March 2017 | Page 21

MARCH 2017

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

Don Hughes,CEO/General Manager

Your cooperative has seen many changes in the past

77 years, but few things compare to the growth we’ve

experienced. Brunswick Electric’s membership has grown

53% since 2000, and we’ve increased our miles of line by 33%

during the same period. Our service area includes Brunswick

and Columbus counties, and parts of Robeson and Bladen

counties. Brunswick County is consistently ranked in the

top 50 fastest growing counties in the country. Providing

electricity to one of the nation’s fastest growing areas is a big

responsibility that we’re proud to undertake.

BEMC works constantly to keep our reliability percentage

close to 100% while maintaining a superior safety rating and

keeping our rates as low as possible. We haven’t had a rate

increase since 2008. And all the while we are improving and

adding to our infrastructure to keep pace with increasing

demand. Our strategies for growth include the development

of a long term plan based on projected needs, and then

working short term plans to implement the needed growth

and maintenance. And of course, we’re always making

adjustments based on how close reality matches our

forecasting.

To us, growth is also much more than an increase in

demand. It means that our membership will have increasing

needs in other areas as well. And because our primary

obligation is to serve our entire membership to the best of our

ability, we answer those needs. Some of you are interested

in renewable sources of energy, so we created a community

solar option. Others are interested in new ways to be energy

efficient, so we offer a smart thermostat pilot program and

have installed electric vehicle charging stations in our service

area. No matter what your energy needs are, BEMC wants to

be your trusted source for what’s consistent as well as what’s

new in energy.

So whether you are a new member, or membership has

been in your family for generations, our goal is to serve you

with reliable power, careful planning and fiscal management,

and programs and services that meet your needs. Thank you

for being a member of Brunswick Electric.

Our service area has seen tremendous growth since 2000

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Top 10 Energy Saving Tips as things warm up

Here are just a few simple things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home as warmer temperatures arrive:

1. Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent.

2. Open windows. This creates a cross breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without switching on the A/C. This is an ideal tactic in spring when temperatures are mild.

3. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort.

4. Cook outside. On warmer spring days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of indoor ovens.

5. Install window treatments. Energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades and films can slash heat gain when temperatures rise.

6. Caulk air leaks. Using caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home keeps warm air out – and cash in your wallet.

7. Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights and use windows and skylights to brighten your home.

8. Set the thermostat. Setting a programmable thermostat to a higher setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.

9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption.

10. Switch on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans remove heat and humidity from your home, improving comfort.

Applications are due March 17, and two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded in May. See your school guidance counselor or visit bemc.org for more information. BEMC has awarded $80,000 in scholarships since 2008.

Applications are due March 31, and one girl and one boy will be awarded full scholarships to overnight basketball camps at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. Visit ncemcs.com/community/sportscamps.htm for more information.

Energy Fact or Myth?

Windows need to be replaced to improve their efficiency.

MYTH. There are simple ways to save energy including insulating existing windows from the inside with window insulation kits. These kits create an airtight seal that eliminates condensation, cold drafts, and heat loss, and they are also very cost-effective. In addition, putting up blinds and heavier curtains can help as well.

A spring photo of Bobby Long’s on Highway 17 in Brunswick County

March 2017 | Page 23

Watch your energy savings grow!Winter is coming to a close, and spring is just around the corner. As you welcome the new growth of spring outside, it’s a

great time to enroll in services to grow energy savings, too. Get more information about these tools and services from BEMC at bemc.org, and watch your energy savings grow!PrePaid Power: Want more control over your electricity payments? Sign up for our PrePaid program. PrePaid Power allows

you to pay for your electricity in advance. You buy the power you need, when you need it. When your balance gets low, we’ll let you know. And, we’ve found that members using PrePaid Power tend to save money as they become more aware of their household energy consumption.

Smart thermostat program: Join your neighbors, and potentially save on heating and cooling costs with an Ecobee 3 thermostat. Members participating in our thermostat program can enjoy the convenience of adjusting their home temperatures remotely from their phone or tablet – and join a collective effort to reduce energy demand on our system during times of peak usage.

SmartHub app: Besides making payment and account information more convenient, our app lets you track your electricity usage by hour, day and month. Learning when you consume the most electricity is a great first step toward becoming more efficient. You can even get high usage information by email.

Weatherization Loans: We offer low-interest loans to qualified members for weatherization projects that should lower your energy usage. Pay off the loan over time with small payments added to your monthly bill. Often the energy savings will cover the loan payments, leaving you with a long term improvement to your property.

Energy efficiency: The least expensive energy is the energy that you don’t use. Take action! Find lots of energy and money-saving tips at BEMC.org or TogetherWeSave.com.

The BEMC Southport/Oak Island Office – dedicated to our membership

This is the second in a series of three features on our office locationsThis part of our service area has seen a lot of changes in the past few decades, and anyone visiting the Southport/Oak

Island office can see they have done a great job of keeping up.

“Even when growth in other areas of the county slowed down a few years ago, we slowed down some, but not much,” said Tim Tippett, District Supervisor of Operations. “We’ve always been a close knit, dedicated group of employees, which helps us when working to stay ahead of the growth. It’s important to us, because like all BEMC employees, we are all totally dedicated to our membership. We’re aware each day that they are the reason we come to work, and that they deserve our very best.”

