Fun on a Nickel

5

simple yet meaningful activities for grandchildren

By Cynthia Drake

Iwas a child during the 1950s — a time when my brothers and I were mostly spared the troubles of the adult world. Our parents let us play in the mud, climb trees or read books while lying on an old quilt in the backyard. My Halloween costume was an old sheet with two holes cut out for ghost eyes. A piece of chalk and a sidewalk would be enough to keep me and my neighborhood girlfriends hopscotching all morning. After a bowl of cereal for breakfast, my mother sent us out to play with the instruction to be back for supper.

When my grandchildren began to arrive 17 years ago, those carefree memories of days gone by resurfaced, and I experienced a “second childhood” with my children’s children. I taught young children in elementary school for many years, and that prepared me for the delight of playing and learning with my grandchildren. Now that the grandchildren are older, we love remembering those early days spent cooking together, doing science experiments in the kitchen, producing simple plays in the summer, reading books using flashlights during overnight visits.

That joy inspired me to write “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” filled with activities and ideas for grandparents and their grandchildren to share. Below are five entries from the book for your own “fun on a nickel.” 1. Make a concentration game. Choose a dozen or more favorite 4x6 photos of family events. At the copy shop, reduce photo size by 50%, print two of each, then glue to the “suit” side of regular playing cards. Set out all the cards with photo sides down. Play! 2. Teach the children how to offer a strong firm handshake and clearly state their name (as if they are meeting a new person). “Hi, my name is ______.” Then have them help you bake some chocolate chip cookies. Drive to the neighborhood firehouse, meet the firefighters, shake hands and thank them for their service. Finally, offer a tin of homemade cookies. 3. Help the children paint a Van Gogh-style painting. Find “The Usborne Art Treasury” by Rosie Dickens at the library. Directions are given about using forks and dabs of white paint to recreate Van Gogh’s swirly clouds! 4. A really fun science experiment is creating a crystal. Directions are provided in “Geology Lab for Kids” by Garret Romaine. Bend a pipe cleaner into a cube shape. Tie 2 feet of string to the middle of a pencil and to a corner of the pipe cleaner cube. Pour 3 cups of boiling water into a wide-mouth jar. Stir in 9 tablespoons of Borax. Lower the pipe cleaner down into the jar. In the morning there will be a crystal-covered pipe cleaner floating in the jar! If you add food coloring, you’ll create a beautifully colored crystal. 5. On a sunny day, take the children to your local cemetery. Walk through the lanes and stop to read names, dates and quotes. Talk about how these folks were loved by many people. Talk about the circle of life. Your ease will be appreciated by the children. Then read them the wonderful storybook, “City Dog, Country Frog” by Mo Willems. It is a perfect tale of friendship, loss and hope.

Cynthia Drake, author of “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” lives in Durham and is a member of Piedmont Electric Cooperative.

Visit agrandmotherssourcebook.com to learn more about “A Grandmother’s Sourcebook,” 10 chapters covering resources and activities to get grandchildren engaged in art, story, poetry, science, service, music, cooking, plays and games.

JUNE 2022

Warm Homes, Warm Hearts is an impactful Year-Round Program!

If you’re in a position to help your neighbors during these challenging times, consider making a donation to the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts yearround utility assistance program. BEMC will match all donations, up to $50,000 annually, doubling the impact of your generosity.

The funds are administered by Brunswick Family Assistance and the Columbus County Department of Aging, who distribute them to those in need across our service area.

Donations can be made by mail to Warm Homes, Warm Hearts, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. Please do not enclose the donation with your electric bill payment.

BFA’s Stephanie Bowen with a board full of client thank-you’s

“As the cost of living goes up, it is getting harder and harder for folks to make ends meet, and providing a fallback in times of crisis can make all the difference. We use Warm Homes, Warm Hearts donations to help people with their utility bills so that they can get through a tough time and get back on their feet. On behalf of our clients, we are so grateful for the Warm Homes, Warm Hearts program, and the generosity of BEMC members.”

Stephanie Bowen, Executive Director of Brunswick Family Assistance

Because You Want to Know...

Each month we’ll answer a question that has been on a member’s mind, because we bet you might also want to know. Send your questions to brookes.versaggi@bemc.org.

è QI’ve heard your Community Solar

Garden panels are sold out.

If it’s true, can I get on a waiting list?

è A Yes, the 738 solar panels at our Community Solar

Gardens on Highway 17 in

Bolivia and at the Peacock

Substation in Chadbourn are fully subscribed by members.

