4 SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 | SCLIVING.COOP

Co-opConnection

President and CEOE. LeRoy “Toy” Nettles, Jr.

Chairman, Board of TrusteesJames A. Goodson

TrusteesJule Conner

Preston Gainey

David Howell

Louise Kelley

Hamer Parnell

Fred Riales

W. F. Rogers

LaShon Sellers

Don Teal

Pat Thomas-Toney

Office Hours8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday

Corporate Headquarters1355 East McIver RoadPO Box 491Darlington, SC 29540

District Office 1811 North 501 BypassMarion, SC

Report Power Outage (843) 665-4070 Toll-Free (866) 747-0060

Web sitePeeDeeElectric.com

Co-op News Editor Tom Kinard

The Business of Efficiency

James A. GoodsonChairman, Board of Trustees

ENERGY EFFICIENCY ISN’T

A NEW CONCEPT

for electric co-ops. Nationally, we’re known as leaders in helping our members better manage their electricity use.

Pee Dee Electric Cooperative is no exception. We offer Jeff’s Tips each month in South Carolina Living, the H2O Select Water

Heater Program, ERC Loans, Pay-It-Forward pre-pay service and efficiency rebates for installing Dual-Fuel or GeoThermal heat pumps in your home. All these programs and services have one thought in mind - to

help you save money.

And most of our fellow co-ops provide similar services. Surveys by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, our national service organization, found that 93 percent of electric co-ops educate those they serve about energy efficiency, from the publication you’re reading right now to bill inserts to radio and TV ads. We’re

We’re here to help you use electricity wisely

always identifying ways you can boost the energy efficiency of your home to keep electric bills affordable.

Investing in energy efficiency also includes what we do here at PDEC. We were the first South Carolina co-op to be certified Landfill Free, meaning we recycle everything we possibly can, from plastic bottles and engine oil to utility poles, scrap metal and paper.

We’re also upgrading power lines, replacing transformers, and installing advanced metering infrastructure to increase efficiency of our operations.

Soon you will be able to participate in your home’s electrical efficiency. Be looking for more information about Pee Dee Electric’s i-on energy program.

According to a study by the Electric Power Research Institute, Americans could save 236 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030 if utilities everywhere adopted simple energy efficiency initiatives. That’s five times the amount of electricity New York City uses in one year.

It’s easy for you to get started on the path to energy efficiency. Call or visit us at PeeDeeElectric.com to learn more about our energy efficiency programs and services. You can also visit TogetherWeSave.com and discover how making little changes around

NewsAnnual Meeting of Members Well AttendedTHE 71ST ANNUAL MEETING OF

Pee Dee Electric Cooperative saw a large crowd enjoy a free health fair managed by Carolinas Hospital System, an encouraging, multi-media presentation by President and CEO Toy Nettles, goodie bags for all members present and many prizes including energy vouchers and $3,500 in cash plus TVs and more. As usual, the meeting was held on the fourth Saturday in October at the Florence Civic Center. Toy Nettles presentation is available online at PeeDeeElectric.com.

Photos by Page Chestnut or Tom Kinard

High school seniors Megan Morris (LC) and Leslie Stokes represented PDEC on the 2010 Washington Tour. They were recognized at the Annual Meeting by Toy Nettles, President and CEO (L) and James Goodson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Johnny Aiken and his wife, Evelyn, accept the keys to the Grand Prize GMC truck from Brian Kelley, PDEC’s Vice-President of Marketing.

Local entertainer, Todd Norris, enthralled the large Annual Meeting audience with his songs and stories.

Ernestine Powe proudly holds the $400 Energy Voucher she won during the prize drawings. Pee Dee Electric also gave $300 and $500 Energy Vouchers.

PDEC’s George Davis and Mary Jo Martin are shown ready to hand out goodie bags to members who registered at the 71st Annual Meeting. The bags contained a free CFL floodlight along with a program. Many members added informational brochures to their bag as they visited booths and learned about the

many energy efficiency programs offered by Pee Dee Electric.

Robbie Williams (L) and Debra Booker are all smiles as they stand on either side of WIRE coordinator Page Chestnut. The ladies are holding the cash they had just won, $200 and $300 respectively, by purchasing a ticket to help raise money for the annual WIRE Scholarship.

PDEC Board Elects Officers

The Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees elected officers at its November meeting.

“They work for you!”