Engineering leads the way in planning for the growth, and new employees have been added to the team in order to make the plans happen, and keep the level of service high throughout the service area.

“Our management team always makes sure we have the resources we need,” said Tippett. “That allows us to keep up the personal, one-on-one service that our members deserve and expect. Whatever a member needs, within reason and within our power, we work to make happen. It’s what we do.”

The management and board of directors at BEMC are proud of every employee at the Southport/Oak Island office for their hard work and dedication to our membership.

Fun FactsThe first office location in the area was a one room warehouse located on Oak Island near the substation located at 5th and Yacht Drive. Our CEO/General Manager Don Hughes reported there when he first came to work for BEMC in 1969.The office then moved to 112 Country Club Drive, where Art Skipper Realty is now, and was known as the Long Beach office.In 1988 the office moved to its current location, and is known as the Southport/Oak Island office and underwent a major renovation in 2015.

Employees at the Southport/Oak Island office

HOW TO SUBMIT AN AD: Ads must be received via email or fax no later than the first of each month. Ads will then appear in the following month’s publication due to the printing schedule. Example: If ad is received by May 1, it will appear in the June issue of Carolina Country magazine. This is a free service for BEMC members to advertise non-commercial items for sale. Ads run ONE TIME, are limited to three lines, and only one phone number. We reserve the right to edit or refuse ads due to content, length or AVAILABLE SPACE. Please no email addresses, names or repeat ads. All numbers are 910 area code unless otherwise listed. Some mobile providers require 10-digit dialing. BEMC does not endorse items advertised and is not responsible for reliability of items.E-MAIL: watts4sale@bemc.org MAIL: BEMC, Attn: Watts For Sale, PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459. FAX: (910) 755-4299

Page 24 | March 2017

Land, 1.8 acre lot in gated community, Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, $19,900; 287-5940Softball equipment, 2 gloves, 1 Easton Reflex aluminum bat, 3 balls, carrying bag, all good condition, $50; 454-8610Putter, Odyssey White Hot RX #2, 34”, center shafted, $50; 575-1081Carlton rocker recliners (2), $200 ea., pic of pelicans, $200; seashell pics (2), $60 pair; dunes pic, $60; palm tree floor lamp, $100; 754-5030Sofa, camel/tan leather, recliner levers on both ends, exc. condition, $250; 228-2358Golf shoes, men’s Footjoy DryJoys new in box, 10M, brown/white oxford, $30; 523-2600Kayak, Sea Eagle 380 x 2 man, inflatable, all accessories, never opened in box, $900; 331-1814Golf bag, OGIO, new $125, asking $60; 919-795-4251Fostoria punch bowl, 14” w/12 cups, $85; other pieces available; 754-6328Golf cart, 1993 Yamaha Club Car, charger, needs batteries, Oak Island, $500; 843-687-6211Motorhome, 2005 Winnebago Itasca, 59K miles, all systems in good working order, new carpet & vinyl by Camping World, good tires, $25K; 843-421-7397Jon boat, 2012 14’ Lowe, 20hp Merc, trailer, trolling motor, $2,800; 399-6167Lot, 1.1 acre in gated community in Uwharrie Point, for custom home, overlooks Badin Lake & Old North State Golf Club; 336 461-4089Bookcase, Ash, custom-built in 1980, dove-tailed shelves, 85”x42”x11”, $85 OBO; 575-2043Hummel porcelain, 123 figurines, 16 plates, 2 bells, will sell individually or as a collection; 579-0479

Burial plots, (2) located in Columbus Cemetery Park, 240 & 241, $1,250 for both; mobile home lot, 60’x150’, septic permit, near Holden Beach; 904-644-8891Piano, Baldwin Spinet, early 1970’s, $650; 520-4499Car, 2008 Honda CRV EX-L, leather, all-wheel drive, 184,850 miles, original owner, runs great $7,675 OBO; 520-8144Americana Porcelain Collectable houses w/lights; 253-5481Timeshare, Waterwood Townhouses, New Bern, NC, Week #13, 2 BR w/loft sleeps 8, selling $1, maintenance fee $635 per year; 386-427-6637 Camper, 2006 Keystone Hornet, 30’, 2 pullouts, good condition, $9K OBO; 338-7204Burial plot, Brunswick Memorial Gardens, $700; 524-3339Modem/router, Actiontec 300 mbps Wireless-n DSL modem router, almost new, $45; 399-5861Tools and assorted watches; 642-2328

Daylight Savings Time beginsMarch 12 at 2 am

Remember to Spring Forward!

Follow your co-op on

Saltwater fishing reels, 309 to 80W, trolling lures and plugs; 512-3377Mobile home, 14’x80’, 3BR 3BA, on 155’x50’ lot, central A/C, interior painted, furnished, owner financing, $54K; 523-0405Miscellaneous, rocker/recliner, swivel chairs, wall mount for TV, front mask for Mazda Miata, make offer; 579-6105Blower, Powr-Flite, 3-speed air mover (2), for carpet cleaners/drying, $50 each or $90 for both; 575-5481Boxes, for moving or storage, $60; 579-2100