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Discover The Tips And Techniques That Work For You

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MAKE IT A HABIT Most of these tips are low-cost or no-cost ways to save money every month. They’re not hard to do, and can quickly become second nature. You’ll feel good about using less energy, and great about potentially lowering your power bill. Go ahead, put one foot down the path and see how far you can go!

​ Use your drapes and blinds to keep heat out in the summer and inside in the winter — e

​ xtra benefits include keeping your

furniture and rugs from fading, and making c​ old days a little brighter. ​ Wash your clothes in cold water, and air-dry when it

makes sense. They’ll still ​get clean and may even last longer. ​ Air- dry your dishes by turning off the “heat drying” cycle on your dishwasher. Try it once, and you’ll be h

​ ooked, especially

if you run a load of dishes overnight, you won’t notice a ​

difference at all. ​ Use power strips to easily turn off your small appliances

and devices when not ​in use — they still use power even when turned off, and a small investment in a ​power strip and a little

coordinating of plugs can make a big difference. ​ Replace bulbs with CFLs and LEDs — starting with the

five you use the most.

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BEMC gives you more ways to lower your power bill with SmartHub. At home or on the go, monitor your energy usage and find ways to save energy and money. Download it today.

hter.

​ Keep the chimney flue closed when your fireplace is not in use — out of sight ​shouldn’t be out of mind in this case – the conditioned

air in your house will ​literally go right up the chimney. ​ Clean your dryer lint filter every time you use it — your dryer

is one of your home’s ​biggest energy users, and a clean filter

helps dry clothes much more efficiently.

y ​

​ ​ Change your furnace filter once a month — just like other

things we depend on in the winter, your furnace needs

attention to function at its best. So change that ​filter

to not only make sure it runs like it should, but

lasts as long as it should, too.

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ENERGYS SAVING

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PROJECTS

Install ceiling fans in the rooms you use most often – they won’ of the room, but will keep you feeling cooler in the summer and w ​ arme use less AC and heat – just make sure to ​switch the direction of the fan

​ lean your refrigerator coils – do it every six months, maybe aroun C of July – think about how many times you open it every day; one scrub

​ pgrade your appliances – refrigerators and clothes dryers are b U newer models are so much more efficient – look for the Energy Star much you might save.

I​ nsulate your pipes and cover your water heater – probably on potentially save money on your power bill – a cover on your water h ​ eater can re ​ eal air leaks around your doors and windows – do a walk around S is trying to come in, then get caulking and weather-stripping – tips ​are

​ se your programmable thermostat – if you have one, there’s a g U using it to its potential – find the owner’s manual and program it so you when you’re asleep or at work – it won’t take long and the savings can

​ roperly insulate your attic – this one may take some help – contac P visit a retailer to ask questions, but don’t put it off – you don’t w ​ ant to s to heating or cooling someplace you don’t u ​ se much.

​ a ​ eset your appliance temperatures – this one is easy, but can m R so set it, and forget it.

• Set water heater to 120 _130 degrees

• Set refrigerator to 35_ 38 degrees TEMPERATURE

• Set freezer to at/below 0 _ 5 ​degrees

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Wasteful Habits

en – they won’t change the ​​temperature mer and w ​ armer in the winter, so you can tion of the fan in the winter.

, maybe around New Year’s a ​ nd Fourth day; one scrub every 6 months is easy.

es dryers are big energy users, ​and e Energy Star symbol to see ​how

Install Ceiling Fans

Clean Refrigerator Coils

Upgrade Appliances ER R COV H EATE

– probably one of the easiest ways to ter h ​ eater can reduce heat loss by up to 25%.

WA T E R

a walk around and feel where t​he outdoors ping – tips ​are available at bemc.org.

Seal Air Leaks

one, there’s a good chance y​ ou’re not ogram it so you’ll use less h ​ eat or AC he savings can a ​ dd up.

e help – contact a local p ​ rofessional or don’t w ​ ant to spend more than you need

sy, but can m ​ ake a big difference –

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PR OG RA M TH ER MO ST AT

Insulate Attic

Set Temperatures

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOANS

BEMC WEATHERIZATION LOANS – Available for qualified homeowners, businesses and churches – spread the word!

Think you can’t afford to make energy improvements? Think again!

BEMC offers low-interest loans for weatherization

projects that can save energy. Pay off the loan over time with small payments added to your monthly bill. Sometimes the energy savings will cover the loan payments, leaving you with a long-term improvement 6 Brunswick-0216 energy outsert.indd 6

to your property. www.BEMC.org

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BEMC makes the STARET process easy: HER

1.

Decide what project would make a difference in your energy use. Start by visiting togetherwesave.com to learn about the potential energy savings for a variety of projects. Projects eligible for a low-interest loan from BEMC include: • New Heat Pump - Minimum 15 SEER Rating • New Water Heater - Solar or Electric •R ​​ eplacement Windows •​​Insulation - Ceiling, Wall, Floor, Ducts • Duct Repairs or Replacement

2. Get some estimates for how much it will

take to complete the project.

3. Fill out an application by contacting BEMC.

You’ll generally get an answer within 24 hours.

4. Schedule the work to be done. Once it

is completed, come in to sign the promissory note, and we will pay the contractor.

BEMC makes loans for $200 to $6,000 for residential projects. Under our Commercial Loan Program, which includes loans for businesses and churches, members can borrow up to $10,000.

Why wait to get started?

(800) 842-5871 or visit bemc.org to download a brochure today.

Call us at

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

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No-Cost Ways To Save Money (details inside!)

• Use your drapes and blinds to keep heat out in the summer and in during the winter • Wash your clothes in cold water, and air-dry them • Air dry dishes – turn off the “heat drying” cycle • Keep the chimney flue closed when fireplace is not in use • Clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer • Clean your refrigerator coils • Reset your appliance temperatures USAGE

ELECTRI CITY

More information at TogetherWeSave.com

(800) 842-5871 Supply

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SAVINGS

www.BEMC.org

Southport/Oak Island

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Whiteville

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