FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions from our members. For more information or other questions, please call 377-1587 or toll free in Iowa at 1-800-332-5420 to speak with a Consumer Services Representative. You may also have your questions answered via email.

• How do I apply for electric service from Linn County REC?
• What is the facility charge on my bill?
• What is the EAC charge on my bill?
• Why is my bill higher than normal?
• What are my payment options?
• What are Capital Credits?
• What do I need to do if I plan on building?
• What does Linn County REC do with their old wood poles?
• Does Linn County REC sell their wood poles?

How do I apply for electric service from Linn County REC?

When you sign up for electric service with Linn County REC, a credit check is done using “Online Utility Exchange”.  This credit check is considered a soft hit and does not affect your credit rating.  If your credit is not approved, a meter deposit equal to the highest bill in a 12 month period at the location for which service is requested will be charged. After your account is paid in full by the due date for six consecutive months, the meter deposit will be applied to your account as a credit.

What is the facility charge on my bill?

The facility charge is the fee for the availability of service at your residence, much like the service of other utilities (phone, cable, natural gas, etc.). It includes part of the cost of items such as the lines, poles, meter and maintenance required to have service at your residence.

What is the monthly EAC charge on my bill?

The Energy Adjustment Cost per kWh on your bill reflects the amount we pay for power above or below the base cost that was established at the time of our last rate increase.

Why are my bills higher than normal?

If you receive a bill that is higher than normal, consider the following:

• The number of days in the billing period.
• Have you added a major appliance or made a lifestyle change that causes your usage to rise?
• Seasonal equipment and events (grain drying, Christmas lighting).
• Seasonal heating or cooling extremes.

If you have additional questions or concerns regarding your bill we can send you a booklet called "Use Energy Wisely" to walk you through your energy usage.

What are my billing and bill payment options?

Linn County REC has several convenient billing and bill payment options available. If you have any questions about these options, please call to speak with a Consumer Services Representative.

E-Bill: Linn County REC’s free E-Bill online billing option allows you to receive and review your electric bill securely over the internet. After you have signed up for E-Bill, you will no longer receive your bill and monthly newsletter though the mail.

Direct Pay: This free payment option allows you to have your electric bill automatically deducted from your checking or savings account.

Pay My Bill: Pay your bill online with a credit card, debit card or from your checking account.

Corporate Office/Drop Box: Payments can be made at our office during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except holidays). A 24-hour bill drop box is also available so you can pay your bills at your convenience.

Budget Billing: This plan allows you to pay in equal monthly installments so you know how much to budget for your utility bills. Monthly payments will be equal to 1/12 of your estimated annual billings based on your usage history. Periodic reviews ensure that payments are adequate to cover usage.

Wal-Mart: Pay your Linn County REC bill at any Wal-Mart location across the country. Simply bring your current bill stub and either cash or PIN-based debit card to make a payment.

What are Capital Credits?

Your Cooperative's "margin" is any money left over after all its operating costs have been paid. Since you are one of the owners of the cooperative, part of that margin is yours!

Your share of the margin, called "capital credit", is determined by the amount you have paid for electrical service during the year.

Each year you will be notified of your share of the margins for the previous year.

Between the time you are notified of your capital credit earned and the time it is paid, the money is used to maintain and improve the electric system to ensure your service is the best possible.

Capital Credits cannot be paid back to the members until the Cooperative's loan indebtedness is sufficiently reduced and the financial condition of the Cooperative will permit. At that time, your Board of Directors, in accordance with Iowa law, may begin refunding your Capital Credits to you. Capital Credit payments appear as a credit on your electric bill, generally in the month of September.

What do I need to do if I plan on building or digging?

If you are planning to do any digging, always contact Iowa One Call, 1-800-292-8989, at least 48 hours in advance prior to excavating. When you contact Iowa One Call, the location of underground electrical lines will be marked with paint and/or flags. This will help ensure your safety and prevent disruption of electrical or other utility services.

Once the call is placed, Iowa One Call will notify Great Plains Locating Service, Linn County REC’s locating contractor, to locate your underground electric facilities. Placing this call also notifies other utilities that may have buried services on your property. Iowa law applies to professional contractors as well as homeowners, and includes a variety of projects including but not limited to:

• Planting trees, shrubs or garden
• Building an addition, deck, garage, shed or similar structure
• Installing a fence, septic system or water drainage system

What does Linn County REC do with their old wood poles?

When an old wood pole is taken out of service it is no longer able to support the weight of an overhead wire. When these poles come back to our pole yard they are made available to members, at no cost, under the following circumstances:

1. Poles must be cut into 8 or 10 foot lengths by the member.
2. Poles must be loaded by the member.
3. Poles are picked up during regular office hours.
4. Sign and receive a copy of the pole release form.

Does Linn County REC sell wood poles?

We can provide members wood poles at an installed price. The price varies with length and diameter of the pole. We install the pole as a service to the member because they usually do not have the equipment to haul, dig and set the pole. Steps that members should take include the following:

1. Call 377-1587 to speak with Material Control for current pricing.
2. Call Iowa One Call for locates on your property.
3. Contact Linn County REC operations department for a personal site survey.
4. Schedule installation of pole with Linn County REC operations department
5. Sign and receive a copy of the pole release form.