COLBY WELLS CEO
Ready When it Matters Most April 13
is Lineworker Appreciation Day
As a member-owned electric cooperative, we have the privilege of serving the communities where we live and work. Every day, we see firsthand what it takes to keep the lights on for the homes, farms, schools and businesses that depend on reliable electricity.
In April, we pause to recognize the men and women who make that possible — our lineworkers.
When storms impact our communities and outages occur, members experience the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are ready when it matters most — leaving family dinners, heading into difficult conditions and working long hours through the night to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. That readiness comes from rigorous training, deep experience and a shared commitment to serving our members.
What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system — they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to everyday life, to local businesses, schools, farms and emergency services.
Electric cooperatives are built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are often the first to respond and the last to leave, working behind the scenes to ensure reliable service for the members we serve.
At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events, crews stand ready to assist neighboring cooperatives — sometimes close to home and sometimes across state lines — to help restore power. This cooperative spirit strengthens all electric cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.
We understand that any time the lights go out, it can disrupt daily life. We are grateful for the patience and encouragement our members
show during these moments.
Linework is demanding, physical and at times dangerous work. Our crews approach each job with a strong focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.
On April 13, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank our lineworkers for their dedication and service — the backbone of our cooperative.
To our lineworkers: Thank you for your hard work, your readiness and your unwavering commitment to powering and connecting the communities we serve.
Small Fixes, Big Savings
One member’s energy story
At South Central Arkansas Electric Cooperative, we often remind members that the condition of heating and cooling equipment can have a big impact on monthly energy use. One of our own employees, who is also a member, recently experienced that lesson firsthand.
Like many members, she noticed her winter electric bills climbing higher than expected. In January 2024, her home used more than 6,400 kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity — resulting in a bill of over $800. While winter weather often brings higher usage, these numbers suggested something more might be going on.
While most members naturally focus on the dollar amount of their bill, the kWh listed on the statement is actually the best way to understand how much electricity a home is using. A kWh is simply a measurement of energy — the amount of electricity used when a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour. The higher the kWh number, the more electricity is being used.
After taking a closer look at the home’s heating system, the issue became clear. Her heating unit wasn’t operating properly, and ductwork problems were causing the system to work much harder than it should to heat the home. When heating equipment struggles to maintain the desired temperature, it can run longer and use significantly more electricity — which shows up as higher kWh usage.
Once the unit was serviced and the ductwork issues were corrected, the difference was dramatic.
The following winter told a very different story. In January 2025, the home used just 1,734 kWh — nearly 75% less electricity than the previous January. The electric bill also dropped substantially, falling from more than $800 the year before to about $264.
Looking at the kWh comparison makes the impact clear. When the heating system was struggling, electricity use spiked. Once the equipment was operating efficiently again, usage dropped significantly.
This experience is a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest energy savings come from addressing equipment issues that may go unnoticed. Heating and cooling systems account for the largest portion of energy use in most homes, especially during the coldest and hottest months of the year.
If your kWh usage suddenly increases or your heating or cooling system seems to run constantly, it may be worth having a qualified technician inspect the equipment. Regular maintenance, proper insulation and well-sealed ductwork can make a significant difference in both comfort and energy costs.
As this member discovered, fixing the problem not only improved the comfort of the home — it also led to substantial savings on monthly electric bills.
At South Central, we’re always here to help members better understand their energy use and learn how to read the kWh on their bill, which is often the best indicator of how efficiently their home is operating.
Download the free SmartHub app to monitor your energy use or schedule a free energy audit at scaec.com/homeenergy-solutions-chess/
By analyzing past electric bills, South Central Arkansas Electric employee and member Kayla Funderburk (top left) of Kirby was able to discover her home's HVAC unit wasn't working properly and was able to get it repaired, lowering her energy usage and electric bills.