In this issue:

Know your electric rights

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate, provides the following information about your rights as an electric customer and the protections provided to ensure you receive the best service possible.

You have a right to:

  • Quality and timely service - You should contact your local utility company to set up electric service. You will need to provide the customer name for the account, your home address and a telephone number where you can be reached. Be sure to call two to four weeks before you would like your service to begin to allow for any inspections that need to be completed before service is turned on. The company is required to complete installation within three business days after you have requested service. When you sign up for new electric service, the company will verify your credit. If you do not meet the company's credit requirements, you may need to pay a security deposit or provide a guarantor (similar to a cosigner). You should ask the company when your electric service will begin and when you can expect your first bill.

  • A properly working meter - Electric meters measure the amount of electricity you use each month and are used to determine your monthly bill. Electric companies must make reasonable efforts to read meters every month and at a minimum take one actual meter reading every 12 months. Electric companies are required to test your meter at your request. The test must be performed within 30 days of a specific request. When an electric company employee visits your home, he or she is required to provide you with identification.

  • Fair billing practices - You must pay each month's bill within 14 to 21 days. This period varies from company to company. If you need assistance paying your electric bill you may be eligible for payment arrangement, budget billing and energy assistance programs. You should be aware that your service may be disconnected if you fail to pay your bill, move from the premises or damage the electric service meter or any other part of the company's property. The company must provide you with a written notice at least 14 days before it disconnects your service.

If you have any questions or complaints about your electric service, you should contact your electric company at the toll free customer service number. Customers may also contact the OCC with any questions at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) toll free or visit the OCC website at www.pickocc.org.

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Study shows long-term benefits of energy efficiency

At a time when energy prices are high and are likely to increase, an important mission of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is to advocate for ways to help consumers control their energy usage. Recently, the OCC and several other agencies from throughout the Midwest jointly sponsored an important study conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

The results speak volumes about the importance of beginning comprehensive energy efficiency programs throughout Ohio. The ACEEE study determined that residential consumers could save approximately $1.2 billion by 2010, or over $300 per customer each year, through decreased consumption if Ohio's major natural gas and electric companies implement these programs.

Customers in the Midwest are expected to spend nearly $40 billion annually to heat their homes and businesses unless energy efficiency programs are implemented. The report projects that in our state alone, $5 billion will be drained out of the economy next year because the vast majority of natural gas used by Ohioans is imported from other states.

The study also showed that Ohio would receive a significant economic boost in terms of jobs created when energy efficiency programs are utilized. It is predicted that over 5,000 new jobs would be created in Ohio by 2010. By the year 2020, that figure increases to over 12,000 new jobs.

The types of programs that contribute to customer savings and job creation include more energy efficient new home construction and rebates on the purchase of furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard.

While annual investments are needed for these energy efficiency programs, ACEEE reports that the benefits to consumers exceed the costs by nearly a 4 to 1 margin.

The conclusions in the ACEEE report are extremely encouraging. The OCC will continue to advocate for comprehensive energy efficiency programs for the customers of each investor-owned energy company.

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Consumers with medical needs should prepare for outages

Electric companies take certain factors into consideration when restoring power during an outage. Hazards, such as downed power lines, and emergency facilities, such as hospitals, will be serviced first. Next to receive power are residential blocks with the most customers. In some cases, electric companies can give preference to individuals who rely on life support devices, such as respirators, ventilators or other medical equipment. However, there is no guarantee that these customers will receive power immediately, and they should always have a backup plan in place.

There are important steps that these customers should take to ensure that their power is restored as quickly as possible.

  1. Register with the electric company. Electric companies offer a program that alerts them about customers with critical needs. By law, all companies are required to maintain and update their list of critical customers annually. Customers need to send in a letter or fill out an application from their electric company stating that they are on life support. The customer's doctor also must verify his or her need for immediate power. Caution: Being on this list will not guarantee that power will be restored immediately. Customers should always have a backup plan.

  2. Have an emergency backup plan. In preparation for a power outage, consumers with a medical need for electricity should have available a contact list of family or friends, an emergency supply of oxygen, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, a landline or cellular phone and a place to go until power is restored.

  3. Consider using a backup generator and registering it. A generator will provide electricity during an outage. Always rely on a professional electrician to set it up. Properly installing a generator will protect it from damage and prevent a backflow of electrical current into the utility lines that may injure service professionals. Never use a generator inside the home or in an attached garage due to carbon monoxide build up. Customers should call their electric company to inform them that they have a generator. Learn more about generators at http://www.dom.com/about/safety/generator.jsp.

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Electric outages - myth versus fact

When the lights go out there are many things for a consumer to think about, like reporting the outage and locating necessities such as batteries, a wireless radio and other supplies. Below, the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel clarifies some of the common myths about power outages in the home to help consumers be better prepared.

