Your SmartEnergy Profile will:

Transcription

1 the South River EMC communicator July 2016 what s inside New Bill Design New Bill Explanation Equipment Caution Youth Programs TogetherWeSave South River EMC offices will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. PO Box US 421 S Dunn, NC (910) / Follow Us! southriveremc B C D E F Using Your Smart Energy Profile In March, we told you about a new tool called the SmartEnergy Profile. This tool delivers an overview of your personal energy use, while offering suggestions to save energy and money. We invite you to ensure South River EMC has a good address on file. Once you receive your first report you can set up your home's profile to get more useful information customized to your home. If you aren't receiving these s, and you would like to, visit sremc.com and click on SmartEnergy Profile under service options, or click on the SmartEnergy Profile banner ad for more information or to sign-up. Your SmartEnergy Profile will: Give you comparisons of energy use to the previous month and the previous year. Show 13 months of historical use overlaid with average temperature data. Estimate costs based on current data if we have fewer than 10 months of data for your location. Create a personalized energy-savings plan that works for you. Provide a monthly report with energy-saving recommendations. Identify phantom energy user or unexplained use before a big problem occurs. Don't miss the chance to receive this information that could help you save energy and money, as well as help you spot problems sooner. When making changes, you can log into your profile and note these changes to see projected savings. Not only that, but with this program, you'll receive estimates of how particular appliances in your home can affect your electric bill. It might be time to replace a certain appliance. The SmartEnergy Profile also shows rebates offered by the Cooperative after completing energy efficiency improvements. Never before has the Cooperative been able to provide such comprehensive information to you in such a simple way. Currently, 15,000 members are using the SmartEnergy Profile to curb energy use. If you're interested in receiving a SmartEnergy Profile, remember to visit sremc.com and sign-up! South River EMC Communicator JULY 2016 A

2 Your Electric Bill's New Look DETAILS ON PAGE C Dunn Headquarters Office Hwy 421, South Dunn, NC Phone: (910) Toll Free: 1 (800) Fayetteville District Office 6491 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC Phone: (910) Toll Free: 1 (800) billing@sremc.com Achieving Excellence, Empowering Members ACCOUNT NAME MOCK CUSTOMER BILL BILLING DATE 1/28/2016 SERVICE LOCATION HWY 421 SOUTH * DUNN NC ACCOUNT NUMBER DESCRIPTION SINGLE FAMILY MEMBER NUMBER PREVIOUS BILLING CURRENT BILL TOTAL AMOUNT PAID ON CURRENT CHARGES CURR CHGS DUE DATE BALANCE -$ /25/2016 $ /21/2016 -$6.44 DAILY USAGE THIS BILLING PERIOD n kwh n High Temp n Low Temp kwh F Is the best number to reach you still (910) ? If this information is not correct or to add new contact info., please complete an update information form on our web site ( ) or call our office at (910) DETACH HERE PLEASE RETURN THIS STUB WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO ENSURE YOUR ACCOUNT IS CREDITED CORRECTLY ACCOUNT NUMBER DUE DATE AMOUNT DUE /21/2016 -$6.44 P.O. Box 931 Dunn NC CREDIT BALANCE * * ***********SINGLE-PIECE 6 T1:1 6 1 SP MOCK CUSTOMER BILL US HIGHWAY 421 S DUNN NC SOUTH RIVER EMC PO BOX 931 DUNN NC B JULY 2016 South River EMC Communicator

