UCNSB News

Due to the historic cold weather just experienced and subsequent high electric consumption, upon receipt of your bill, please contact our Customer Service Department if payment arrangements will be needed.Our Customer Service Representatives are available by calling 386-427-1361, emailing us at customerservice@ucnsb.org, or stopping by our main office at 200 Canal Street. Click here for a graph showing high energy demand when temperatures are low.

The UC now accepts Visa and MasterCard Credit and Debit cards for payment at our main office building, 200 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, or online via our E-Access customer account portal. The E-Access link is available on the right hand side of our home page. In addition to paying your bill online, E-Access allows you to view past statements, order electronic delivery of bills, and make service requests. If you have any questions about getting started, please call Customer Service at 386-427-1361.

Did you know our residential rates are in the lowest third of Florida's 57 electric providers? Or that 90% of the UC's small business customers pay lower electric rates than FPL? Due to the current economy, any spending has become a concern in everyone's budget. As your local, low-cost utility provider, the Utilities Commission has developed an informational sheet to provide you with a further understanding of UC rates. Click here for a copy.

Tier 1 Agreement (up to 10 kW)
Net Metering Application
If you are a U.C. electric customer and are considering the installation of an renewable generation system (e.g. solar panels) on your home or business, you need to make application to the Utilities Commission prior to connection. There are also insurance requirements under this tariff. Click here to be redirected to the Engineering Department page to access these documents, the Net Metering Rider Application and applicable Interconnection Agreement.

There are now a limited number of rebates available for the 2009-2010 fiscal year for customers who undertake energy conservation initiatives. Duct leak repair and added insulation rebates are available for residential customers, and LED EXIT sign rebates are available for commercial customers.

Rebate will be given in the form of a credit on your UCNSB account, and restrictions apply. Click here for more information!

The St. Johns River Water Management District irrigation rules have changed effective Nov. 1, 2009 (daylight saving time). You may now water only one day per week. Homes with odd numbered or no addresses may water on Saturdays. Homes with even numbered addresses may water on Sundays. Non-residential properties may water on Tuesdays.

Additional Information:

• These restrictions do not apply to reuse water.
• Water only when needed and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Water for no more than one hour per zone.
• Restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water and water from public and private utilities.
• Some additional exceptions apply.
• For more information or questions about the watering restrictions, please call (800) 232-0904.
• Learn more about SJRWMD's lawn and landscape irrigation rule.
  

As approved by the Utilities Commission at the Oct. 19 regular meeting, there are new internet service rates in place beginning with this month's statement. The cost of each internet service has been increased by $1. If you have any questions about the new rates or your service, please call our Internet Department at 386-427-1361 option 6. Click here for a full listing of our internet rates.

The Utilities Commission:

• Is a political subdivision of the State of Florida created by the Florida Legislature.
• Provides utility services for approximately 25,000 customers, 72% of whom live in the City of New Smyrna Beach and 28% in the County.
• Is a $70 million, local, high-skill level employer.
• Is not a taxing entity, and UC activities do not use money from taxes.
• Is a cost-only, zero-based-budget business that is not permitted to charge any profit from its sales or retain any surplus from its earnings.
• Is not permitted to provide free services of any kind or provide any preferential rates.
• Provides 6% of its revenues or over $3.5 million to the City annually.
• For the fourth straight year, is not planning an increase in electric, water or sewer base rates.

For more information and the complete bill insert, click here.

The Utilities Commission recently updated the service fees in order to recover the costs of service:

• Service turn on/off, during regular working hours: $35
• Service turn on/off, after hours, emergency only: $150
• Reconnection after disconnection for nonpayment: $50
• Wastewater credit request: $35
• Underground electric service, residential: $275

Click here view the PDF containing all the updates.

The Load Management program gives you the chance to save up to $7.50 per month on your electric bill. And now you can get a free LED nightlight when you sign up!

Load Management is a method of controlling the demand of power within our electric system.When you sign up for this program, you allow us to install a load management receiver on your central air/heat unit and electric water heater. This is a radio controlled unit which enables us to shut off your appliances for a few minutes during certain time intervals.

Most people do not even notice that load management is in use. In exchange, we credit your electric bill for up to $7.50 per month, or $90 per year.

This program is offered to any residential UC customer who uses our electric for their central air conditioner and/or their water heater.

See a Customer Service Representative when you turn in your form to receive your free nightlight. Limit one nightlight per customer and available only to new load management customers.

Click here for more information.