How to Pay Your Petit Jean Electric Bill: A Guide for Members

Living in rural Arkansas means relying on Petit Jean Electric Cooperative for reliable electricity As a member, it’s important to understand your electric bill and how to pay it on time This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know about managing your Petit Jean Electric account and paying your bill conveniently.

About Petit Jean Electric Cooperative

Petit Jean Electric Cooperative (PJECC) is a member-owned electric utility providing electricity to over 20,000 homes, farms and businesses in rural areas of west-central Arkansas. Their service territory covers over 3,000 miles across Conway, Van Buren, Searcy, Stone and Cleburne counties.

As a cooperative, PJECC is owned by the members it serves, not by private shareholders looking to make a profit. Any revenues above operating costs are returned to members in the form of capital credits The co-op is also involved in community service and economic development initiatives across their territory

Understanding Your Petit Jean Electric Bill

Your PJECC electric bill provides detailed information about your power usage and charges each month. Here are the key sections to review:

• Account Summary – Shows previous balance, payments received adjustments and new charges for the month.

• Meter Readings – Lists the beginning and ending meter readings for the billing period along with total kilowatt-hours (kWh) used.

• Daily Usage – Graph showing your daily kWh usage since your last bill.

• Messages – Important notices about rates, outages, and co-op programs.

• Account Number – Needed for account management.

• Due Date – Payment must be received by this date to avoid late fees.

• Amount Due – Total you owe for the current billing period.

Carefully reviewing the details on your bill each month helps you understand your electric usage and avoid unexpected charges.

Ways to Pay Your Petit Jean Electric Bill

PJECC offers several convenient payment options so members can pay their electric bill in the way that works best for them:

• Online – Pay via SmartHub, the co-op’s online account management system. Allows credit/debit cards or bank draft.

• SmartHub Mobile App – Download the app to pay on your smartphone or tablet.

• By Phone – Call PJECC at 1-800-786-7618 and pay with a credit/debit card or check.

• Drive-Thru Window – Visit the co-op office in Clinton and pay by cash, check or money order.

• By Mail – Send a check or money order using the payment stub from your bill. Allow 5 business days for processing to avoid late fees.

• Auto Draft – Sign up to have your bill automatically drafted from your bank account each month.

• Prepaid Billing – Pay ahead for electricity instead of receiving a monthly bill.

• In Person – Pay with cash, check or money order at one of the authorized payment locations across PJECC’s service area.

Choose the most convenient payment method for you to ensure your bill is paid on time each month.

Managing Your Account Online with SmartHub

The easiest way to stay on top of your electric account is by using PJECC’s SmartHub online portal or mobile app. With SmartHub you can:

• View current and past electric bills in detail

• Make one-time payments or schedule recurring payments

• Monitor daily energy usage

• Set up usage alerts and reminders

• Report outages

• Request other services

Registering just takes a few minutes at www.pjecc.com or on the SmartHub mobile app. You’ll need your PJECC account number handy. Once signed up, you’ll have 24/7 access to manage payments, track usage, and more.

Payment Plan Options from Petit Jean Electric

If you are struggling to pay your electric bill on time each month, contact PJECC to ask about bill payment assistance programs such as:

• Levelized Billing – Pay a consistent amount each month based on your expected annual usage.

• AdvancePay – Prepay your account to avoid monthly bills.

• Extensions – Request a due date extension if needed.

• Balanced Billing – Make consistent partial payments over several months to pay off a past due balance while staying current on new charges.

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal bill payment assistance for qualifying households.

Discussing your situation with PJECC’s member services team can help find the right solution for your budget. It’s better to request help early before large overdue balances accumulate.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

PJECC electric bills are due by the due date printed on your statement, typically around the 8th of the month. A late payment penalty is applied if the full amount due is not received by the due date.

If the bill remains unpaid, a disconnection notice will be sent stating a specific date when service could be disconnected if payment is not made. To avoid potential disconnection as well as late fees, make sure to pay your bill on time each month.

Setting payment reminders, enrolling in auto-draft, and leveraging SmartHub bill notifications can help avoid missed payments and penalties. Contact member services immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying a bill by the due date.

Tracking Energy Usage and Controlling Costs

Understanding how and when you use electricity allows you to identify waste and adopt habits that can lower your monthly power bills. Here are some tips:

• Analyze your usage on SmartHub and look for spikes.

• Use less electricity on hot summer weekday afternoons when rates are highest.

• Switch incandescent bulbs to LEDs and upgrade old appliances.

• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to control AC.

• Seal air leaks and add insulation to prevent heat loss/gain.

• Take advantage of rebates on efficiency upgrades from PJECC.

• Consider rooftop solar to offset some power purchases.

Little changes can add up to big savings while still receiving the reliable electric service you expect.

Petit Jean Electric Account Management FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about managing your PJECC electric account and payments:

What do I need to set up a new account?
Provide your name, service address, and mailing address if different. A deposit may be required depending on your credit.

How do I change the name on my account?
Contact member services with legal documentation showing the account responsibility change such as a property deed, marriage certificate or divorce decree.

I’m moving, how do I stop service?
Contact the co-op at least 3 days before your move date to have service disconnected. Provide date and new address.

Why is my bill higher than normal?
Compare your kWh usage – it may be increased due to weather or additional appliances. Also check for rate changes.

What is the Blue Sky renewable energy program?
You can opt to pay a bit extra each month to support renewable energy certificates from wind farms.

Who is responsible for repairs after the meter?
PJECC is only responsible for equipment up to the meter. Beyond that, repairs are the member’s responsibility.

Reach out to the knowledgeable member services team at Petit Jean Electric Cooperative if you have any other questions about your electric service, bills, payments or account.

In Summary…

• How to read and understand your monthly statement
• Convenient payment options
• Using SmartHub to manage your account online
• Payment assistance programs for those struggling
• Avoiding late fees and disconnection
• Tracking usage and controlling costs

Paying your co-op electric bill doesn’t have to be a hassle if you understand the process and use the tools available like SmartHub. Petit Jean Electric’s friendly team is also here to help members manage their electric service. Don’t hesitate to contact them with any questions!