MYTH: During an electric outage, homes with seniors and young children are given priority when restoring power.

FACT: Typically, electric companies do not establish a priority for restoration efforts based on the age of those in the home. However, customers in homes with anyone requiring electricity to run medical equipment may be able to join a list of customers with critical needs. (see story above)

MYTH: The electric company is required to pay for or replace any food that spoils as a result of a power outage.

FACT: There is currently no requirement that the company compensate customers for any food lost due to an outage. To keep food safe, consumers without refrigeration should:
  • Use foods first that may spoil, such as dairy products and meat. Once these foods are no longer cold to the touch they should be thrown out.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to conserve cold air.
  • Place perishable foods in a cooler packed with ice.

MYTH: After the power goes out, the furnace or air conditioner will continue to run and heat or cool a home.

FACT: Whether it is a natural gas or electric furnace, the fan inside the furnace that distributes heat through the home runs on electricity and will not work during an outage. Both room air conditioners and central air units require electricity to cool the home. When an outage occurs in colder months, consumers should close doors to any rooms not being used to prevent heat loss. In warmer months, consumers should close their blinds and curtains to keep the home cool.

MYTH: Cordless telephones will work during a power outage.

FACT: During an electricity outage, cordless home telephones will not work. Consumers that want the ability to place a telephone call from their home or need access to emergency services must have a standard telephone with an attached corded handset. While a cordless telephone allows consumers to carry a handset around their home, a corded telephone's handset must always be plugged into its base. This corded telephone will allow for calls during an outage, unless the telephone network also is out. Consumers who use their Internet connection to make telephone calls should also be aware that this service will be interrupted if the power goes out. Cellular telephones might work during an outage.

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Saving water will save consumers money

As summer temperatures heat up, more and more consumers are heading outdoors to get projects done around the house. From watering plants and grass to washing cars and outside windows, consumers use more water outside during the hot summer months.

For the average single family home, 50 to 70 percent of the total water used outdoors is for maintaining lawns and gardens. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) offers the following tips to help consumers conserve water and save money on common outdoor watering activities:

  • When watering the lawn, try to water during the cooler times of the day, specifically in the early mornings and late evenings to avoid rapid evaporation. This schedule is better for the lawn and allows a reduced amount of water to be used.

  • Check the weather forecast before watering outside. If there is a chance of rain, hold off on watering the lawn to see if Mother Nature will help out.

  • Promptly repair any leaky outside faucets or spigots and patch or replace torn watering hoses.

  • Position sprinklers so that they hit the plants and grass, not the sidewalk or driveway.

  • When washing your car, turn off the water hose while not in use.

  • Use a broom to clean debris off sidewalks, porches, driveways and gutters instead of using water from a hose.

  • When purchasing new trees and plants, look for those which require less water to survive.

For more information on ways to conserve water both in and outside the home, consumers can request copies of the OCC's Guide to Water Conservation by contacting the OCC toll free at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622) or online at www.pickocc.org.

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Q & A: Learn about bundled telecommunication packages

Q&A

Q.Do telecommunication companies list charges for several types of services all on one monthly bill?

A.Yes. Many companies offer bundled packages that contain multiple services, including local and long-distance telephone calling, cable, cellular and Internet access. Typically, customers can "one stop shop" by signing up for a bundle of several services from one company and receive a single monthly bill. Customers also may be able to add additional services at a later time and have them included on their existing monthly bill.

Q.What are the advantages of buying a bundled package?

A.The primary advantage is the ability to receive a single monthly bill for multiple services, which is a convenience for some customers. Depending on a customer's preferences, a combined bill may save money. For example, promotional offers with service discounts may exist for buying multiple services from the same company. The combined bill also might avoid certain charges. For instance, some long-distance companies impose extra fees on customers for adding their calling charges to another company's bill. Customers should be aware, however, that they still must pay government-mandated fees and taxes for all of the services in the bundled package.

Q.Will buying a package allow me to call one customer service center to have any problems resolved?

A.Typically customers can sign up for all the services at the same time, but they may need to talk with different departments to resolve billing and service problems for each service listed on the bill.

Q.If I am only able to pay a portion of my bill, will certain services be disconnected?

A.In Ohio, traditional telephone companies must apply any partial payments to a customer's local telephone charges first. This provides customers the security of keeping their dial tone. Customers with a bundled package could be disconnected from other products, including their cellular and cable/satellite television service.

Q.How will I know if a bundled package will save me money?

A.Consumers should evaluate and compare each service in a bundled package to determine if the price and the included features meet their needs. The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) offers assistance to consumers shopping for telephone services, including its Comparing Your Local Telephone Choices fact sheet and chart. The OCC's free publications are available online at www.pickocc.org or available at 1-877-PICKOCC (1-877-742-5622).

Information believed accurate but not guaranteed.
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