Simplifying Bill Pay for Arab Electric Cooperative Customers

Paying your monthly electric bill can be a hassle – searching for the bill, writing a check, buying stamps, mailing it off and hoping it arrives on time. But it doesn’t have to be with the easy online bill pay options offered by Arab Electric Cooperative (AEC). As an AEC customer myself, I want to share how the cooperative’s bill pay system has made my life simpler.

An Overview of Arab Electric Cooperative

First off, a quick background on AEC. It is a not-for-profit electric cooperative providing power to residential and business customers in Northeast Alabama AEC is headquartered in Arab, AL and serves parts of Marshall, Blount, Cullman and Morgan counties.

Some key facts about AEC

• Formed in 1936 to bring electricity to rural areas
• Over 21,000 meters served
• Governed by a 9-person board elected by members
• Not-for-profit co-op owned by customers
• Offers affordable rates and excellent service

Now that you know a bit about AEC let’s look at the bill pay options they offer customers like us.

Online Bill Pay Through Nexbillpay

The easiest way to pay your AEC electric bill is through the online bill pay system. AEC partners with Nexbillpay to give customers a fast, secure way to pay 24/7 using a debit/credit card or e-check.

To use online bill pay, you first create an account on the Nexbillpay website. You’ll need your AEC account number from your monthly statement. The signup process only takes a couple minutes.

Once your account is created, you can log in anytime and see your current AEC balance. Enter your payment info, submit the payment, and you’re done! It’s so quick and convenient.

I pay my AEC bill online each month. It only takes about a minute, and I receive a confirmation email with my payment details. The charge shows up on my credit card statement as “Nexbillpay.”

Paying online saves me the time of writing and mailing a paper check. It also ensures my payment arrives on time, avoiding any late fees.

Benefits of Online Bill Pay

Here are some of the great benefits of using Nexbillpay for AEC electric bills:

• Fast – Takes just minutes to login and pay each month.

• Easy – Simple signup and payment process through the website.

• Secure – Nexbillpay uses encryption to protect your financial information.

• Convenient – Pay anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Saves Time – No more writing checks, buying stamps and mailing bills.

• Payment Confirmation – Get emailed confirmation with payment details.

• Avoid Late Fees – Online payments processed instantly to avoid late charges.

• Flexible – Use credit, debit cards or e-check as payment methods.

Online bill pay really does make managing your electric bill stress free. I don’t know why anyone would want to go through the hassle of mailing payments anymore!

Other Ways to Pay Your AEC Bill

While online bill pay is the simplest option, AEC does offer other ways to pay your monthly electric bill if you prefer or need them.

Pay by Phone

You can pay over the phone by calling AEC at 256-586-3196 and selecting option 1. This automated phone payment system is available 24/7. Have your account number and payment info ready when you call.

Pay by Mail

If you want to mail your payment, send your check or money order to:

Arab Electric Cooperative
P.O. Box 1068
Guntersville, AL 35976

Be sure to allow 5-7 days for mailed payments to reach AEC and be processed to avoid late fees.

Pay in Person

You can drop off a payment at AEC’s office located at:

331 S. Brindlee Mountain Pkwy
Arab, AL 35016

AEC accepts cash, checks, money orders, and debit/credit cards. Their office hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Pay at Other Local Spots

AEC has partnered with local businesses that accept electric bill payments. In Arab, you can pay at Walmart, Advance America, and Cash Express. Other payment locations are scattered throughout AEC’s service area.

Automatic Bank Draft

You can authorize AEC to automatically draft your electric bill payment each month directly from your bank account. This ensures your payment is always on time. Download the authorization form from the AEC website and mail it to their office to set up automatic bank draft bill pay.

What If You’re Having Trouble Paying?

I know money can be tight, and electric bills seem to always come due right when you’re short on cash. If you’re struggling to pay your AEC electric bill, don’t ignore it – call them!

AEC has specially trained staff ready to help members in need. They will work with you on a payment plan or discuss other assistance options. I recommend calling their office at 256-586-3196 to speak with a customer service rep. Explain your situation and difficulty paying, and they will offer solutions tailored to you.

Here are some of the ways AEC can help if you’re facing financial hardship:

• Payment arrangements – Set up a monthly payment plan that works for your budget.

• Extensions – Get some extra time to pay your bill in full.

• Budget billing – Pay a fixed amount each month to even out seasonal highs/lows.

• LIHEAP assistance – Federally funded program helps pay utility bills.

• Project SHARE – Donations provide bill payment help for needy families.

• Avoid disconnection with help.

The worst thing you can do is not communicate with AEC. They understand hardships happen and want to help members through them. Don’t wait until you receive a disconnection notice – call them right away if paying your bill is difficult.

Why I Appreciate Arab Electric Cooperative

As a long-time customer, I’m grateful for the reliable electric service AEC provides. But it’s not just their day-to-day power delivery that makes me a fan.

AEC’s easy bill pay options, excellent customer service, and assistance programs for struggling members are what really impress me. They make life a little easier, which goes a long way in building loyalty.

AEC truly cares about the communities they serve. They are local people taking care of neighbors, not some faceless, profit-driven utility giant. AEC’s roots as a member-owned electric cooperative are still evident today.

I’m proud to be an AEC customer. Their affordable rates, quality service, and bill pay convenience are unbeatable. I’m happy to recommend AEC to family and friends looking for an electric provider in Northeast Alabama.