The cost is $3.50/ month per panel, and participating members receive a bill credit for the amount of energy their panel(s) generate, which will vary monthly. We also offer a full subscription for $537 upfront, with the same bill credit. We are accepting names for a waiting list, please visit bemc.org/ community-solar to be placed on the list.

numbers Power in

If 1,500 of us reduce our energy usage during a Beat the Peak event we could save more than $100,000 in monthly wholesale power costs.

• MEMBER SPOTLIGHT •

Time-of-Use Rate Option

The Time-of-Use (TOU) rate option offers you a lower rate for electricity when demand on our system is low, balanced with a higher rate when demand on our system is high. You save money by shifting your energy consumption to times when our membership is using less. You’re also helping us reduce peak demand, which reduces our wholesale power costs and benefits us all. Here’s one member household’s experience.

“Around three years ago I saw the Time-of-Use rate option on the website and decided to do some research because I’m always up for new ways to save. I talked with James Green at BEMC about it, and it turns out he had been on it for a while. He told us how he made it work for him and said that if we could be diligent in shifting our usage away from peak times, and adjusted our thermostat by a few degrees during peak, we’d lower our bill. It sounded like it might work for me and my wife, so we signed up. On average, we’ve been saving about 20 percent on our electric bill each year ever since. When I first told my neighbors they could hardly believe it, they thought I was kidding them! But it really is working for us. It’s not for everybody, but if you can consistently do some simple but important things, you might save money.

“Start by knowing when rates are the highest, which,

"It sounded like it in the summer, are weekdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Then, (TOU) might work install a programmable thermostat, and program it to for me and my wife, adjust the temperature by three to four degrees during so we signed up. that timeframe. Next, put a timer on your hot water On average, we’ve heater, and set it not to cycle during peak hours as well. been saving about Finally, put off doing laundry and running the dishwasher 20 percent on our until after 10 p.m., when rates are the very cheapest. We electric bill each also put off cooking until after 6 p.m. If it’s discretionary, don’t do it during peak hours, and if you can, do it year ever since." after 10 p.m. In the winter the highest rates are from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m., so you’ll need to reset your thermostat and water heater timer, and adjust your habits accordingly, but doing laundry and dishes after 10 p.m. is still the same. It just becomes part of your lifestyle, and it’s an option we really enjoy.” Dale Hall

Member Dale Hall of Ocean Isle Beach.

For more information, visit bemc.org/time-of-use, call (800) 842-5871, or stop by any office with questions and to enroll.

Considering Home Solar? We’re Here to Help!

If you’re thinking about pursuing a home solar installation, remember to count on BEMC, your trusted energy partner, to work with you to navigate the process.

One of the first steps when considering home solar could be to give us a call, so we can offer our expertise. We can help you decide what’s best for your unique situation and provide you with our specific installation requirements that make sure the grid stays safe and reliable for all co-op members.

We are a leader among North Carolina electric co-ops in rooftopmounted solar, and we’re here to help you make informed decisions that maximize your solar investment. Here are a few frequently asked questions you may find helpful.

Where do I start?

A good place to begin is at bemc.org/home-solar. You’ll find a description and diagram that explain how home solar works, whether rooftop or ground-mounted. Then, gain a deeper understanding of how you use electricity by logging into the free SmartHub app, and look at your usage by the day, week and month. If you think it’s time to talk to a solar company, please consider calling us first. We’ll give you all the information you need about our rates and interconnection requirements, so you can have an informed discussion with them. Solar installers might be missing important facts and details specific to our co-op, and they’ll need that information to give you an accurate financial overview.

How would I be compensated for my solar generation?

We offer Net Metering. When your home uses more energy than your solar installation produces, it will draw from the grid and run through your electric meter, just like normal. When your solar installation produces more energy than your home needs, the amount of excess energy will be captured as it passes through your meter and is delivered to the BEMC grid. Your monthly bill will reflect a deduction for the energy you drew from the grid and a credit for what you contributed back; you are responsible for the “net” difference. While some co-ops pay a wholesale rate for home-generated solar energy, at BEMC we compensate our members for their contributions at the full retail rate – or the same amount we bill you when you draw power from the grid. It’s important to note that most homes, however, consume the majority, if not all the energy generated by their solar array.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Cindy Caron

Iwas hired in 2006 as a Customer Service Representative in the Call Center, where I learned so much about how the co-op works and the importance of interacting with members.

