CHESS Success Story

South Central Arkansas Electric helps members lower bills

For Jody Nelson of 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, Jody’s electric bill told a familiar story for many members living in homes: high usage, higher costs and rising worry. His monthly bill averaged 6,832 kilowatt-hours resulting in an average $211.74 bill due to an assortment of energy-consuming space heaters and window units struggling to keep up.

“I was down to the point where I was willing to try anything,” Nelson says. “Some little $200 gadget off Amazon or whatever might help. But then I thought … maybe I should call the professionals.”

That call changed everything.

Nelson requested an energy audit through the cooperative’s website not really knowing what he’d signed up for.

“I expected something like a home inspector walking around telling me to add insulation or upgrade this or that,” he says.

Instead, the audit was a turning point.

When the cooperative’s representative 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 Nelson learned that most of his energy use came from outdated equipment simply unable to keep up with seasonal temperature swings.

What he didn’t expect was to qualify for a new energy-efficient mini-split system provided at no cost through the cooperative’s energy-efficiency program for qualifying members.

“I was completely blown away,” Nelson says. “I knew I needed something, but I could never have afforded a unit like that at the time.”

Nelson also made small adjustments that amplified the impact of the mini-split: hanging inexpensive curtains between doorways to reduce heat loss, blocking unused spaces and retiring the energy-hungry space heaters and window units that once ran constantly.

“This one unit takes care of the kitchen, living room, hallway, bathroom — basically the whole back half of the house,” he says. “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.

More than the equipment, what impressed Nelson most was the experience.

“I’ve never dealt with an electric co-op before,” he says. “They made it simple. It didn’t feel like I was asking for a handout. It felt like they were helping a member.”

He tells friends and neighbors with older homes not to hesitate, “If your bills are high, and you don’t know where to start, just reach out. The process was easy, and the results were life changing.”

Ashley Halcombe, South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s billing specialist, says the first step is simply comparing your current bill to the same month the year before and checking your daily use in SmartHub, the cooperative’s mobile app. Many times, higher bills come from weather swings, a longer billing cycle or changes in household activity.

“But when something looks unusual, give us a call. We’re here to help, not judge,” she says.

For members feeling overwhelmed, Halcombe offers this reminder:

“You’re not alone. We’ll walk you through your bill, help you understand your usage and point you toward programs that fit your situation. That’s what we’re here for.”

Nelson agrees — because he’s lived it.

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

Here are a few of the resources available:

Free energy audits

South Central Arkansas Electric’s energy-efficiency program is available to qualifying members at no cost. The program is based on guidelines that include square footage of home, age of home and past energy usage over a 12-month period. To apply, visit scaec.com/home-energy-solutions-chess.

For qualifying members, an audit can reveal hidden issues such as air leaks, inefficient heating and cooling or appliances that draw more power than expected.

Levelized billing

This program averages your past 12 months of usage so seasonal peaks and valleys level out. It’s ideal for members who prefer predictable month-to-month payments. Visit the Payment Options page to enroll.

Payment assistance

South Central Arkansas Electric connects qualified members with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) when funds are available. Check eligibility at your local Community Action Agency.

SmartHub energy usage tracking

Members can monitor their daily and hourly energy use, helping them spot problems early — before the bill arrives using the SmartHub Energy Explorer. Visit scaec.com, or search “SmartHub” in your phone’s app store for the mobile version.