During this time of uncertainty, when many members are staying in or working from home, reliable electric service is more important than ever.
We have implemented several steps to ensure you have the service you need, while working to protect the health and safety of our workforce and our community.
Extended business hours
On Saturday, March 21 we will staff our call center from 10 am to 2 pm to allow members additional time to speak with a live representative.
With our offices closed to the public and many people practicing social distancing, this voice-to-voice interaction will provide members the convenience of extended business hours and the reassurance of being able to speak to a representative about their account, make payments and payment arrangements, request service maintenance such as reporting a security light that’s gone out, and more.
Call 1-800-942-3141 to speak to a representative.
We will continue this practice as needed during the pandemic.
Help for financial hardship
As of March 16, LEC suspended disconnection of electric service for non-payment, so that members experiencing financial hardship due to loss of income have more time to pay.
We will continue to read meters and send bills.
Fortunately, the more moderate temperatures of spring have historically led to reduced energy use.
Members are encouraged to make payments as they are able to avoid accumulating an excessive amount due.
When the suspension of disconnection for non-payment is lifted, we don’t want members to be unprepared with a high balance.
For years, the co-op has hosted charity events to raise money for members who have trouble paying their electric bills through the Cooperative Caring program. In addition, Member Service Representatives can provide community assistance and emergency relief resources. Call 1-800-942-3141 to find out more.
More ways to do business
Although our lobbies are closed to walk-in traffic, we maintain essential day-to-day operations.
Employees who are able to effectively work from home are doing so, but line crews and customer service representatives will remain available, and we are working to safeguard their health and safety.
Our drive-through windows and payment kiosks in Laurens and Mauldin will remain open during normal business hours.
Members can also do business with us remotely:
- CONTACT US at 1-800-942-3141, or customercare@laurenselectric.com, or via our app.
- MAKE PAYMENTS by phone, in the app, online at https://billing.laurenselectric.com, or sign up for our SimplePay bank draft option at https://bit.ly/39ZSPk0 to have your payment deducted from your bank account on the due date.
- MANAGE ACCOUNTS via our Member Portal at https://billing.laurenselectric.com or by using the free LECConnect app, available for Apple products in the app store (https://apple.co/2U49tZ3) and for Samsung products in Google Play (https://bit.ly/2TPe9TT).
Manage electric use and bills
The cooperative offers different programs and options to manage usage and billing.
AveragePay makes your electric bill predictable by using a rolling average of your eleven previous months’ usage plus your current balance. Because of the rolling average, your monthly bill will change slightly every month but you will never have the large ups and downs that could cause you to get down and out.
The EasyPay program is a pay-as-you-go plan that allows you to pay when you want (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) in the amount you want with no late charges, disconnect fees or reconnect fees. This plan can help members who want to set their own payment schedule, budget, or monitor and manage their electricity consumption.
The Member Portal allows you manage your account online. Members can see billing and payment history, view energy usage analysis, and get notifications about electric usage. Log in to your account at billing.laurenselectric.com to get started.
Laurens Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative serves 54,000 member-owners in Laurens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Newberry, Union, and Abbeville counties. Since 1939, the co-op has been dedicated to being the provider of choice for energy and related services in the Upstate.