Four SIP homes under construction in the Lumbee River EMC

Lumbee River
Electric Membership Corporation
FEBRUARY 2011 MEMBER NEWSLETTER
Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
Four SIP homes under construction in
the Lumbee River EMC service territory
T
he North Carolina Indian Housing
Authority (NCIHA) is building
four self-help homes in Hoke County
with Eco-Panel Structurally Insulated
Panels (SIPs).
SIPs are high-performance building
panels used in floors, walls and roofs
for residential and light commercial
buildings. The panels are typically made
by sandwiching a core of polyurethane
insulation between two structural skins
of oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are
manufactured under factory-controlled
conditions and can be custom designed.
SIPs buildings are extremely strong and
energy efficient.
“SIPs are one of the most energy efficient
and environmentally friendly building
systems available. A SIP building envelope
provides high levels of insulation and is
extremely airtight, meaning the amount of
energy used to heat and cool a home can be
cut by up to 50 percent,” said Misha Melvin,
energy services representative.
The use of Eco-Panels SIPs results in
an increase of 5.5% of the total building
cost. Through energy savings and other
cost saving opportunities provided by the
utilization of Eco-Panels, these costs will be
recovered within a 5- to 6-year timeframe.
NCIHA anticipates other long-term cost
savings not immediately attributable to a
bottom line like durability and maintenance,
as well as the potential for reduced
homeowners insurance.
NCIHA chose a house plan they had
previously stick-built on Lumbee River
EMC lines last year. This provides the
perfect opportunity for Lumbee River
EMC to conduct a direct comparison of
the energy consumption of these homes
constructed with stick-built grading
versus homes with the same floor plans
built utilizing Eco-Panels Polyurethane
Structural Insulated Panels.
Lumbee River EMC will follow and
keep you informed on the construction and
energy savings of these homes.
What’s Inside
2011 Energy Efficiency
Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Water Heater Kits Available
From Lumbee River EMC . . . . . . 22
Lumbee River EMC Website
Offers You Control. . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sports and College
Scholarships Available. . . . . . . . . 23
Work Safety Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SIPs buildings are extremely strong and energy efficient.
Lumbee River EMC Carolina Country FEBRUARY 2011 21
2011 Energy
Efficiency Programs:
Heating & Cooling/Water
Heater Incentives
W
Carolina
Home And
Garden Show
O
ur thoughts begin to turn toward
spring as we move toward the
end of February. What better way to
get ready for the upcoming growing
and renovation season than to attend
the 12th Annual Carolina Home and
Garden Show! If you are in the market
for a new home or service, and don’t
know where to begin, you’ll find the
help you need
at the 2011 Carolina Home and
Garden Show.
The Home Builders Association
of Fayetteville sponsors this event
annually. This year’s show from
February 25–27 at the Cumberland
County Expo Center includes many
new attractions. The 2011 show also
includes hundreds of exhibits showing
all of the newest in home and garden
applications to brighten up your
garden and make your home more
energy efficient. In addition, you can
attend one of the many seminars.
Tickets are $6 at the gate. Visit
www.CarolinaHomeandGardenShow.com
for additional information. And
remember to drop by the Lumbee
River EMC booth while you are at
the show!
ith a new year comes new programs from
Lumbee River EMC designed to assist our
members in making their homes as energy efficient
as possible. In 2011, LREMC is offering a choice
between either a rebate or loan incentive program
for heating and cooling units as well as water heater
units. For either program, an applicant must choose
either a rebate or a low-interest loan.
For more information on these programs or for
any questions, please visit our website at www.lumbeeriver.com or call a
Member Services Representative at (910) 843-4131.
Heating & Cooling Incentives
Rebate
Interest Rate
High Efficiency Central AC (15 SEER)
$25
5.90 %
High Efficiency Central AC (16 SEER)
$50
5.85 %
High Efficiency Heat Pump (15 SEER)
$60
5.80 %
High Efficiency Heat Pump (16 SEER or greater)
$195
5.55 %
Geothermal Heat Pump (19 EER or greater)
$350
*Rebates/low interest rates are based on system efficiency.
5.56 %
Water Heater Incentives
Rebate
Interest Rate
Water Heater (EF > 0.095 or greater)
$45
0.00 %
Marathon Water Heater
$75
2.50 %
Heat Pump Water Heater
$425
4.00 %
Solar Water Heater
$850
1.50 %
Wrap Up Your Water Heater And Save Money
You put on a sweater to hold in your body
heat and keep cold air out. Did you know
that you can save energy and money by
doing the same for your electric water
heater? Electric water heating accounts
for nearly 15% of your monthly electric
bill, but you can reduce the cost with a
weatherization kit.
The kits, which are valued at more
than $50 each, include a large water heater
blanket, pipe insulation, a water efficient
showerhead, two bathroom sink aerators
and a kitchen sink aerator, all for $14 plus
tax for LREMC members.
22 FEBRUARY 2011 Carolina Country Lumbee River EMC
Installing an insulation blanket on your
water heater is one of the most effective
do-it-yourself energy saving projects you
can perform. The blanket will reduce
standby heat loss (heat lost through the
walls of the tank) by 25–40%. Insulating
your hot water pipes will reduce losses as
the hot water is flowing to the faucet and
will reduce standby losses when the tap is
turned off and then back on within an hour
or so. A lot of energy and water are wasted
waiting for hot water to reach the tap.
