Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protect my computer from momentary outages?

Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Not many things are more frustrating than being half way through writing an email or being nearly finished with a paper for a school assignment and having your computer shut down due to a power blink or outage. There is an inexpensive way to protect your computer and to prevent loss of unsaved data due to a power outage.

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available.

A UPS remains idle until a power failure occurs, and then switches from utility power to its own power source, almost instantaneously. While idle, a UPS continuously powers the protected load from its reserves (usually lead-acid batteries), while simultaneously replenishing the reserves from the AC power.

The UPS, in addition to providing protection against complete failure of the utility supply, provides protection against all common power problems, such as noise on the power line from other electronic or electrical appliances and voltage surges due to lightning, Power Company switching operations, etc.

While not limited to safeguarding any particular type of equipment, a UPS is typically used to protect computers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause serious business disruption or data loss. UPS units come in sizes ranging from units which will back up a single computer without monitor (around 200 VA) to units which will power entire data centers or buildings (several megawatts). Larger UPS units for industrial or commercial purposes typically work in conjunction with generators.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies for home or office use are available from retail electronics stores, major department stores, and office supply stores. A quick review of on-line prices suggests that a UPS for a typical home or small office computer system will range from $60.00 to $200.00 depending on size and the length of time you can run the computer without utility power. Please be aware that in most cases the UPS is not intended to run the computer for very long. They are typically designed to hold a load long enough for you to save your work and shut your computer off safely.

What should I do when I experience power outages and power blinks?

BARC strives to keep the power on 100% of the time, but, realistically speaking, 100% is not attainable. An ice storm, a lightning strike, or a windstorm can knock out BARC’s power lines or even interrupt the supply of power from our suppliers outside of BARC’s service area. In 2007, the average customer had power 99.94% of the time. However, if you run a business, even .06% of the time without power can seem to be too much. For that reason, BARC suggests that vital business computers, home computers, poultry and other agricultural operations, and other vital business or home electrical loads be provided with temporary backup power supplies. See the web links below.
Outages can be very short, just a blink, or they can be longer, depending on the cause. In this age of computers and other digital electronic and equipment even a blink is too long, and the computer, microwave oven, or process controller will need to be reset. In the case of a home or business computer valuable data can be lost.
Outages and blinks have many causes. A leafy branch that brushes a power line will cause a blink or several rapid blinks. Farm animals have been known to rub guy wires and cause the wires to sway from side to side, eventually maybe touching each other or a tree limb. This can cause a blink or a longer outage. Squirrels, birds or other animals can cause outages if they come between a “hot” wire and another wire. Finally, BARC’s equipment, such as transformers, insulators, wooden poles, and pole-top switches can fail due to age, manufacturing defect, or even being used for target practice. Outages for BARC customers can also be caused by power outages in other power companies which border and connect to BARC.
If your lights blink several times or even once or if your power goes out completely please call BARC at 1-800-846-2272. We need to know about blinks because they are an inconvenience and aggravation to you, and a blink is usually a symptom of a small problem that will become a bigger problem later. If the lights are out and you think your neighbor has reported the outage we need you to call us as well and report your own outage so we have a complete picture.
When you call, please have your account number handy. It can be found in the upper left corner of your bill. If you don’t have a bill close by then be sure you know whose name the account is listed in. While you are on the phone our Member Service Representative may ask for your 911 address to confirm that we have the correct phone number in the system.
Please follow these links to get information on installing backup power for computers and for information on safely installing an emergency generator for your home or business.

How do I check my home for energy efficiency?

Start by visiting the Home Energy Saver site to run an analysis on your home. The Department of Energy has also put out a helpful brochure that gives great ides on saving energy and money at home.

Where does the electrical energy get used?

These devices typically use the most energy and offer the greatest savings potential when you are considering replacing standard equipment with equipment that is energy-efficient.
   1. Motors

   2. Electric Heat

   3. Electric Water Heater

   4. Air Conditioning

   5. Lighting

   6. Refrigeration

   7. Freezers

   8. Exhaust Ventilation

   9. Supply Ventilation

  10. Electric Ovens

What about normal incandescent and the new fluorescent lights?

A compact fluorescent has clear advantages over the widely used incandescent light — it uses 75 percent less electricity, lasts 10 times longer, produces 450 pounds fewer greenhouse gases from power plants and saves consumers $30 over the life of each bulb.
Six percent of households use the bulbs today, and the number is growing.

Can I get a tax break for installing energy efficient devices and windows?

You can! There are now tax breaks for installing air conditioners, heat pumps, windows,  and insulation due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the new national energy law signed by President Bush on August 8, 2005. Read More...

What is BARC's service area?

BARC's service area includes all of Bath County as well as portions of Highland, Alleghany  Augusta, and Rockbridge Counties. Roughly half of our customers reside in Rockbridge County.

How do I become a member of BARC?

Before making a service connection, a $5.00 membership fee must be paid and an application for membership and electrical service must be completed. The membership fee is refundable after disconnection of electric service and after all final charges have been paid.

Who reads my meter?

WE DO! BARC Electric Cooperative was the first Cooperative in Virginia to complete the installation of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) equipment throughout its service territory. This enables us to read your meter on a daily basis. This information is passed to our computer systems and your bill is calculated according to our cycle billing schedule. You will receive a monthly statement according to the week your cycle falls on.

Can I make advance payments to BARC?

Any person desiring to do so may make an advance payment with the Cooperative at any time. The monthly bills will continue to be rendered, showing the energy used for the period and the balance of the advance payment, or amount due, if any.