4 SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | APRIL 2016 | SCLIVING.COOP

Co-opConnection

Critical ConnectionsBehind the Power

President and CEOBrian Kelley

Chairman, Board of TrusteesJames A. Goodson

TrusteesJule Conner

Preston Gainey, Vice-Chairman

David Howell

Louise Kelley, Secretary/Treasurer

Hamer Parnell

W. F. Rogers

LaShon Sellers

Don Teal

Pat Thomas-Toney, Chaplain

Lee C. White

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 Toll-Free (866) 747-0060

WebsitePeeDeeElectric.com

Co-op News Editor Tom Kinard

Pee Dee Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

APRIL 11—National Lineman Appreciation Day, so it is appropriate that we take a moment to recognize the people that often work in brutal weather conditions to ensure we

all have safe and reliable power. In fact, linemen are often first responders during storms and other catastrophic events, working to make the scene safe for other public safety officers.

However, while linemen work in highly visible settings, there are many behind the scenes that also labor tirelessly to help keep the lights on. However, they do so with little or no public recognition or acknowledgement. While linemen can do their job out in the open—whether it is restoring power after a natural disaster, maintaining the lines or building new service—there is a lot more work taking place behind the scenes.

The Operations department ensures that the overall system is well maintained. This team is responsible

for planning ahead for future needs and continually monitoring existing equipment and resources. An equally important area of focus is safety. Working with electricity is an inherently dangerous task, and helping to foster a culture of safety for all workers is a major priority.

The member service representatives answer calls and questions about billing and energy use. They work with members to identify high-use periods and discuss ways to save on the monthly bill. The member services department is responsible for ensuring that you are treated appropriately, and it all starts at the time you sign up for membership.

Of course, many folks in various other departments work closely to serve you, because you, the member, are at the heart of everything we do. As a locally based, member-owned cooperative, we are part of your community, too. Just as we love our linemen, we value all employees—and every co-op member!—because it takes every person in a co-op to make it work.

James A. GoodsonChairman, Board of TrusteesW

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SCLIVING.COOP | APRIL 2016 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 5

NewsThe Latest Technology!

PDEC’s Lex Gandy has already broken the seal and removed the cover of the meter base giving access to the meter itself. Lex is wearing specialized up-to-the-elbow gloves required when working with energized electric wires or connections.

In this photo, Lex is removing the electric meter from the base, preparing to install the new meter. A meter base contains the wires coming from the transformer (usually 240/120 volts), the meter and the wires connected to the breaker box inside the home. The meter measures energy consumed in the house.

The new meter has been installed and begins working immediately. Safety is still uppermost in the service man’s mind. The gloves stay on until the cover is in place.

Lex attaches a PDEC seal. The next Pee Dee Electric employee needing to get into the box will make sure the seal is not broken letting him know it’s OK to begin his work.

The latest technology

PDEC

TOM

KINA

RD

IN 1939, WHEN Pee Dee Electric Cooperative started, the latest technology was used to read the meter of each member. That technology was the member themselves using a “Two Cent Post Card.” The card was printed by Pee Dee Electric with complete instructions of how to read the meter. Members picked up a year’s supply and sent the readings in every month.

Fast forward to the 1960s. The latest technology to read meters came in the form of motor scooters. A meter reader would travel to each home in a certain area, read the meter, copy the numbers on a pad and return the

day’s total to the PDEC office.If told in 1939 about the “latest

technology” in use today, it would have been hard to explain even to engineers. Most rural homes didn’t have private telephone lines. The party line was common. There were no personal computers, no cell phones and no inkling of something called Facebook.

Our latest technology today provides an electric meter that can be read in the PDEC office as well as gives the homeowner a lot of

information so you can manage your PDEC account from your computer, smartphone or tablet. You do this by using SmartHub. You can conveniently make payments, check your energy usage and communicate directly with Pee Dee Electric. Go to our website PeeDeeElectric.com and click the SmartHub button to get started.

Your meter base may not look exactly like the one in the following photos. As meters come up for replacement, we’re installing ones like you’ll see below. The change-out will take several years to complete, but you’ll always have the latest technology working to bring you safe and affordable electricity.

The meter base cover is attached and is now ready for the last part of the exercise.

Co-op News EXTRA

SCLIVING.COOP | APRIL 2016 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 20A

BY JOHN PULLEY

YOU MAY HAVE seen a new marketing initiative by the propane industry that encourages homeowners to dump their electric water heaters in favor of water heaters fueled by propane gas. The multimedia campaign, called “Pull the Plug on Electric Water Heaters,” makes its case with brochures, flyers, print advertisements, videos, radio spots, fact sheets, webinars, an e-book and even endorsements by a celebrity home-improvement expert. But make no mistake—the intent of the campaign is simply to sell a lot more propane.

At Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, we believe electricity is the smart energy choice. It is safe, reliable, clean, predictably priced and adaptable to many uses, from the exotic to the mundane. Electricity powers everything from cars, cell phones and laptop computers to air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washers and lighting. More than ever, America runs on electricity.

Still, you might be tempted to switch water heaters. The campaign developed by the Propane Education and Research Council is slick.

As your trusted energy advisor, PDEC wants to provide you, our member, with the facts you need to make the best decision.

