Entergy Arkansas prepares customers to beat the heat this summer

The company provides proactive measures to help residential customers and communities through the hottest months

Little Rock, Ark. – Summertime brings warmer temperatures across Arkansas, which can translate into financial stress for customers on a tight budget. Studies show central heat and air units account for more than 50% of a customer’s electric usage year-round, and with warmer summer temperatures on their way, customer usage is likely to increase.

To help, Entergy Arkansas is implementing a series of proactive measures that residential customers and communities can take to manage through higher usage in the hot summer months, including:

• Working with customers on flexible ways to pay their bill, including special payment arrangements for those who qualify.

• Making additional contributions for bill assistance to The Power to Care. The Power to Care is an Entergy Arkansas program that is administered by the Salvation Army to assist qualified elderly and disabled customers in paying their electric bills.

• Working with local community partners, such as Arkansas Community Action Agencies and food banks, to provide support. This includes grants for fans through the Beat the Heat program and expanding an Entergy-designed platform to better assist customers with Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) applications.

LIHEAP lowers the energy burden for households by helping with home energy bills, and applications will be accepted through September or until all funds are exhausted. To qualify, customers must provide documentation such as proof of identity and income, along with social security numbers for everyone in the home.

• Conducting energy efficiency audits and implementing low-to-no-cost solutions for residential customers through Entergy Solutions programs.

• Provide a limited number of energy efficiency kits this summer, including kits for all new residential customers, as well as discounts on energy efficient lighting, smart thermostats and advanced power strips through the Entergy Solutions Marketplace. Customers can also get $25 rebates for recycling old appliances through the new refrigerator and freezer recycling offer.

“Our billing assistance programs and resources can make a real difference in the lives of our customers, especially those who may be struggling financially,” said Ventrell Thompson, vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas. “We want to make sure customers know we understand their struggles and are proactively reaching out to help before summer comes to provide solutions that meet their needs.”

Implementing energy efficiency measures before the heat of the summer arrives can help customers save money all season long. For example, if a customer turns down a thermostat below 78 degrees, the bill could be as much as 3 to 5% higher for each degree colder. If customers keep the thermostat at 68 degrees, their usage can be as much as 30% higher. Getting air conditioners inspected annually can make a difference as well.

The company also offers several bill management tools that allow customers to gain a better understanding of their energy use and better manage their payment options.

• myentergy offers several flexible options to choose how your energy bill is calculated, as well as when, where and how you pay it. Customers can log in to their myentergy account and their myadvisor dashboard to access a number of useful resources, usage and cost, bill history, bill projection, bill analyzer and more.

• Download the Entergy App for quick and easy transactions: App Store | Google Play

• Paperfree billing allows customers to get their Entergy bill delivered directly to their email as soon as it posts.

• Auto Pay allows customers to avoid late fees, writing checks and paying for postage by having their bill automatically deduct from their bank account.

• Pick-a-date allows customers to take full control of their budget by paying their bill on the date that works best for them.

• Level Billing allows customers to keep their Entergy bill around the same amount each month.

More information on our enhanced programs and services to help residential customers, as well as customer resources and frequently asked questions, can be found at www.entergy.com/billhelp or by calling 1-800-ENTERGY.