communicator Weatherization Savings Sheryl Jackson had the wall and ceiling seam caulked to cut down on heated air escaping.

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1 the South River EMC communicator January 2015 what s inside CEO Column Art Contest Youth Programs Water Heaters Together We Save South River EMC offices will be closed Monday, January 19. PO Box US 421 S Dunn, NC (910) / com Follow Us! southriveremc B C D E F H Weatherization Savings Sheryl Jackson had the wall and ceiling seam caulked to cut down on heated air escaping. As a homeowner, you want your home as energyefficient and comfortable as possible. Your bills typically reflect how electricity is used in your home, but as homes settle and age, you might see a change in comfort and, your electric costs. Manufactured homes tend to see a lot more energy use as they settle, as changes are made to the home, and as they age. South River EMC hosted a workshop, Delivering Manufactured Home Energy Savings, for co-op employees from across the state. This workshop involved a one-day class, followed by a day out in the field, which benefited two South River EMC members. The field day included weatherization of two manufactured homes, a single section and a double section. Work included tasks such as: sealing supply duct systems; installing new duct risers; cleaning around air supply grilles; sealing the bottom floor liner; adding insulation to floor and/or attic cavities; conducting a blower door test to determine where sealing needed to occur; and additional caulking. The goal was to help these members improve their home envelope and increase comfort, which will reduce energy costs. Cooperative employees also got to see the work and get a more hands-on feel. Sheryl Jackson and Diana Jackson, no relation, are both feeling more comfortable and seeing lower bills. The floors aren t as cold and it s not as drafty in either home. In fact, the thermostat has been turned down, saving even more. Diana Jackson and her son, Jonah, are enjoying the comforts of the workshop. South River EMC Communicator JANUARY 2015 A

2 Sending A Strong Message To The EPA MESSAGE FROM CEO Chris Spears As we enter the New Year, I send to you greetings and my hope that this year is full of joy and good health for you and your family. In 2014, we spent a lot of space in this newsletter discussing the potential impact of the new EPA regulations on new and existing power plants. The window for comments on the regulation has closed, but I want to assure you that we are continuing to advocate on your behalf to help mitigate the impact of this regulation. There are two particular building blocks within the regulation on existing facilities upon which North Carolina s electric cooperatives, including South River EMC, are offering comment. One item is the North Carolinaapproved Renewable Energy and Efficiency Portfolio Standards (REPS) that are currently in effect. This law was implemented in 2007 and requires North Carolina utilities to meet up to 10 percent of their energy needs through renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures by This requirement is mandated by law and is enforced by the NC Utilities Commission. Additionally, the renewable energy purchases are tracked through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECS). We are asking the EPA to accept this method of evaluation, monitoring and verification for renewable energy resources. Since North Carolina has already adopted its own REPS, we believe the EPA shouldn t supersede these goals and impose additional or different requirements on the state. The second important building block of the regulation is outof-state nuclear generation considerations. States such as North Carolina that own and import generation from a nuclear facility, which is located in another state, should get credit as if that generation is located within the state receiving the benefit of this low-cost, carbon-free energy source. North Carolina utilities and rate payers have made significant financial investments in these nuclear units and we believe we should receive appropriate credit for this investment. If the EPA adopts these two changes, which reflect the advances North Carolina has already made in incorporating renewables and energy efficiency programs into the state s energy portfolio and will properly account for the significant investment North Carolina s citizens have already undertaken to develop nuclear power to meet the state s energy needs, the long-term impact of the new EPA regulations will be less harmful. We will continue to monitor this topic closely and work with our power supplier, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to ensure the voices are heard of 42 million cooperative members across the nation, especially the 33,000 here at South River EMC. B JANUARY 2015 South River EMC Communicator