In 2011, the Data Processing department needed a hand with issuing Capital Credits, and I “caught the bug,” eventually becoming a Member Accounts Specialist. My focus now is on helping members with our Weatherization Loan program, which provides low-interest loans to members for qualifying energy efficiency projects. It’s really

Cindy Caron, Member Accounts Specialist gratifying to spend each day making the loan process as simple as possible for our members. Often they’re experiencing unnecessarily high bills, but aren’t sure how to pay for the improvements that will save them money each month. Sometimes they unexpectedly need a new heat pump or water heater, which can be a shock to a monthly budget. Either way, I handle each unique situation personally, and really enjoy giving them the attention they deserve during what can be a stressful time. I think it’s so important that our members have a specific person they can call directly and talk to – after all, it’s their co-op!

Updating Your Contact Information is Quick, Easy and Important!

Do we have your most recent mobile phone number and email address? If not, please consider emailing info@bemc.org or calling (800) 842-5871 and updating our records. Why is it important? Two reasons: è If the mobile phone you use to report an outage is the one we have associated with your account, it can speed up the restoration process. Our system can automatically locate you. è If we have your email address we can send you periodic emails containing important information and updates.

Thanks for helping us serve you better!

TRUE or FALSE?

Keeping the thermostat temperature constant while you’re away saves more energy than setting it higher or lower when you leave and come back. False: When you leave for the day, set your thermostat a few degrees lower if using heat, and higher if using air conditioning. It requires much less energy to heat your home back up or cool it back down when you get home than it does to keep it at the target temperature all day long. Better yet, invest in a programmable thermostat, so you arrive home to a comfortable temperature and still save energy while you’re away.

CUSTOMER SERVICE (800) 842-5871 | OUTAGE REPORTING (800) 682-5309

Shallotte (910) 754-4391 Southport/Oak Island (910) 457-9808 Whiteville (910) 642-5011 P.O. Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459 www.bemc.org email: newsletter@bemc.org

AUTO BILL PAYMENT 24/7 (866) 934-6830

BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Gore Larry Fowler

PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER

Frederick Tedder Calvin Duncan Deborah Ahlers

Moses Herring Glenn Humbert Perry Sellers Dan Strickland John Ward

This institution is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Joshua L. Winslow

CEO/GENERAL MANAGER Dennis Worley

ATTORNEY

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What You Need to Know Before Going Solar

Work with your co-op to make the right choice

By Miranda Boutelle

When I tell people I work in energy efficiency, one of the first responses I hear is, “Oh, I’m thinking about getting solar installed on my house.” I hear it around campfires, meeting other parents at the park and on the ride to the airport.

Most people don’t realize solar is not energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is finding ways to use less energy. Solar is generating energy. I can see the association because both are thought of as beneficial to the environment and a way to save money.

My follow-up question is, “What are your motivations for installing solar?”

In my experience, people are motivated by saving money, concern for the environment or both. Focusing first on energy efficiency addresses both motivations.

Here are some considerations if you are interested in installing solar.

Energy consumption Solar systems are sized based on a home’s energy needs. The larger the system, the higher the cost. Before installing solar, make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. That means it will use less energy and allow you to install a smaller solar system — which will save money and reduce your home’s environmental impact.

Verify the efficiency of your lighting, HVAC systems and insulation. A fully insulated and air-sealed home uses less energy, and those measures are less expensive than solar panels. Finish these energy efficiency projects before installing solar.

Affordability Consider your overall out-of-pocket expenses. The expected lifespan of a heating and cooling system is 15 to 25 years. Check the age and condition of your HVAC equipment and consider the expenses of replacement. If something happens, will you be able to afford to fix or replace it?

Roofing Consider the age, orientation and shade of your roof. It is more difficult — and expensive — to reroof a home with solar panels. Will the roof need to be replaced before the solar panels need to be replaced?

The best orientation for solar panels is south facing to receive direct light throughout the day. A shaded roof helps keep your home cool in the summertime but reduces solar energy production.

Maintenance and reliability A solar system doesn’t last forever. Lifespans range from 25 to 30 years. As systems degrade over time, they produce less energy. Maintenance and repairs may be needed.

Solar panels only produce power when the sun is shining. If you want solar to power your home at other times, like after dark, you’ll need to invest in battery storage system, which comes at an additional cost.

Contact your electric co-op As with any other system for your home, I recommend getting bids from three contractors to compare equipment and pricing. Solar contractors often work in several utility service territories and may not be familiar with your co-op’s offerings, rate structures and interconnection agreements. So before signing an agreement, check with your electric co-op for local information rather than relying on what the contractor says.

Another option may be community-owned solar. Many electric co-ops offer community solar programs. You may have an option to enjoy the benefits of solar without the responsibilities of ownership and maintenance.

Understanding these considerations before installing solar will ensure you meet your money-saving and environmental goals.

This column was written by Miranda Boutelle of the Efficiency Services Group. Visit carolinacountry.com/your-energy for more ideas on energy efficiency.

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