pandemic related hiatus, WCEC is once again sending 10 high school students from its nine-county service territory to attend. Selected delegates will participate in a week-long all-expenses-paid trip to be held June 20- 24 on the campus of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall.
 
Those selected will join more than 100 of their peers from across the East Texas region for a fun filled educational week. Participants will be selected based on overall excellence and involvement in extracurricular activities including leadership positions, academic awards and civic activities. While at ETREYS students can expect to participate in workshops, seminars, and group activities that range from leadership development to pure entertainment. Nationally-known personalities, industry leaders and community leaders are scheduled to speak. Additionally, each student has a chance to compete for scholarships.
 
Established in 1988, the mission of ETREYS is to foster positive ideas and values among young people and to enhance skills in leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal relationships. 
 
Students interested in applying for the program should download the 2022 ETREYS Application. The deadline for students to apply for ETREYS is April 20, 2022.
Deadline Approaching for High School Seniors
Apply for $18K in College/VOTEC Scholarships
The March 15th deadline for area high school seniors to apply for one of WCEC's scholarships is quickly approaching. For 2022, WCEC is offering ten $1,500 scholarships for students attending college, and three $1,000 scholarships for those pursuing vocational or technical trade certificates. 

These scholarships are funded entirely by unclaimed capital credit payments returned to WCEC by the state of Texas. To be eligible, applicants must be members or dependents of active WCEC members. Applications are available online at wcec.org.  
Join our team! For details visit Career Opportunities.
Safety Tip of the Month
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month
When was your cooling system last serviced? Most manufacturers recommend an annual tune up for your home’s cooling system. March is a great time to schedule this service so you can beat the summer rush when the pros are busiest.
 
A qualified professional can check the amount of refrigerant, accuracy of the thermostat, condition of belts and motors and other factors that can greatly impact the efficiency of your system.