HECO has a phone number for customers who tap solar

Question: Can someone please explain in plain simple language the summary portion of the HECO bill for us photovoltaic owners? … The parts that are difficult to figure out are the “Eligible for a Refund” and “Bill Refund” sections. …

Answer: We looked first for an explanation on Hawaiian Electric Co.’s website, but its link to “Understanding Your Bill” under the “My Account” label is for conventional customers, not solar-energy ones.

So we contacted HECO, and were directed to a document elsewhere on the site that explains billing for customers with rooftop solar and net-energy metering. Those customers, like you, receive bills that detail both the amount of energy they use and the amount they generate and send back to Oahu’s power grid for credit. The document includes step-by-step explanations for each element of your bill; you can see it at 808ne.ws/1QBnG4n.

The sections you mentioned are found under 2B and 2C, respectively, and explain that charges that are eligible for refund include the energy charge (column M on your monthly bill), the energy cost adjustment (column N), and other adjustments based on kilowatt- hour consumption (column O). Credits for the power you send to the grid can be applied to offset these charges within a 12-month period. Monthly credits cannot be applied to offset the monthly consumer charge or minimum charge, according to the summary.

When credits are applied to a monthly bill, the credit applied (column P) is subtracted from the total bill (column L) to reduce your monthly bill (column Q).

If you have further questions after reviewing the billing summary, you may email or call HECO or visit its customer service center at 1001 Bishop St., in the lobby on the first floor. On Oahu, the number is 548-7311. Complete contact information is at hawaiianelectric.com/customer-service.

Supply your account number so the customer-service representative can view your bill and answer specific questions.

Note: HECO’s Ward Avenue customer-service center closed last month.

Neighbor island recycling drive

Schools on Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai are competing to recycle the most old phone books to raise money and to increase environmental awareness on the neighbor islands. The contest runs through May 15, and is being held in conjunction with delivery of the 2016 Hawaiian Telecom directory on the neighbor islands.

All schools that participate will receive a cash prize, and one will win a grand prize, based on how many old phone books they collect and other efforts to educate students about recycling and protecting the local environment. The program is sponsored by the Berry Company, which publishes the directory.

For more information, including drop-off locations, see SmallBizBigOutcome.com. Click on “Markets” and then “Neighbor Islands”

Auwe

Our Honolulu International Airport is always in need of upgrades for our visitors and residents. Is there any reason why we still have red Christmas poinsettias on the baggage carousels in the main terminal, which have been up since the 2015 holidays? It is bad enough that the airport is so outdated. Don’t you think some other tropical plant or flower would be more appropriate and welcoming? — M.L.

Mahalo

Much mahalo to my two guardian angels. On April 13 as I was walking mauka on Piikoi Street near 7-Eleven, my walker hit an uneven sidewalk and my walker collapsed with me lying on it. I could not move and tried ever so hard to get up. Lo and behold two good Samaritans helped me up, with a few young onlookers. I was so sore I didn’t want to do much except be in pain and hold my knees. They tried to make me feel better by making jokes and making me laugh to get my mind off of the pain I was in. It really worked and I finally stood upright. Thank you both for being there at the right time and moment. — June

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.