The kits are available at any of our
Lumbee River EMC offices.
Apply NOW
For The
Touchstone
Energy Sports
Camp Scholarships
Self-Service Options Available on
Lumbee River EMC’s Website
D
id you know that you can take care of certain services without leaving the comfort
of your own home? Lumbee River now offers some of our services through the
cooperative’s website.
“Our members want more and more services available through our website,” says
Edith Hall, Manager of Member Services. With an upgrade to our customer information
system we are now offering our members the ability to add, make changes, or delete
their bank draft information from our website. You can also make payments using a
checking account or credit card, or review your billing history.
These services can be found upon visiting our website at www.lumbeeriver.com. At
the menu to the left of the screen, members can choose either the billing option, which
gives the account modification options or the “pay your bill online” option that will allow
members to make an electronic payment.
“In addition to these services, we anticipate adding many more services in the near
future,” says Hall. Be sure to watch your newsletter or check out our website at
www.lumbeeriver.com for the new services as they become available.
The 2011 Stoneybrook
Steeplechase
M
ark your calendars for the 60th running of the steeplechase at the Carolina
Horse Park.
This year’s festivities include many new and exciting entertainment events for
the entire family. The event will be held on April 2, 2011, and promises to be even
bigger and better than last year. So bring the family out for a full day of fun and
festivities as we welcome spring back to the Sandhills!
For additional information, call (910) 875-2074 or visit the Carolina Horse Park
website at www.carolinahorsepark.com.
Lumbee River EMC is providing allexpenses-paid scholarships for one
deserving young woman to attend the
Kellie Harper Basketball Camp in Raleigh
on July 3–6 and one young man to attend
the Roy Williams Basketball Camp in
Chapel Hill on June 18–22. Both camps
will work closely with each camper to
develop fundamental skills that will help
the young athletes excel both on and off
the court.
Rising sixth through eighth graders
are eligible to apply. Lumbee River EMC
began accepting applications on Jan. 3,
2011. The deadline to apply is March 31,
2011. Applicants will be judged on their
academics, extra-curricular activities
and accompanying essay. Students can
download an application at
www.lumbeeriver.com.
Attention High School
Juniors And Seniors
Don’t forget that applications are now
available for scholarships and for the
Washington Youth Tour. Lumbee River
EMC has four, 4-year scholarships and
two, 2-year scholarships available for
students graduating in the spring 2011.
Your cooperative also has two scholarships
available for juniors that are
interested in attending
the Washington Youth Tour
(June 11–17, 2011).
Check out our website at
www.lumbeeriver.com,
come by one of our offices
or check with your
guidance counselor
to pick up your
application.
The application
deadline
for both
scholarships and
the Youth Tour
is March 4!
Lumbee River EMC Carolina Country FEBRUARY 2011 23
Lumbee River EMC awarded a total $21,535 in Bright Ideas grants to teachers in Cumberland, Hoke, Scotland and Robeson
counties. The winning teachers (pictured) were honored at a luncheon held on December 8 in Lumberton.
Stay Safe At Work
Most people are fortunate to enjoy safe working conditions,
but potential hazards that could cause harm to you or your
coworkers do exist in all work places. By following a few simple
safety tips, you’ll be certain to return home safely after every
day or shift.
• Do not use or bring coffee makers,
radios, lamps, etc. that are poorly
maintained, unsafe or low in quality.
If your office has a facilities manager
or safety specialist, have that person
inspect these types of items, even if
they’re new, before use.
• Never overload wall sockets and
extension cords in your office or
cubicle.
• To remove a plug from an outlet,
firmly grip the plug and pull it
from the outlet. Never pull a plug
by the cord.
• Replace all cords in your office that
are frayed or worn.
• Be careful with connections behind
furniture: Files and bookcases may
push against plugs in electrical outlets,
severely bending the cord at the plug
and causing damage.
• Extension cords should only be used
on a temporary basis and should be
unplugged at night. Never run extension cords across walkways or aisles.
• Disconnect electrical machines before
cleaning or adjusting.
• Familiarize yourself with any emergency evacuation routes.
• It’s easy to overlook safety hazards at
work, but remember, you spend about
one-third of your time there. By taking just a few moments each day to
consider and follow these tips, you
can be sure your office space is free
of danger.
24 FEBRUARY 2011 Carolina Country Lumbee River EMC
LUMBEE RIVER EMC
P.O. Box 830, Red Springs, NC 28377
910-843-4131 | 1-800-683-5571
www.lumbeeriver.com
Business Hours: Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
President & CEO: Randall Jones
Editor: Walter White
Board of Directors
Broughton Oxendine, Chairman
Wyatt Upchurch, Vice Chairman
Ruth Oxendine, Secretary
Herbert Clark, Treasurer
Lacy L. Cummings
James Hardin
William Hollingsworth
Maggie Hunt
Ambrose Locklear
Madie Rae Locklear
Proctor Locklear
Roger Oxendine
Robert Strickland
843-3407
875-2252
843-4356
276-7074
521-4950
424-4603
875-2271
875-9407
738-5556
843-5502
875-2316
628-6238
739-7209