ENERGY MAKEOVER

FEBRUARY 2016 | BILL INSERT

• Nominate a member for a home energy efficiency makeover

• Scholarship deadline approaching

• Use space heaters and electric blankets safely this winter

• HVAC Tuneup rebate is back!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Cobb EMC receives award

The Cobb Chamber recently named Cobb EMC as a 2015 Sam Olens Business Community Service Award winner. Cobb EMC was nominated by the Devereux Georgia Treatment Center for its contributions to the nonprofit. Since its inception in 2013, the foundation has given more than $1.5 million to nonprofits in our community.

Pictured above: Chip Nelson, Cobb EMC president and CEO, accepted the Sam Olens award.

Sponsors

Know someone in need of an Energy efficiency makeover? Cobb EMC is partnering with the Cobb Heating and Air Conditioning Association and Gas South to give one deserving member a home energy efficiency makeover!

Nominate a family in need for the chance to win*. To be eligible, homeowners must live in a primary residence served by Cobb EMC. Entries must be submitted by March 31.

Learn how to enter and view program rules: www.cobbemc.com/makeover

*Winner is solely responsible for all applicable taxes.

Cobb EMC

For a full list of sponsors, please visit our website.

BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF MEMBERSHIP

BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF ENERGY

Are your ducts in a row?

Your air ducts are one of the most important systems in your home, and if the ducts are poorly sealed or insulated they are likely contributing to high energy bills.

$5,000 scholarship deadline approaching

The Cobb EMC Community Foundation Scholarship deadline is quickly approaching but you still have the opportunity to apply! Fourteen scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each are available. There are two types of scholarships: College/University and Vocational/Technical College. Find the application on our website at www.cobbemc.com/cfscholarship.

Basic qualifications* • Live in a primary residence served by Cobb EMC • Complete the two-page application • Write an essay, no more than three pages, with references to future plans and goals • Provide two letters of recommendation

Winter mission accomplished

Hundreds of children will stay warm this winter thanks to the generosity of our community! Cobb EMC joined forces with Operation Warmth, a Cobb Children’s Fund program, to distribute more than 500 new coats to kids in need across Cobb County and Marietta City schools. The coats were collected from different participating organizations and corporations between the months of November and January.

Deadline:March 11, 2016

*Visit www.cobbemc.com/cfscholarship for a full list of eligibility requirements and qualifications.

You’re invited!Check your ducts for air leaks. First, look for sections that should be joined but have separated and then look for obvious holes.

Avoid cloth-backed, rubber adhesive duct tape as it tends to fail quickly. Instead, use mastic, butyl tape, foil tape or other heat-approved tapes. Look for tape with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) logo.

Minor duct repair tips from the U.S. Department of Energy:

Get professional help when doing ductwork. A qualified professional should always perform changes and repairs to a duct system. To find a list of our approved contractors, visit www.cobbemc.com/contractors.

12Join us for our FREE Energy Efficiency Seminar to learn how to save money while cooling your home this summer. Tuesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. Cobb EMC Community Room www.cobbemc.com/seminar

BRINGING YOU THE POWER OF SAFETY

Give your space heater some space

Many people turn to space heaters or electric blankets for added warmth in the winter. However, you need to use these devices with caution. Fires from space heaters and electric blankets cause, on average, 2,800 fires and an annual financial loss of $3.2 million in the United States.

When buying a space heater or electric blanket:

• Check for approved safety certification marks to verify that the product has been tested for safety. • Look for space heaters and electric blankets with safety features, including an automatic shut off. • Be very cautious about buying used space heaters or electric blankets. They may not have up-to-date safety mechanisms.

You’re invited!

Here are some tips for using space heaters and blankets:

• Review and follow all manufacturer directions.

• Plug space heaters and electric blankets directly into outlets; avoid using an extension cord.

• Always remember to turn off space heaters and electric blankets when not in use. Never leave one of these devices on unattended or after going to bed.

• Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet from blankets, clothing, paper and other flammables.

• Be aware of pets and children near heating appliances. Pets should never be allowed to sleep on top of electric blankets.

Sources: Safe Electricity, Office of Compliance Safety & Health

Cobb EMC goes to great lengths for safety At Cobb EMC, we are committed to working safely and effectively to protect members, employees and our community. We strive to bring you the power of safety through education and community outreach, tools, resources and programs including our high voltage safety demonstrations provided by our safety department and our Electric Avenue presentations. We are also proud to be an active participant in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), a comprehensive system-wide approach to improving safety.

Take a look at some of our employee safety highlights from 2015:

15,178 safety training

hours completed

99.7% daily

success rate

12 employees

attended Safety Ambassador

Training

100% of employees

attended monthly safety

meetings12 51

frontline supervisors attended Frontline Supervisor Safety

Meetings each month

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mSAVE MORE WITH CO-OP CONNECTIONS®:

As a member of Cobb EMC you are connected to valuable discounts through your Co-op Connections® Card, including discounts from local participating businesses. Find out more at www.cobbemc.com/discounts.

SAVE MORE WITH CO-OP CONNECTIONS®:

Mark your calendar

Open board meeting Where: 1000 EMC Parkway Marietta, GA 30060 When: Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. 23

FEB

Healthcare and Fitness

Blumsack Family Chiropracticwww.blumsackfamilychiropractic.com Corey Chiropractic www.coreychiro.com Eaton Chiropracticwww.eatonchiropractic.com Highland Family Chiropracticwww.highlandfamilychiro.com

Horseshoe Bend Chiropractic www.horseshoebendchiropractic.com

Max Muscle Sports Nutritionwww.maxmusclecobb.com

Relax and Wax www.relaxandwax.com

Smith Smile Orthodonticswww.smithsmile.com

Quick Weight Loss Centerswww.qwlc.com

Financial and Business Services

D F Globalwww.amway.com/dfglobal

Dollar Wise Cartridgewww.dollarwisecartridgemobile.com Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC*www.53.com Just T-shirt Quiltswww.justtshirtquilts.com/cobbemc

Picture Frame Depotwww.pfdatlanta.com

PromoURLogo www.promourlogo.com Windham Business Serviceswww.windhamservices.net

Your spare change continues to make an impact in our community!

Through Operation Round Up®, our members have contributed more than $1.5 million to charities in our community. Find a full list of recipients at www.cobbemc.com/roundup.

January 2016 donations • The Center for Family Resources • Cobb Public Schools Foundation • Junior League of Cobb-Marietta Inc. • Kennesaw State University • Omosaze Inc. • Quality Care for Children • SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center Inc. • Sweetwater Mission Inc. • Vision Rehabilitation Services of Georgia • YWCA of Northwest Georgia Inc.

Time to check your HVAC!

Our annual $50 HVAC Tuneup rebate is back! The program begins March 1 and will run through June 1, or while supplies last. As much as half of the energy used in our homes goes to heating and cooling, so visit our website and register to receive a voucher!

For program guidelines, a complete list of approved contractors and to register, visit www.cobbemc.com/tuneup.

Download the Co-op Connections® app to get your card on your

tablet or mobile phone!*Online offer must be redeemed at www.cobbemc.com/discounts