3 A Piece Of Our 75th Anniversary: Our Location One of the greatest resources of belonging to an electric cooperative is that we are local to you. South River EMC serves parts of five counties: Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston, Harnett and Bladen. South River EMC received its charter on June 15, 1940, with Stedman (in Cumberland County) as the headquarters. Some 10 years later, the headquarters moved to Dunn because of its central location. In 1956, the Stedman district office opened to better serve members in the area. About 14 years later the Eureka district office opened. The new district office in Stedman was constructed for expansion purposes. Five years later, the Eureka district office closed and was replaced with the Anderson Creek office on Highway 210 in western Harnett County. In 1980, the co-op had three offices: the Anderson Creek office, the Stedman office and the Dunn headquarters. In 2000, the headquarters moved from Broad Street to U.S. Highway 421 South in Dunn. And in 2004, the Anderson Creek and Stedman offices were consolidated into the Fayetteville district operations center on Ramsey Street. Now that s locally owned and operated! Dunn headquarters in Additions were added in 1963 and Board Milestone William Tew 16 years Director, District 7 Art Contest For Students South River EMC is holding an art contest to celebrate 75 years of providing electric service to parts of five counties in North Carolina. This art contest is designed to help students demonstrate how electricity impacts their life daily, images of electric equipment or workers, storm restoration or how electric service has changed rural North Carolina since Students are encouraged to be creative and imaginative. Theme: 75 Years of Powering Lives Eligibility: Any student K-12. Categories: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and Participant must register using the official entry form. Please see all rules, as well as the official entry form on our Web site at sremc.com/mycooperative/ Anniversary.aspx. Deadline: Close of business Friday, February 27. South River EMC Communicator JANUARY 2015 C

4 Short Time Left To Apply For Scholarships Do you have a high school senior and are you a member of South River EMC? If so, it s time to get information together for the Power Source Volunteers, or PSV, scholarship. The PSV annually offer at least three college scholarships, with factors including: character, moral standards, academic performance, recommendations, statements of career goals and qualifications and extracurricular activities. The following stipulations are required of applicants: Must live in a home, which receives electric service from South River EMC. Must have a recommendation from his or her high school principal, guidance counselor or teacher. Nontraditional students must provide a letter from their work supervisor or community college advisor. Must submit SAT or ACT scores with their application. The submission deadline is January 23. The scholarship application can be found online at sremc.com, by calling the Cooperative at , extension 2151, or by ing a request to jwahl@sremc.com. The Power Source Volunteers are a volunteer committee comprised of members of South River EMC. The committee members are dedicated to serving the cooperative through community activities and goodwill. Interested In A Trip To Washington, D.C.? June 13-19, three rising juniors and/or seniors will take part in adventures on behalf of South River EMC. These students join a delegation of North Carolina students in Washington, D.C. as part of the Rural Electric Youth Tour, involving more than 1,500 students representing electric cooperatives from across the nation. Experiences students have during the Youth Tour include: Participating in Youth Day and learning about cooperatives; Visiting Capitol Hill to meet with their senators and congressmen; Visiting the sites of Washington, D.C.; Taking a boat trip down the Potomac; North Carolina students also establish a Soda Pop Co-op to provide a supply of affordable drinks while in Washington, D.C. Each student pays a small amount to become a member. At the end of the trip, the cooperative is dissolved and each student is refunded their membership fee and capital credits. Each year, students return with many interesting stories and memories. For more information, call Julie Wahl at , ext or , jwahl@sremc.com. Rejoice About Those A s! South River EMC will hold a Give Us An A drawing on February 9. The drawing is held for students achieving at least one A on their report card. Each of the 15 students whose names are drawn receive a $25 gift card. The program is open to students who are members, or children of members, of South River EMC. Just make a copy of the most recent report card with at least one A and send it to the Cooperative. Please include the member s name, South River EMC account number and a daytime phone number. Report cards should be sent to: South River EMC Give Us An A PO Box 931 Dunn, NC Or scanned and ed to connections@sremc.com D JANUARY 2015 South River EMC Communicator