3 New Look Details South River EMC has recently changed the look of your electric bill, putting the information you need in the forefront. When opening your bill, the top will contain contact information for the Cooperative. As you look over the front page, you'll see your account information, including your account number, which is important when contacting the Cooperative about your electric account. There is information from your previous bill, your current charges and due date, as well as the total balance. In this case, you can see that the account has a $6.44 credit. There's also a chart with your daily energy use for the billing cycle. In the center of the page is the place where we will confirm the information we have on file or introduce you to programs to simplify your life. At the bottom of the page is your tear off section that should be sent in with your bill when paying by mail, at the drive through, at the drop box or in the office. On the back side you ll see your billing summary, with current charges and the total amount due, as well as the due date. There s also a chart for the previous 12 months showing the changes in energy use along with your energy use comparison. The Just For You section will have Cooperative information, such as this one, which mentions the annual meeting, as well as your Operation Round Up contribution. If you have any questions about your bill, you can always contact the Cooperative at BILLING SUMMARY Account Activity Previous Balance -$10.44 Payment Received Current Charges From 12/29/2015 To 01/27/ /25/16 Payment /28/16 Electric Charge /28/16 Renewable and Energy Efficiency 0.46 Charge* 01/28/16 NC Sales Tax 7.0% /28/16 Operation Round Up /28/16 SmartPay Participation Fee 5.00 New Charges this billing cycle $ Total Due By 2/21/2016 -$6.44 ENERGY USAGE HISTORY n kwh n High Temp n Low Temp 1,265 1, kwh JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN F Usage Comparison Days of Service Total kwh Avg kwh/day Current Billing Period Previous Billing Period Same Period Last Year JUST FOR YOU Be sure to join us on April 21 for our Annual Meeting of Members at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville. Registration and entertainment at 6 p.m. and the business meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. See you there! Your contribution to Operation Round Up for 2015 was $5.82. Thank you for supporting your community. REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS: MON. - FRI. 8 AM - 5 PM South River EMC Communicator JULY 2016 C

4 President Of South River EMC's Board Dr. E. Sue Godwin-Baker has been elected to serve as president of South River EMC's board of directors. Congratulations Margo Cooper, of Salemburg was the grand prize winner at the 2016 Annual Meeting Of Members. Cooper, pictured here with South River EMC CEO Chris Spears, received the keys to a retired 2005 GMC 4X series truck. Use Caution Near Cooperative Equipment As you find yourself spending more time outdoors this summer, South River EMC reminds you to exercise caution near electrical equipment. Cooperative equipment, such as substations and power lines, carry extremely high voltages, and, if contact is made, the results can be dangerous or deadly. Never climb trees near power lines. If you make contact with a tree that is touching a power line, your body could become the path of electricity from the line to the ground. If you encounter an animal trapped in a tree near power lines or inside a substation, do not attempt to remove it no matter how furry and cute! Call South River EMC or 911 for assistance. These days, we are seeing more remote-controlled devices, like drones and airplanes, which can be a great way to have fun outdoors. But, these gadgets also bring new safety concerns. Remote-controlled devices should never be flown near power lines, substations or other electrical equipment. Remember these safety tips when flying a remotecontrolled device: Keep a safe distance from electrical equipment when you fly. If contact is accidentally made with a power line or a transformer inside a substation, many community members could be left without electricity. Keep the remote-controlled items in sight at all times. Avoid flying if weather conditions are unfavorable. High winds could cause you to lose control of the remote-controlled device. We are providing these tips because your safety is important to us. We hope you will share the message of electrical safety so that you and others can enjoy plenty of summer days filled with fun! Visit sremc.com for more electrical safety tips. D JULY 2016 South River EMC Communicator

