Your family could save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and air conditioning costs simply by turning your thermostat back by 7 to 10 degrees in winter (and forward during summer).
For example, if you turn the heat down a bit before bedtime, you could realize those savings. Turn it up when you wake and back down again just as everyone leaves the house for school and work in the morning.
Or invest in a programmable thermostat, which will automatically turn the heat up and down at the times you set. You won't have to worry about changing the temperature several times a day, and the savings will start adding up.
The U.S. Department of Energy says lowering the heat in the winter for eight hours a day will do the trick.
*Rebates require the installation of a CGEMC load management switch. For specific qualifications and rebate forms visit www.cgemc.com or call 770-775-7857 to request rebate paperwork. Rebates are subject to change without notice and will end on December 21, 2020.
Washington youth tour - Time is running out to apply!
Application deadline: February 21, 2020
Interviews: March 5, 2020
Tour dates: June 18 - 25, 2020
Hurry and get your application in for the 2020 Washington Youth Tour! We will be selecting two exceptional high school students from the Central Georgia EMC territory to have the experience of a lifetime—all expenses paid!
The Washington Youth Tour is a fast-paced week of adventure, including tours of all the major sites, meetings with state and national leaders, and activities to build leadership skills.
The Washington Youth Tour is open to:
- High school sophomores or juniors, who will be at least sixteen (16) years old by June 18, 2020.
- The student must live and attend school in one of our 14 serviced counties (Bibb, Butts, Clayton, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Morgan, Monroe, Newton, Pike, Putnam, and Spalding counties).
Cooperation among cooperatives
One of our guiding principles is "Cooperation Among Cooperatives." When the call for help goes out, we respond. The storms from January 11 hit hard for Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Cooperative, with over 14,000 meters without service.
CGEMC crews stepped up to lend a hand to restore power. We are proud of our employees' cooperative spirit!
Photo credit: Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation.
While we are fortunate that snow does not typically affect our area, cold temps, biting winds, and ice make frequent appearances. As such, it’s no surprise that winter months bring increased potential for fire risks and electrical safety hazards. During the coldest months, consumers are using additional electrical devices and appliances, like space heaters, electric blankets, and portable generators.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that 47,700 home fires occur each year in the U.S. due to electrical failure or malfunction. These fires result in an annual average of 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage. This winter, safeguard your loved ones and your home with these electrical safety tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
1. Don’t overload outlets. Overloaded outlets are a major cause of residential fires. Avoid using extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliance connections. Appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. If you’re relying heavily on extension cords, you may need additional outlets. Contact a qualified electrician to install new outlets.
2. Never leave space heaters unattended. If you’re using a space heater, turn it off before leaving the room. Make sure heaters are placed at least three feet from flammable items. It should also be noted that space heaters take a toll on your energy bills. If you’re using them throughout your home, it may be time to upgrade your home heating system.
3. Inspect heating pads and electric blankets. These items cause nearly 500 fires every year. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old create additional fire risks. Inspect your electric blankets and heating pads; look for dark, charred, or frayed spots, and make sure the electrical cord is not damaged. Do not place any items on top of a heating pad or electric blanket. Never fold them when in use
4. Use portable generators safely. Unfortunately, winter storms can cause prolonged power outages, which means many consumers will use portable generators to power their homes. Never connect a standby generator to your home’s electrical system. For portable generators, plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Start the generator before you plug in appliances. Run it in a well-ventilated area outside your home. The carbon monoxide it generates is deadly, so keep it away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents.
CGEMC Employees give back
Member Engagement Coordinator Christy Chewning reads for Ferst Readers.
United Way in Butts County has a focus on Childhood Literacy. Reading to our children is essential for their literacy development, beginning at or before birth, and continuing to read with them when they become readers themselves. One of the organizations that United Way supports in Childhood Literacy is Ferst Readers. Ferst Readers sends a book every month to children, from birth until their fifth birthday.
Stark Elementary, in conjunction with Ferst Readers, started a YouTube channel to read bedtime stories to their students this year. Students across Butts County School system may now enjoy books being read to them three times a week by volunteers.
At Stark, we know that reading makes everyone STARK STRONG. The FERST Readers want to be the FIRST Bedtime Story readers of the year. Tonight, Christy Chewning will read Harry the Dirty Dog.
Quarterly Satisfaction Survey
Select customer-owners will be receiving an email invitation from Data Decisions Group to participate in our quarterly satisfaction survey.
Those without an email may be contacted by phone. Survey calls will originate from a call center within the 919 area code and display Data Decisions Group as their Caller ID name. Your feedback is critical in helping us deliver the very best customer service. We thank you for your participation.
Operation Round Up
In January, a total of $8,000 was awarded by the Central Georgia EMC Foundation to non-profit organizations in our service territory.
- God's Kingdom Builders Food Pantry, Inc. - $5,000 - To help repair and remodel the homeless shelter in Butts County.
- Initiative to Prevent Sexual Abuse, Inc. - $3,000 - To purchase 300 Stewards of Children Workbooks.
January Check Presentations
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations in our service territory are invited to submit an application to the Central Georgia EMC Foundation.
Through Operation Round Up, our members support local organizations with a mission to make our communities even better places to live, work, and dream big. By simply rounding up your monthly electric bill to the next dollar, you can join in! Our pennies add up to make BIG CHANGE!
Co-op Connections Card
Keep your finances healthy with your Co-op Connections discount card!
F5 Financial Planning, LLC - Complimentary consultation. 70 Macon Street, McDonough. 678-929-8394.
Affordable Tax & Representation, Inc. - 10% off tax preparation. 335 Rover Zetella Road, Griffin. 404-227-6400.
Brittany L. Montrois, CPA - $25 off the first year and 10% off future year tax preparations. $25 off bookkeeping and payroll services for the first month; 5% discount thereafter. 2116 Jodeco Road West, McDonough. 770-474-6116.
Chapman Accounting & Tax Services, LLC - 10% off first-time tax preparation. 20% off bookkeeping services for the first year of service. 678-485-9932.
Childress Group, LLC - $25 off in-person or virtual service. Services must be scheduled in advance. 770-774-3403.
Are you a local business who would like to be included in Co-op Connections? Click the link below. It is simple and free!
Energy tip
Are you using your fireplace efficiently? Remember to turn down the thermostat when burning a fire, and close the damper when a fire is not burning.
Looking for more ways to save? Visit energy.gov.
Credits:
Created with images by Vinicius de Moraes - "This is my kitty, Fifi. She loves stay on the top of a tall box we have at home. So we decided to add a pillow and a blanket for her. That day the weather was kinda chill and she ran under the soft blank to warm herself. I thought it would be a cute picture." • Kelly Sikkema - "untitled image" • niekverlaan - "lamp idea pear"