5 The Whys And Ways Of Electric Use: The Small Contributors This month s article focuses on the roughly 11 percent of energy costs spent on computers, electronics, and lighting in your home. The energy-saving tips on these items are some of the cheapest and easiest to do. First, remember that it s not just what you buy, but how you use it that contributes to energy costs. Consider this, the average household dedicates about five percent of its energy budget to lighting. To start saving, replace standard incandescents with energy-efficient bulbs, like compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, and light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. Replacing 15 incandescent bulbs with energy-saving bulbs could save you up to $50 per year. If you ve already made the switch, consider how you re using these light bulbs. Timers and motion sensors can save even more money by reducing the amount of time lights are on. When replacing bulbs from recessed light fixtures, find energyefficient bulbs rated for that purpose. Keep your curtains or shades open to use daylighting instead of turning on lights. For more privacy, use light-colored, looseweave curtains to allow daylight into the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight. Remember to turn off lights! If you re leaving a room for more than five minutes, turn off the lights. However, if you re just running to another room to get something, leave them on. Frequent flipping can shorten the lifespan of a bulb. Again, consider features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors in lighting fixtures. You can also find solar-powered outdoor lighting. Don t just think about the lighting, remember the electronics. Contributing another six percent to home energy costs, one of the first energy saving practices is purchasing Energy Star certified office products, which use about half the electricity of standard equipment. Selecting energy-efficient devices and turning them off when not in use is an easy step to start following. Energy Star certified computers use 30 to 65 percent less energy than standard computers, depending on use. Using the power-save mode will also help cut usage costs. It also helps equipment run cooler and last longer. Putting your laptop adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically) can maximize savings; the transformer in the adapter uses power continuously, even when the laptop isn t plugged into the adapter. Another misconception is that equipment lasts longer if it s never turned off. It actually means that electronics are running longer and using more energy. Consider buying a laptop when you upgrade; laptops use considerably less energy than desktops. Look for Energy Star certified home electronics. Unplug appliances, or use a power strip to cut all power to appliances, avoiding vampire loads. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when switched off. These vampire loads occur in most appliances such as DVD players, TVs, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. Unplug battery chargers when batteries are fully charged or when the charger isn t in use. Use rechargeable batteries for products like cordless phones and digital cameras. Studies have shown they are more cost effective than disposable batteries. If you must use disposables, check with your trash removal company about safe disposal options. Start saving by making a few small changes and be sure to share the information. Visit these sites for even more energy-saving tips as well as some calculators to see how energy is being used: togetherwesave.com sremc.com energysavers.gov South River EMC Communicator JANUARY 2015 E

6 Water Heating Purchases Take Research, So Make Time We re all guilty of using a little too much hot water in our daily lives whether it s spending an extra two minutes in the shower, leaving the water running while washing dishes or washing clothes on hot water instead of cold. Taken together, these habits of wasting water add up. So it s no surprise that the average household spends $400-$600 a year on water heating accounting for percent of homeowners electric bills The average water heater lasts about years, and when it fails, can leave you in a mess. By doing your research early, you can find out what fits your needs best. And maybe help you save some money. Heat pump water heaters, or HPWHs last years. They are two to three times more energy efficient than a standard water heater, with lower operating costs. The performance is dependent on the location of the unit, which should ideally be located somewhere warm; the unit exhausts cool air. However, HPWHs are closest to a standard water heater. Solar water heaters are another option and they are usually located outside of the house! Solar water heaters can last up to 20 years, but their price tag is a little higher than a HPWH. On the plus side of solar, these systems are about 50 percent more efficient than standard water heating. However, the downside is that solar systems typically require a back-up water heater for days of low production. Also, if your home isn t facing the right direction, or your roof isn t large enough, this might not be the system for you. As is true in most purchasing situations, you need to consider what you need and what you can afford. Speak with installers, visit retailers and make the best decision for you. South River EMC offers a $200 rebate on HPWHs and a $400 rebate on solar water heaters. For details, visit sremc. com or call x The Appliances You ve Been Saving For Inevitably it ll happen, you ll have to buy a new appliance. So, make sure you re prepared to get the best buy for your money. When researching, look for the Energy Star logo. Yes, Energy Star certified appliances do tend to be more expensive, but these appliances can be anywhere from 10 to 60 percent more efficient depending on the appliance. And if you re planning ahead, saving a little money each month, you ll be able to purchase any Energy Star certified appliance from a ceiling fan to a refrigerator. Consider not only color, size and style, but energy use as well when selecting a new appliance. South River EMC rebates on Energy Star certified clothes washers, refrigerators and dehumidifiers. That s right, purchasing any of those three Energy Star certified appliances could earn you a $25 rebate. For complete details visit sremc.com or call x F JANUARY 2015 South River EMC Communicator