James GoodsonChairman

James GoodsonChairman

Preston GaineyVice-ChairmanPreston GaineyVice-Chairman

Louise KelleySecretary/Treasurer

Fred RialesChaplain

Fred RialesChaplain

Louise KelleySecretary/Treasurer

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4Source: Cooperative Research Network

Ways to Boost Outdoor Efficiency

Could your garage, shed, barn or other outdoor building use an energy efficiency boost? Try these tips to save energy and money.

The same rules apply for outdoor buildings as houses: add insulation, install energy-efficient windows and seal duct work.

Unplug power tools and battery chargers at the end of the season.

Install motion sensors on outdoor lights.

Install an insulated door and seal the sides and bottom to reduce air leaks.

Jeff’s Tipsby

Jeff SingletaryPDEC Energy Expert

Use less energy without sacrificing comfort during the winter months.

CLOSE THE FLUE WHEN THERE’S NO

fire in the fireplace! If you keep your flue or damper open when there’s no fire, heat will constantly be sucked out of your home.

You want some real cheap heat? Turn to your windows. Keep curtains, blinds or drapes open on windows that get direct sunlight. The heat is free. Remember to close the curtains, etc at night.

If you have some drafty windows and you’re forever turning up the heat to try

and stay warm, try quilted curtains. Whether you buy them or make them from quilted material, the small cost involved can turn into big savings. Of course, it’s much better to seal the drafts for a permanent fix, but quilted curtains can help in the interim.

Aluminum storm windows have been around for decades, but now they’re improved and can really make a

difference in heat loss. Check with your home center for complete details.

When using space heaters, always think safety. Read and follow all instructions that come with the unit. To save money when using a space heater, you’ll need to turn your thermostat down about 5 degrees in the entire house to offset the cost of electricity involved. That’s not a bad idea if you use space heaters in rooms

where you spend the most time and keep other areas cooler. You’ll save about 1 per cent on your energy bill for each degree you lower the thermostat.

Don’t forget, one of the best ways to save money on your energy bill is to add more insulation in your attic. Whether you use blown cellulose or fiberglass batts, get the R-value up and you’ll save money

Call with questions: 843-665-4070 or 866-747-0060.

A portion of the food brought to a recent PDEC WIRE meeting for a regional food bank. This is one of many projects for the WIRE ladies.

WIRE is an organization of female PDEC members from the cooperative’s six-county service area and employees who act as liaisons in the community, supporting Pee Dee Electric in its endeavors to: • improve the quality of life in the Pee Dee

Page Chestnut

• enhance understanding of the cooperative concept of providing electricity and the unique benefits of being a member of an electric cooperative • conduct meaningful, substantive community service both on its own and in support of Pee Dee Electric’s community service activities. WIRE was established in November of 1980. Pee Dee Electric was the first electric cooperative in South Carolina to organize a WIRE chapter. Quarterly dinner meetings begin at 6:00

p.m. at the Darlington Corporate Headquarters. The 2011 schedule includes February 17, May 19,

August 18 and November 17. Call Page Chestnut, WIRE coordinator at 843-665-4070 for more info.

Women Involved in

Rural Electrification

Receive a $500 Rebate From Pee Dee Electric When You Install a Dual-Fuel Heat Pump.

Receive a $500 Rebate From Pee Dee Electric When You Install a Dual-Fuel Heat Pump.

A dual-fuel heat pump is an electric heat pump and a gas furnace all in one. In South Carolina, where temperatures are typically above freezing, a heat pump is the most efficient way to heat your home. In those few instances when the temperature drops below freezing, a gas furnace provides heat more economically than using heat strips. By combining the two, you have the benefits of both systems.

The Energy Experts® at Pee Dee Electric stand ready to answer your questions concerning Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps. Call today: 843-665-4070 or 866-747-0060.

Be prepared for dangerous weather anytime of the year.

Be prepared for dangerous weather anytime of the year. Follow these tips and play it safe around electricity.

Storms■ Stay indoors, away from windows and doors.

■ Unplug electronic equipment before the storm arrives and avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords during storms.

■ If you lose power, call Pee Dee Electric at 843-665-4070 or toll free 866-747-0060 to report the outage.

Generators■ Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household

outlet. Always use the proper power cords.

■ Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.

■ To avoid electrical shock, make sure your generator is properlygrounded.

843-665-4070 Toll Free: 866-747-0060

Visit PeeDeeElectric.com for more electrical safety tips.

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