The COVID19 pandemic has impacted many of our local small business members, and we wanted to take a moment to provide resources to help you. Whether you're operating with modified business practices or trying to re-open on a shoestring budget, your electric co-op is here to help connect you with information and to be your trusted energy advisor.

ENERGY INFORMATION & RESOURCES

As your electric provider, we are here to help you use your energy as efficiently as possible. Your electric bills shouldn’t be among the many challenges your business is facing right now, so here are some ways you can save energy and money.

• Tips to Help You Save During Downtime: Here are some helpful things to remember while you’re operating on reduced hours or services.
• Analyze Your Usage: Use the Power Portal to monitor your energy use and keep those bills down.
• Rate Analysis: Our Energy Management team can review your energy usage and make a rate recommendation.
• Virtual Energy Audit: We are practicing social distancing, but we are available to provide virtual energy audits. Now, more than ever, let us help you find ways to save on your energy costs.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

If you’re a small business owner looking for relief, you may qualify for financial assistance through the following resources. In addition to these national and statewide organizations, your local cities and chambers of commerce may be able to help you navigate federal programs or secure local grants.

Local Colorado Resources for Small Businesses

• State of Colorado COVID Business Resource Center
• Help Colorado Now
• Colorado Enterprise Fund
• Adams County Small Business Stabilization Program
• Weld County Business Resources

National Resources for Small Businesses

• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• USDA Rural Development
• IRS Employee Retention Credit

PAYMENT OPTIONS & ASSISTANCE

We offer several convenient ways for you to pay your bills at a safe distance and may be able to assist you with your electric bill payments.

• Online & Mobile App: Pay online or with the United Power mobile app.
• Pay Now: We know you’re busy. Pay Now allows you to make a quick, secure payment online without a password. 
• Payment Kiosk: Still prefer to pay in person, or make a cash payment? Use one of our kiosks open from 5 am – 10 pm.
• Payment Arrangements & Co-op Cares Fund: If you are having trouble making your payments, please reach out to us. We can help schedule a payment arrangement and if you are economically impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for an energy bill assistance grant from our Co-op Cares Fund.

United Power proudly stands with our locally owned small business members, and we are here to power you back into business. For energy information, expert advice, or billing questions, please reach out to us at 303-637-1300.

Summer is just around the corner. Although the spring has given us brief reprieves from winter weather, soon the summer heat will arrive. With more people expected to work from home this summer, temperatures might not be the only thing rising.

Your air conditioning is one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home, accounting for more than 15 percent of your total energy usage. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include the use of this additional appliance. However, when United Power introduced its demand rate in January 2019, it also lowered the cost of energy – which means two things for members. 

Most members will not see a significant increase to their monthly bills despite January rate increases. With the decrease in cost of energy corresponding to the demand rate increase, bills should stay fairly level. The average increase for members on the standard residential rate when increases took effect was less than $2/month. Rate increases also gave members more control over their bills by allowing them to choose when to use appliances, keeping demand low and bills even lower. The graphic below demonstrates appliance stacking and how staggering their use can save on demand. 

United Power has also provided tools to assist members in monitoring and controlling their energy usage. The Power Portal, for example, provides a custom dashboard detailing energy usage patterns and identifying peak demand allowing members to determine what behaviors are driving their demand. The cooperative also launched a new demand calculator this year to give members an idea of what appliances are consuming the most energy and contributing to demand charges. With air conditioning being a main culprit during the summer, United Power also offers a rebate on energy efficient A/C units. 

The majority of summer energy efficiency tips revolve around creative ways to keep your home cool without overburdening your air conditioning. You can find some of these energy efficiency tips below. 

Review the United Power website more information about demand and available rebates.

Summer Energy Efficiency Tips

Although summer is still a few weeks out, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to use energy more efficiently. Summer utility bills can be higher, but with a little preparation, you can see big savings on your summer energy usage. 

Cross ventilate your home. Colorado’s mild climate makes cross ventilation a perfect way to cool your home without using excess energy. Cross ventilation uses wind moving through your home to cool it naturally rather than by using an appliance like your air conditioner. Simply open windows in the morning or evening to let the natural cool air in and turn off the A/C.

Block out the sun. Another way to keep your home cool and give your air conditioner a break is to close blinds or curtains. Open windows allow light in which warms the air causing the A/C to work harder to keep your home cool. Keeping blinds closed allows the air to warm more slowly. 

Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans allow you to increase the temperature on your air conditioning unit by up to four degrees without any loss in comfort. They should be turning counterclockwise during the summer. But remember to turn them off when you leave a room. Fans don’t actually cool the air in a room, just the people. 

Use a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats learn your habits and can adjust your air conditioner accordingly. It also gives 24/7 access to your home’s heating and cooling. 

United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.

United Power’s 2020 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 15 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2020 scholarship recipients are:

•     Jade Glaister, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
•     Wesley Swieter, Weld Central High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
•     Madison Harper, Erie High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
•     Skylar Tempel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
•     Calla Winner, Peak to Peak Charter, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
•     Elizabeth Dexter, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
•     Rylie James, Prospect Ridge Academy, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2020 were awarded to Brianna Diaz, Brighton High School; Angelica Fletcher, Prairie View High School; Megan Harrison, Eagle Ridge Academy; Michael Clementson, Frederick High School; Dina Zito, Ft. Lupton High School; Blake LaVanchy, Mead High School; Ivonne Olivas, Weld Central High School; Claire Diekman, Mountain Territory; Jeffrey Fitzjohn, Erie High School; and Claire Fisk, at-large selection.

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients, and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.

Article originally published on April 18, 2020. 

United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment. Due to the unique economic stresses being placed on our members because of the COVID 19 situation, United Power’s Board of Directors has opted to distribute Capital Credit refunds earlier than in prior years. In past years the retirements were made in August, but the United Power Board felt members could use the economic relief now.

“We know that many of our members have been impacted by this health emergency – through cuts in pay, job losses, or increased health costs,” said Bryant Robbins, Chief Executive Officer. “This retirement will provide money back to nearly all our members when they need it most.”

In 2020, United Power is retiring $5.5 million to members. The total amount of money retired is divided among all members and is being issued in May. Additionally, while these payments have typically been issued as checks, more refunds will be applied to bills in order to reduce the need for our members to go to a bank during this health emergency. Members receiving a retirement of $50 or less, will see a bill credit directly on their May electric bill. Those receiving larger retirement amounts will receive a check.

Capital credits represent ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits afforded to members of electric cooperatives. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric co-ops like United Power provide our members with “at cost” electric service—we do not exist to earn a profit. At the end of each year, after all operational expenses have been covered, a portion of any excess funds is returned to the members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about capital credits, or if you have additional questions please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.

In addition to the advancement of Capital Credit refunds, the cooperative has temporarily suspended disconnections and is providing payment arrangements for members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19. The Board of Directors has also established the Co-op Cares fund allocating $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to provide direct assistance to members facing hardships due to the pandemic.

Any members who may have troubles paying their electric bills are encouraged to call United Power at 303-637-1300 and our Member Services team will match them with all of the available resources and assistance options.