7 It s Hard To Believe The Importance of SEER Did you know? Space heating is the largest energy expense in the average U.S. home, accounting for 45 percent of energy bills. All basic heating systems have three components, the heat source- most commonly a furnace, boiler or heat pump-provides warm air or water to heat the house; the heat distribution system such as forced air or radiators moves warm air, steam or hot water through the home; and the control system most commonly a thermostat regulates the amount of heat that s distributed. A heat pump pulls heat from the surrounding air, or ground, to warm your house and can also be used for cooling. They typically last homeowners around 15 years. And the higher the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER rating, the more efficient the system is for your home. Although a SEER rating refers to the cooling factor, it s important in the North Carolina climate. After all, you re more likely to see warmer days than cooler. Also, a heat pump works in cooler temperatures, they re just not most efficient at temperatures around freezing. So mild winters, like those typically found in the Southeast, are great for high efficiency heat pumps. Depending on your space and fuel type, consider one of these three options, an air source, dual fuel hybrid, or a geothermal heat pump. South River EMC offers a rebate on these three units as long as they are 15 SEER or greater. It s $200 for the air source or dual fuel hybrid and $500 for the geothermal. Be aware of fuel type and location before you make a decision. For complete details visit sremc.com or call x What s So Important About Insulation? Most of the time, that s not a question you hear, but when it comes to energy costs, it s something to consider. Insulation, along with weatherization, can cut down on energy costs, as well as building up on comfort. Improperly insulated homes can waste precious energy in both heating and cooling your home by allowing heat transfer. Properly insulating your home with the right insulation, as well as replacing it or adding more as necessary, can both save you money and reduce strain on your heating and cooling systems. As for comfort, properly insulating your home will keep it more comfortable by making it easier for your heating and cooling systems to keep the temperature constant and consistent. Also, due to its sound absorption qualities, insulation can reduce unwanted ambient noises generated by appliances, conversations, audio equipment, or other causes of noise pollution. From air sealing to improving ventilation, home weatherization will help you save money by saving energy. Weatherization includes items such as caulking, weather stripping and sealing. Air infiltration is completely normal in homes, it s just how much infiltration you have that leads to higher energy costs. After all, allowing indoor air into your home means you re probably altering your thermostat to make your home more comfortable. Don t let that happen, by making a few improvements, you can cut energy costs, make your home more comfortable and earn a rebate! Work for a rebate includes: Sealing rebate: Ducts $100 Air $100 Insulation Rebate: Attic/roof $100 Floor/crawl $100 For complete details visit sremc.com or call x South River EMC Communicator JANUARY 2015 G

8 Are LEDs The Way To Go? Try And See Did you know that LEDs were first introduced to the market in 1962? Initially, LEDs only emitted red light, so their uses were limited to indicator lights and lab equipment. Now, however, they are available for use in many applications. Pros consist of longevity, with LEDs boasting a lifespan of approximately 25,000 to 35,000 hours. That s anywhere from two to four times longer than a CFL and 25 to 35 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Yes, LEDs are more costly, but that cost is more than made up for in longevity and energy use. This brings up the next pro, efficiency. While incandescent bulbs and CFLs generate most of their energy in heat, LEDs are cool to the touch, translating into less wasted energy. LEDs are more efficient than even CFLs: A 16.5-watt LED bulb is equivalent to a 20-watt CFL and a 75-watt incandescent. LEDs have other advantages over incandescent lights, including a smaller size and greater durability and reliability. Unlike CFLs, LEDs can also withstand extreme temperatures, and they do not contain mercury. South River EMC offers a $1 per bulb rebate on the purchase of LED or cold cathode bulbs. Simply send your receipt or a copy of it that has an efficient Consider Efficiency For Savings Some of the most important parts of your home are things you might not even consider, for example, the building envelope. As the physical structure that protects the building s interior, the building envelope is an often-overlooked, but key component of any facility, especially your home. The roof, walls, windows, doors, and foundation floor have significant impact on how much energy a building consumes while keeping the elements out. A High Efficiency Residential Option, or HERO, home is focused on that aspect when it comes to constructing a home. There are two different ways to achieve HERO certification: straightforward but inflexible, complying fully with a list of specific requirements for things like insulation, high-efficiency lighting, window U-factors, whole house tightness and duct leakage testing, among other things. Then, there is the more flexible option which requires an energy cost analysis as proof that the home you re building will have energy costs that are less than or equal to that same home built to the HERO Code s prescriptive requirements. Whatever path you chose, your home will be quite efficient, as HERO homes use 30 percent less energy than home s built to North Carolina s standard building code. So consider those options, especially if you re building a new home. bulb purchase with your name, South River EMC account number, mailing address and daytime phone number to: South River EMC Energy-efficient lighting PO Box 931 Dunn, NC South River EMC offers a rebate on HERO homes built in South River EMC s service area. They are as follows: Members who move into a new HERO certified home, are eligible to receive a $200 rebate. For members who have a HERO home custom built, a $600 rebate is available. Contractors who build a new HERO certified home that receives electricity from South River EMC, are eligible to receive a $400 rebate. For complete details visit sremc.com or call x H JANUARY 2015 South River EMC Communicator