Let’s look at the propane-marketing campaign. Some of the claims challenge common sense and would be hard to prove, including assertions about efficiency, environmental impacts and cost. “With a propane water heater, you can use less energy, save money and reduce your carbon footprint,” proclaims Danny Lipford, host of the television program “Today’s Homeowner,” in a campaign video. “They really are that efficient.”

Really? Apparently Lipford neglected to mention that propane is a fossil fuel.

The campaign also resorts to scare tactics. Installation of propane water heaters is often a laborious process that requires running propane lines and exhaust vents. Turning reality on its head, the

pro-propane campaign would have you believe that replacing an electric water heater “can take days longer, days you’ll spend taking icy-cold showers,” Lipford warns.

Actually, in most cases, installing an electric heater is a snap.

At Pee Dee Electric, we believe electric water heaters are the smart choice for many reasons:

f High-efficiency electric water heaters, including heat pumps, are readily available.

f Electric water heaters are safe. They produce no carbon monoxide, and they pose no threat of combustion or explosion.

f Electric water heaters can run on power generated from a range of energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro and other renewables.

f Electric heaters don’t lose energy from exhaust or the replacement air that circulates into and out of a house. Propane heaters require on-site storage tanks.

f Electric water heaters are easy to install. They require no expensive gas lines or exhaust flues.

f The cost of electricity is less volatile than it is for other fuels. The cost of propane tends to fluctuate wildly.

Touchstone Energy has produced three fact sheets on water-heating choices, water-heater efficiency, and hot-water distribution that are part of the Home Efficiency Analysis Tool—see http://homeefficiency.touchstoneenergy.com/. To access these fact sheets, enter information about your home and go to the “systems” tab for the water heater sheets. JOHN PULLEY writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

APRILA Good Time To:

Set air conditioner to 78 degrees

Ensure window A/C units are

weatherstripped

Make sure fireplace damper is closed

Ensure ceiling fans blow down for

spring and summer

Close shades and drapes during the

day to keep heat out

Replace outdoor lighting with

outdoor-rated LEDs

Think Before Pulling the Plug on Your Electric Water Heater

Energy bill credit from $100 to $250. For complete details call Thomas Freeman at (843) 665-4070.

PDEC Water Heater Rebate

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU24 hours per day 365 days a year

National Lineman Appreciation

April 2016

Let’s honor the heroes that keep the lights on.

TOM KINARD

SCLIVING.COOP | APRIL 2016 | SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING 20C

National Lineman Appreciation

April 2016

Let’s honor the heroes that keep the lights on.

WELCOME TO SPRING! This is the time of year when your heat pump should not be working nearly as hard as in the dead of winter, and your window units aren’t using the energy they probably will in the summer months. This month, I have several energy tips for you to help keep those power bills as low as possible. As always, if you have questions, contact our office. The number is (843) 665-4070 or toll-free (866) 747-0060. You can also email me: tfreeman@PeeDeeElectric.com.

f Look for higher-SEER heat pumps. They are the most energy efficient.

f You can save 20 percent on your cooling costs by replacing your old window air conditioner with a new, Energy Star model.

f Try to keep window air conditioners away from heat and out of the sun. They work best when installed on a north-facing wall.

f Remember how much energy you used in the winter when your thermostat was kept above 68 degrees? Now the reverse is true. Keep heat pump set at 78 degrees. If you go lower, your bill goes higher!

f If you use a window unit, adjust it to a lower setting and use a ceiling fan to keep things cool.

f If you don’t have ceiling fans, consider installing some. They can help keep power bills low in summer and winter.

f Use your kitchen exhaust fan to rid the room of hot air while cooking. You’ll save a lot more on cooling costs than the money used to run the fan.

f Some people use a dehumidifier. They work, but, be advised, they can greatly add to your electric bill. Make sure you have the proper size unit for your home.

f Close blinds, drapes and shades, especially during the hottest part of the day. You’ll keep the sun from heating your home.

f Use your microwave or counter-top appliances for cooking instead of the oven or stove.

f Fire up the grill for hot dogs, hamburgers and many other great meals! It will keep heat from inside your home, plus save on the clean-up, too! Be sure to put safety first.

f It is highly recommended that you get your heat pump system checked and cleaned by a professional each year.

f Change your filters each month.

f If possible, wait to do laundry and dishwashing until after nightfall. This will avoid generating extra heat in your home.

f Dry your laundry outside. A Solar Powered Dryer!

f Don’t forget about your own energy. Wearing lighter clothing can help cool you down without turning on the air conditioner. Also, remember to stay hydrated.

f Turn your pool pump off overnight when the pool is not in use.

If you have special things you do to save energy at your home, shop or farm, please tell me about them, and I’ll share with other members in future columns! By the way, when you send in a tip for us to use, we’ll give you a $25 Gift Card. Send to tfreeman@PeeDeeElectric.com.

Thomas Freeman PDEC ENERGY EXPERT

TOM KINARD

TE STRA

IGH

T TALK

Assume all power lines are ENERGIZED and dangerous.

Never touch a downed power line or a person or object that is touching a power line.

If someone is injured as a result of electric contact,do not try to assist them.

If a power line falls across your vehicle while you’re in it,stay inside until help arrives.

Call 911 immediately to report a downed power line,then call Pee Dee Electric, 866-747-0060.