We recorded today’s episode via Zoom with Casey Hollins, Director of Communications and Public Relations for Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to get some tips for how to conserve energy while many of us are at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our conversation began with Casey explaining REC’s announcement on March 16, 2020 that they will not disconnect members for nonpayment of electric service, nor will members incur late fees or other related fees as a result of nonpayment. She answered my questions about auto-pay payments, options to make a payment now that their lobbies are closed, and walked me through the various ways to set up payment arrangements now so a large bill isn’t so overwhelming in a few months.

Then, Casey gave several tips for how to conserve energy and ultimately save money on your electric bill while usage is higher than normal as everyone transitions to working from home and spending more time in our houses. Her tips included:

• changes in your laundry habits;
• suggestions for saving while using your dishwasher;
• using power strips to manage your “vampire” usage;
• controlling your thermostat;
• cooking outdoors on the grill;
• using REC’s SmartHub to track and monitor your usage.

REC provides electric service to over 170,000 connections in parts of 22 Virginia counties. With its general office in Fredericksburg, VA, the Cooperative operates and maintains more than 17,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Follow REC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.