5 If Your Child Earned A s, Send A Copy To Us! This is last call for any students earning A's in the school year. The Cooperative will be holding a Give Us An A drawing Tuesday, July 5. This program encourages students with at least one A on their report card to submit a copy for a $25 gift card. A random 15 students will be drawn. Send your report card containing at least one A to: South River EMC Give Us An A PO Box 931 Dunn, NC The report card must contain, the member s name, South River EMC account number, daytime telephone number and mailing address. If the information is not included, the report card will not be entered in the drawing. Best of luck! Didn't make an A this time? Don't worry, our next drawing will be in February Bright Ideas Information Who: K-12 public school teachers What: Grants up to $2,000 for creative classroom based projects. Where: Online at ncbrightideas. com When: Final applications are due September 23. The early bird deadline is August 15. North Carolina s electric cooperatives, including South River EMC, offer these grants. Since 1994, educators statewide have received more than $10.2 million in Bright Ideas grant funding, and well over 2 million N.C. students have participated in 9,800 Bright Ideas projects. For more information, visit ncbrightideas.com or connections@sremc.com. Do Your Kids Want To Go Out To The Park? South River EMC partners with the Fayetteville SwampDogs to sponsor baseball camp for students ages So if you have a child between those ages who loves baseball, there are still chances! Enter to win a scholarship for one of the remaining SwampDog Day Camps, being held July 15 and July 29 at J.P. Riddle Stadium in Fayetteville. South River EMC is offering four scholarships for each camp day. To apply for a scholarship, please mail or the following information to our office: student s name, address, age and daytime phone number. Mail to: South River EMC Camp Scholarship PO Box 931 Dunn, NC connections@sremc.com Please put camp scholarship on the subject line. Be sure to include a note for which camp the child should be entered for, it is not necessary to send multiple submissions for each camp day. The deadline for submissions are July 8 and July 22. Scholarships only cover the cost of the camp. Parents or guardians are responsible for transportation to and from the stadium for camp, which runs from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch and a snack will be provided during camp. Campers are allowed to bring their own equipment, but are not required to do so. Interested in attending camp? Register at goswampdogs.com. If not selected, your child can attend the camp one day for $50, two days for $90. South River EMC Communicator JULY 2016 E

6 2016 Tax Credits You could be eligible for tax credits or rebates by purchasing certain types of appliances, making certain upgrades, or installing renewable energy systems. The following tax credits expire December 31, 2016: Tax Credit: 10 percent of cost up to $500 or a specific amount from $50-$300. Includes: biomass stoves; air source heat pumps; central air conditioning; gas, propane, or oil hot water boiler; gas, propane or oil furnaces and fans; insulation; roofs; water heaters (non-solar); windows, doors & skylights. Tax Credit: 30 percent of cost on: geothermal heat pumps; residential wind turbines; solar energy systems. Tax Credit: 30 percent of cost on fuel cells (residential fuel cell and micro turbine system). More information can be found at energystar.gov. Keep Cool Cutting Costs If heating and cooling is what affects your bill the most, wouldn t you want an efficient system to cut costs? While higher efficiency systems tend to be pricier, it doesn t mean they aren t worth it. A high efficiency system of 15 SEER or greater can make up for the additional cost in energy savings. SEER, or seasonal energy efficiency ratio, refers to the cooling efficiency of your unit. It's important because of the Make Your Home Comfortable Your home comfort is based on many factors, but a few improvements can make sure you reap some energy savings on top of comfort. By insulating and weatherizing your home, you could be improving comfort and cutting costs. Insulation prevents heat transfer, so having enough of the appropriate type of insulation can help keep you cooler. Another consideration, as you pay to keep your home cool, is not to lose the air through cracks and crevices. Every home has areas of infiltration, the entrance of air from outside in and vice versa, but with too much, you re spending money without the benefit. Not only that, but it could let in dust and allergens, affecting your comfort in other ways. If you re ready to make a change and seal it up, South River EMC offers several rebates to make this an affordable project. warmer temperatures in the state. Consider a high-efficiency heat pump. Heat pumps pull heat or cool from the surrounding air or ground, making them more efficient than a system that has to make the warm or cool air you need. In the summer, the system would pull the cool air and boost it to cool your home, without using so much energy to do it. South River EMC offers rebates on the purchase of efficient heating and cooling systems. Air source, or dual fuel hybrid systems, 15 SEER or greater, are eligible for a $200 rebate. A geothermal system, 15 SEER or greater is eligible for a $500 rebate. Central air conditioning is a little different, a 16 SEER or greater unit is eligible for a $50 rebate. For more information on these rebates, visit sremc.com or call x The Cooperative rebates on the following projects: Sealing Rebate: Duct $100 Air $100 Insulation Rebate: Attic/roof $100 Floor/crawl $100 For complete details visit sremc.com or call x F JULY 2016 South River EMC Communicator

