AEC adds new features to online bill-pay service

For folks who enjoy the convenience of paying their electric bills online, recent upgrades to Appalachian Electric Cooperative’s web portal are going to make that process easier than ever.

“This is just one more way we’re working to provide value to those we serve,” says AEC Member Services Director Mitch Cain. “Enhancing the online experience for members who pay their bills via our web portal is part of our ongoing commitment to quality.”

Here are some of the new features that are now available:

You can select an option that will send email alerts when your most recent electric bill amount is available, when it is due soon, when it is due now, when it is past due, and when payment has been processed.

You can view an electronic copy of your actual statement bill.

You can link more than one electric account to a single login.

You can see your recent payment history and view your consumption history.

You can select the option for electronic billing, thereby eliminating the need for a paper bill to be sent to your mailing address.

In order to take advantage of the new system upgrades, members (including those who have used AEC’s online bill-pay services previously) will need to register with a new username and password. The process is quick and easy, according to Cain, and he believes the advantages offered by the new features will be worth the minimal amount of time required. “Members using our enhanced web portal can access their account information—and pay their bills—24/7, with no processing fee. They can view and manage their electric account on their schedule, not ours, and that includes nights, weekends, and holidays.”

Because the registration process requires entering the member’s meter number or telephone number, Cain says that it’s important for folks to use the same phone number that is currently on file with AEC: “If you’ve changed your phone number since you set up your electric account with us, no problem. Just call our Service Department at extension 1800 and they’ll be glad to make that change.”

AEC members who are interested in registering are encouraged to visit the Cooperative’s website at aecoop.org and click on the green “Access my account” tab found at the upper left of the homepage. Specific registration instructions are provided, along with a link to the web portal.

“We believe our members will be pleased with this new service option,” says Cain. “Our enhanced web portal lays the groundwork for future capabilities and technologies that are in the works. Our goal is always going to be providing our members with service that is easy and convenient to use and that brings value to their lives and to our communities.”