Find Everything You Need to Start, Transfer, or Cancel Electrical Services Below

Whether you’re moving into a new home, transferring service to a new address, or canceling your current service, we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible. This section will walk you through each step, ensuring you have all the information you need to get started, make a transition, or close out your account with ease. Explore our resources to find detailed instructions and contact information for each step of the process.

Welcome to Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative!

We’re delighted you’ve chosen Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative's service area for your new home or business. Our goal is to make setting up your electric service as simple as possible.

To ensure a smooth process and avoid any unnecessary delays, please follow these easy steps for electric service setup.

  • To schedule an appointment with one of our Staking Technicians, please call us at 1-800-475-1702 or 641-932-7126 or email us at mbayer@cvrec.com. When scheduling, please provide a cell phone and/or daytime telephone number so we can contact you about your request.

  • Please note that a staking fee of $150 will be required before a Staking Technician is dispatched to your location.

CVEC's Operations Department will arrange an appointment to assess your site location and discuss your preferred service route. Based on this assessment, Chariton Valley Electric will provide a detailed quote for your line extension and any additional costs related to setting up your electric service.

  • For Overhead Construction: You will need to clear a right-of-way onto or across your property and provide the Cooperative with the necessary easements.

  • For Underground Construction:  You will need to clear a right-of-way and provide the Cooperative with the necessary easements. You are also responsible for any re-backfill and reseeding required across your property.

Before construction begins, you will be required to make an advance payment for construction costs. This amount will be calculated using the Cooperative's ongoing records of property and construction data.

Once these steps are complete, your new service will move on to Step 3.

Electrical permits/inspections are mandatory in Iowa for all new electrical installations before they can be energized.

  • Once CVEC receives the permit number issued by the State of Iowa, we can begin construction on our end.

It is recommended to have your electrician or general contractor apply for the permit. 

 

  • Pay All Required Fees and Submit Permits: Ensure that all necessary fees are paid and any required permits are submitted.

  • Complete the Application for Membership and Electric Service: Fill out and submit the Application for Membership and Electric Service to proceed.

Once these steps are complete, your electric service request will be scheduled. Please note that scheduling times may vary depending on our current workload and weather conditions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 800-475-1702 or 641-932-7126.

If you are moving into an existing residential property or acquiring an existing property within our service area, please follow these steps:

  1. Contact  Us
    Call and speak with one of our Member Service Representatives to initiate service transfer.

  2. Complete the Application 
    Fill out and submit an Application for Membership and Electric Service

  3. Pay a Deposit or Provide a Letter of Credit
    Submit a deposit of $200, or provide a Letter of Credit from your previous utility showing timely payments to waive the deposit. The previous account must have been active within the past 12 months to qualify for the waiver. 

  4. Pay Connect or Transfer Fees 
    Ensure you pay any applicable connect or transfer fees.

  5. Submit Identification
    ​​​​​​​Provide a copy of your valid Photo ID.

 

You can submit your completed application and documents by:

  • Bringing them to our office

  • Emailing them to ebiz@cvrec.com

  • Faxing them to 1-844-605-1882

  • Mailing them to P.O. Box 486, Albia, Iowa 52531

For additional information, please contact our office at 641-932-7126 or 800-475-1702.

Stop Service

If you are moving and need to stop your service, please notify us to ensure that electricity and billing account information are properly managed:

  1. Contact Us
    Call us at 800-475-1702 or 641-932-7126 to inform us of your move.

  2. Specify Your Desired Stop Date 
    We strive to stop service on the date you request. Make sure this date is accurate, as reconnect fees will apply if service needs to be reactivated.

 

Change of Address

To ensure that we have your current mailing address and phone number, please complete the following:

  1. Update Your Address
    Fill out the Change of Address Form.

  2. Submit the Form

    • Fax it to 1-844-605-1882

    • Mail it to P.O. Box 486, Albia, Iowa 52531

    • Bring it to our office

Even if you no longer receive service from us, your capital credits account with the Cooperative remains active until the capital allocated to your account is fully paid out.

 

For any questions or further assistance, please contact us at 800-475-1702 or 641-932-7126.

New Builds

Electrical inspections are mandatory in Iowa for all new electrical installations before they can be energized. After the final inspection, the State of Iowa will issue a permit number. Once CVEC receives this permit number, we can begin construction on our end.

To apply for a permit number, please here.

 

Temporary Disconnects

If a member requests temporary disconnection of service and it stays disconnected for 180 days (6 months) or longer, it will not be reconnected or energized until the service passes an inspection conducted by the State of Iowa.

To apply for a permit or to find out more details about the State of Iowa electrical inspection program please click here.

At Chariton Valley Electric all of our watt-hour meters must be accurate to within plus or minus 2% at full and light load. To verify meters are operating within these parameters we test 10% of our meters each year.

If you feel your meter is not working properly you may request it be tested.

At the member’s request, CVEC will perform a field test of the meter. If the meter is accurate within the limits accepted by the co-ops meter inspection and testing program, the utility may charge $25.00 for the field meter test.

The member may request a referee test. This test requires an advance deposit of $30.00 prior to performing the meter test. If the meter is found to be within the plus or minus 2% we will retain the deposit to cover the expenses of the meter test. If the meter is found to be registering outside the plus or minus 2% we will refund the deposit and review the account.


Please call our office at 641-932-7126 or 800-475-1702 to request a meter test.

Service Line Extension Policy

  1. The Cooperative will design and construct line extensions following acceptable engineering practices.

  2. The route of all extensions will be determined soley by the Cooperative, with consideration given to the member’s needs.

  3. The Cooperative and the member will share the costs of constructing the extension equally, up to a total cost of $10,000. This means that for any extension costing up to $10,000, the Cooperative will cover a maximum of $5,000, and the member will pay the remainder. If the total cost exceeds $10,000, the member is responsible for covering all additional costs beyond this amount. The member must provide a deposit, called a Contribution in Aid of Construction, for their portion of the estimated costs. This deposit is due before any line construction begins.

  4. For overhead construction, the member is responsible for providing a cleared right-of-way on or across their property and must provide the Cooperative the necessary easements to complete the extension.

  5. For underground construction, the member is responsible for providing a cleared right-of-way, re-backfilling the trench after construction, and reseeding the disturbed area across their property. The member must also provide the necessary easements to the Cooperative

  6. Any equipment or facilities installed or replaced for the Cooperative's convenience will be covered at the Cooperative's expense.

 

Charges Associated With Service Drops

For both overhead and underground service drops, the member is responsible for all costs associated with the materials and installation beyond the meter.

This applies to:

  • Residential properties: The homeowner is responsible for purchasing and installing the proper materials for the service drop.

  • Small Business, Commercial, or Industrial properties: The business owner is similarly responsible for all costs related to the materials and installation for both overhead and underground service drops.