7 Make The Right Light Decision Do you want to buy a lot of cheap light bulbs that you have to replace often, or would you rather buy affordable bulbs that you rarely have to replace? That s why LEDs are so great for homes and cold cathodes are so appropriate for agricultural applications. LEDs are bright white lights that use less energy than incandescent bulbs; lasting a considerable time longer, they also don t have as much of an effect on your heating and cooling costs. Cold cathodes are an energy-efficient bulb, not as bright as LEDs, but with long lifespans. If you place them in your poultry houses you won t have to replace them as often as incandescent bulbs, while giving off the same type of lighting, using less energy. If you re in the market for new light bulbs, purchase cold cathodes or LEDs and you could be eligible for a rebate. If you purchase either of these energy efficient bulbs, send the receipt with your name, South River EMC account number, address Are You In Need Of A HERO? A High Efficiency Residential Option, or HERO home, is 30 percent more efficient than a home built to standard building code. In order to be so efficient there is slightly better insulation, fenestration, air sealing, equipment, and lighting packages to deliver savings. There are two ways to build a HERO home: The prescriptive path, which involves complying fully with a list of specific requirements. The performance path, Pool Pump Need Replaced? If you need to replace your pool pump, do so with a variable speed system, it could help cut costs. Single speed pumps use just one speed of water, often the highest and most energy inefficient, for all tasks. A variable which requires an energy cost analysis as proof that the home you're building will have energy costs less than or equal to that same home built to prescriptive requirements. If you re in the market for a new home, this might be an option to consider, with details at energycodes.gov. The Cooperative offers several rebates on HERO certified homes, depending on your involvement. Contractors who build a new HERO certified home that receives electricity from South speed allows you to set speeds for different tasks, such as circulating and cleaning. Slower pump speeds save energy, while also reducing the noise level and wear on not only the pump itself but also on filters, heaters, chlorinators and daytime telephone number to: South River EMC Energy-efficient lighting PO Box 931 Dunn, NC River EMC, are eligible to receive a $400 rebate. Members who move into a new HERO certified home, are eligible to receive a $200 rebate. Members who have a HERO home custom built, are eligible to receive a $600 rebate. Homes must be checked for compliance by a licensed independent HERS rater and all appropriate paperwork submitted. For more information visit sremc.com or call x and other equipment that water flows through. South River EMC offers a $100 rebate on the installation of a variable speed pool pump. For complete details visit sremc. com or call x South River EMC Communicator JULY 2016 G

8 Take Time To Make The Right Choice Most times, when a water heater is on its way to being replaced, you have signs. Sometimes though, a water heater does just quit. Whatever the case, knowing what you want in your next unit, is necessary for a successful replacement. Like most appliances, a water heater carries two price tags, the cost to purchase, and the cost to use it. As water heaters are usually the second highest electricity user in a home, it s best to have an efficient one. The most efficient option might be the heat pump water heater, or HPWH. Working like a heat pump, the unit pulls heat from the surrounding air to heat your water. Although slightly more expensive than a conventional water heater, the unit could save you up to $200 over its lifetime. Maybe you ve decided it s time for a change and want solar water heating. There are quite a few aspects to consider. First, do you have a solar resource to provide for all your water heating needs? Second, are there any regulations against placing solar collectors? Third, would installing a solar water heater be cost effective to your family? Not only that, but solar water heaters are more expensive than a conventional system, although the energy is free. If your family doesn't use a lot of hot water, your rate of return will be lower. Talking with certified installers will give you a better feel for these issues. South River EMC offers two water heating rebates. If you install a solar water heater, you could be eligible for a $400 rebate. If you install a HPWH, you could be eligible for a $200 rebate. So before your system starts to put out the replacement signals, start shopping a replacement. For details on this rebate, visit sremc.com or call x Energy Star Appliances: Energy Savers Is it time to replace an appliance or two in your home? If so, consider replacing yours with Energy Star certified appliances. Energy Star appliances must pass rigorous testing by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and show energy and water savings. After all, who wants to pay a little more for an appliance that won t save them something? EPA's Energy Star program was created to help identify the best ways to save energy. The little blue label says this products is doing the right things to save. Savings have to be made possible by widely available, non-proprietary technology. If you're looking to purchase an Energy Star certified refrigerator, clothes washer or dehumidifier, you could be eligible for a $25 rebate. For details, or to get an application, visit sremc.com or call x H JULY 2016 South River EMC Communicator