Starting March 1, Piedmont Electric Cooperative will have a new policy in place about reconnecting electric service. Make sure you’re up to speed on these changes so you can plan your next home improvement project accordingly.
If the electric meter to your home is disconnected, for any reason, you will need to obtain a certificate of inspection from your county or town electric inspector in order for Piedmont Electric to turn the power back on. In the past, there has been a grace period that allowed us to turn the power back on before the inspection was done, but this will no longer be the case.
As of March 1, 2024, Piedmont Electric Cooperative will not be able to turn your power back on until the final electrical inspection has been submitted to the co-op unless a member signs a release form. To help avoid delays in your power restoration, we recommend contacting us prior to beginning work to coordinate your project so we can reduce the amount of time you are without power.
Our goal is to turn your power back on as soon as possible, but this isn’t always an option without prior coordination. This policy is in place to ensure everyone is kept safe. For example, if you’re thinking about doing a home improvement project, but the inspector isn’t working during that time, it can impact how long it will take to get the power turned back on in your home.
By talking to Piedmont Electric before starting your project, we can help coordinate with you to prevent major downtime and inconveniences.
In most cases, you will need to get an inspection after completing large changes to your home’s electrical system. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Moving your meter base during a siding replacement
- Moving your meter base to a new location
- Adding an addition to your home
- Installing new wiring, boxes or electrical panel boards
- Installing a whole-home generator
- Anytime the meter is removed
It’s always a good idea to talk to your contractor about required inspections before starting your project. While most contractors will tell you upfront whether an inspection is required, it’s better to be proactive so you can better plan and coordinate with us.
Why is it Important to Call Us Before Changing the Electrical in Your Home?
When making large-scale electrical updates to your home, it may be necessary to temporarily disconnect your home’s power to ensure the safe completion of the work. Piedmont Electric Cooperative may also need to perform equipment upgrades on our end as well. If a non-Piedmont Electric employee disconnects power in your home, it registers as an outage on the cooperative’s system, necessitating a visit to reconnect power and incurring additional costs for both you and the cooperative.
Effective March 1, 2024, the cooperative will only reconnect power after the final electrical inspection report from the county or town is received, unless a release form is signed by the member. To minimize delays in power restoration, contact Piedmont Electric before commencing any work.
In addition, certain home renovation projects, such as relocating underground cables, may involve unexpected fees and expenses. To receive essential information about potential service changes resulting from your project, contact Piedmont Electric at 800.222.3107 or info@pemc.coop before initiating your plans.
Are You Making Green Energy Updates to Your Home This Year?
With spring just around the corner, many of us have ideas in mind about how to refresh our homes. If your plans for this year include “going green” by adding an EV charger or solar panel system to your home, your co-op can help ensure the installation is successful.
Before you get started on your green home updates, it’s important to talk to us by calling 800.222.3107 or emailing us at info@pemc.coop so we can tell you what to take into consideration to get the system that will fit your needs.
All electric vehicles come with a 110-volt compatible (Level 1) charging unit, which you can plug into any household outlet. However, if you want to drive long distances or charge your EV faster, then a Level 2 charger or 240-volt outlet is probably a better option.
Over an eight-hour charging period, a Level 2 charger or 240-volt outlet provides about 180 miles of range, compared to the 36 to 40-mile range of a Level 1 charger. However, you need to hire a licensed electrician to install a Level 2 charger or a 240-volt outlet.
Anytime you make electrical changes to your home, it’s important to let us know in case we need to make equipment upgrades on our end or temporarily disconnect the power during the project.
Adding solar panels to your home will require interconnection with our system, so we recommend talking to us before installing your solar panels. We can also provide you advice on getting the right sized system for your home, helping make sure you don’t pay for a bigger system than you need.
By contacting us, we can help you learn more about the interconnection process and determine the rate schedule that is best for you. We can also explain more about how net metering works and answer questions you have about what kind of system you need.
Ensure You Are Following Our New Reconnection Policy
Are you planning a home renovation project this year that will include changes to your home’s electrical? Before you get started, it’s important to call us so we’re aware of the changes. This one simple action can make all the difference in the success of your project, potentially helping to save you time and money in the long run.