FAQ
What is the PCRF charge?
PCRF – Power Cost Recovery Factor – NVEC does not generate electricity; we purchase it from our power supplier, Brazos Electric Power Cooperative. The PCRF is a monthly rate adjustment allowing NVEC to react to real time changes in wholesale power costs (increases and decreases) without formally adjusting the rates.
How can I pay my bill?
Visa, MasterCard, Discover
Cash
Checks
Check by Phone
Bank Draft - Bank Draft allows you to receive your monthly bill as usual, but you don't have to write a check. We will automatically deduct the amount of your bill on the 10th of each month from your checking account.
Credit Card Draft - Payments will automatically be processed through your credit card on the 10th of each month. You will receive your monthly bill showing your current charges.
Can I change electrical providers?
Not at this time. When the Texas Legislature approved electric restructuring in 1999, it exempted cooperatives and municipally-owned systems. Why? Because these services are owned by their customers and run on a democratic business model. Co-op members, for instance, elect their board of directors, which in turn set co-op policy. At Navasota Valley Electric, we don’t intend to take part in deregulation until we’re sure it’s right for our members.
What is capital credit?
Navasota Valley Electric Cooperative provides electric service to its members on a non-profit basis. Therefore, the net profits belong to the individual consumers who paid their monthly utility bills. These funds are credited to active members with a credit (CR) on their October electric bill, while inactive members are mailed a check.
When will I receive my electric bill?
All electric bills are mailed out on the last business day of the month. If a customer does not receive their bill by the fifth (5th), they should call the business office.
Why do I have a late charge on my bill?
All electric bills are due upon receipt. To avoid paying the late charge ($15 per meter), customers should pay their bill by the first due date on their bill.
Can I get assistance paying my electric bill?
Dial 211 from your telephone to see if you quality for assistance in paying your electric bill.
Can I use a portable generator during a power outage?
People should exercise extreme caution when operating portable generators, "These generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous," said James Calhoun, General Manager, Navasota Valley Electric Cooperative.
The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are "backfeeding" power into the electric system, electric shock or electrocution, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, and fire. Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use.
Avoid "Backfeeding"
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to cooperative utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
If you must connect the generator to the house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install the appropriate equipment in accordance with local electrical codes. Or, call your cooperative to see if someone on staff will inspect power transfer switch.
Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) to at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
Keep the generator dry and do not use in rainy or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator.
For power outages, permanently installed stationary generators are better suited for providing backup power to the home. Even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded. This may result in overheating or stressing the generator components, possibly leading to a generator failure or fire.
Danger from CO (Carbon Monoxide)
Never use a generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly, which you cannot smell or see. Even if you can’t smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away. Do not delay. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.
If you experience serious symptoms, get medical attention immediately. Inform medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected. If you experienced symptoms while indoors, have someone call the fire department to determine when it is safe to re-enter the building.
Follow these safety tips to protect against CO poisoning:
- Never use a generator indoors, including homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home.
- Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.
- Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in your home, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards.
- Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.
Fire Hazards
Never store fuel for your generator in the home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and can be ignited by the appliance’s pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.
Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Committee
This information on operating generators safely was provided by TEC.
FOR ALL OTHER QUESTIONS
Please send a message to Customer Service for all other questions: customerservice@navasotavalley.com