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www.horryelectric.com

Main OfficeP.O. Box 119 Conway, SC 29528-0119

Conway Office: 369-2211

Socastee Office: 650-7530

(to report power outages only)369-2212

Board of TrusteesJohnny M. Shelley President

James P. “Pat” Howle Executive Vice President and CEO

Eugene Harriott, Jr. Vice President

Ashley AndersonSecretary/Treasurer

Franklin C. BlantonBen P. HarrelsonMarcus E. GeraldHenry W. BoydElaine D. GoreBobby E. Jordan

Co-op Connection EditorPenelope D. Hinsonpenelope.hinson@ horryelectric.com

Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a non-profit, member-owned organization providing information and energy-related services on a fair and equitable basis.

Co-opConnection

Resist electric resistance

James P. “Pat” HowleExecutive Vice President/CEO

ELECTRIC CO-OPS, ESPECIALLY the ones here in South Carolina, have long promoted heat pumps and urged members to resist electric resistance

or ‘strip’ heating that comes standard in many manufactured homes.

Our message of resistance must be getting through. Palmetto State consumers purchased 2,063 heat pumps during this spring’s S.C. Appliance Rebate Program.

We helped the state Energy Office promote the rebates to encourage members to invest in efficient technologies. Now, S.C. consumers stand to save close to $14 million, the Energy Office estimates.

Savings opportunitiesMembers who use heat pumps instead of electric resistance heating stand to save a great deal on winter heating bills. Savings to our members is our motivation for a lot of things we’ve been doing lately.

At about the same time we were promoting the purchase of energy- efficient appliances like heat pumps, we were working with our sister cooperatives in South Carolina to propose the Rural Energy Savings Program, which is drawing national attention and praise. We’re seeking federal funding to make low-interest loans to members for home energy improvements. We brought the idea to the table because many members aren’t able to get conventional loans for this purpose.

We should all invest in efficiency. If you can afford to do so, do it now. The payback will come in lower power

bills, greater comfort and higher home resale values.

If you can get financing for a home, but can’t swing the necessary energy upgrades, check with your FHA-approved lender about an Energy Efficient Mortgage. This program allows homebuyers to finance the addition of energy-saving features to new or existing homes.

Seal the dealWhen you make the investment in energy improvements, don’t forget to seal the deal. Even the best quality insulation and highest-efficiency heat pump won’t work if your home has air leaks that allow outside air into your home.

Floors, ceilings, walls, ducts, fireplaces, doors, windows, fans and vents, even electric outlets can allow warm air to seep into your home during the summer months. To keep from wasting your energy dollars, make sure you take great care with sealing, caulking and weatherstripping all the seams, cracks and openings to the outside. Plumbing penetrations in your home can also be a source for air leakage.

For more information on energy- savings ideas, visit horryelectric.com. We have a wide variety of energy information and tools to help guide you through your way to comfort and savings. Little changes really can add up.

Want to track your use?Conservation is just one of the benefits

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Horry News

WANT TO kNOW hOW

mUCh energy you used yesterday? How about the day before? Last week?

With Horry Electric’s new service, provided FREE to members, you can now keep up with and track the amount of energy you use!

MyUsage.com is a power awareness program that helps users save money and the environment by promoting energy conservation.

“We’ve looked at being able to offer this for some time,” says Eddy Blackburn, marketing analyst for Horry Electric. “The research shows that, on average, people will use less energy if they can keep track of how much energy they’re using every day,” he continued.

“We talk to a lot of members who are shocked

when they get a bill and see how much energy they’ve used in one billing period,” says Jodi Braziel, office manager for Horry Electric. A billing period, she explains, is normally for about 30 days of service. “Electricity is a product that you can’t really see or touch, and you don’t know how much you’re using until the bill comes and it’s too late to do anything about it at that point.”

That’s not the case with MyUsage.com.

“Members who sign up to monitor their account through MyUsage.com will have an advantage,” she continued. “They’ll be able to check their energy use each day and can even set up their account so the information is delivered directly to their e-mail account.”

It really works! “Based on the results some of our sister cooperatives across the country are reporting their members are experiencing, programs like MyUsage.com really work,” says Blackburn. “A co-op in Oklahoma recently reported 85 percent of their members had

told the co-op they were being more conservative with their individual use of electricity and, after evaluating all the accounts, the co-op was able to report that most people were using about 14 percent LESS electricity after they started monitoring their use.”

Other benefits Conservation is just one of the benefits members can get out of participating in MyUsage.com and monitoring their use of electricity.

“If you notice the amount of kWh you’re using increases dramatically in a short time, there might be something in your home malfunctioning and causing the extra kWh,” says Gail Morton, supervisor of the service department at Horry Electric, adding that heat strips are usually the cause.

“The other situation that

comes to mind is if you’re away from home and your power goes out for some reason,” says Blackburn. “If you’re monitoring your use through MyUsage.com, you’d be able to see that and call us to restore service to the meter and then you could get a neighbor, relative or friend to check inside the house for possible problems.”

Signing up for the free service is easy. All you have to do is visit myUsage.com and follow the step-by-step instructions. “When you land on the home page for MyUsage.com, you’ll see there is an option for two different types of accounts,” explains Braziel. “Skip those two links and go directly to the third option to set up an account with MyUsage.com.”

You don’t have to be on the Internet via your desktop or laptop to receive information or monitor your energy use through MyUsage.com. “They have mobile applications for the iPhone, Android and Windows Mobile,” says Morton, adding there is also a Facebook application for the service. “And all that access is on top of being able to set up an alert delivered to your e-mail account.”

MyUsage.com is a power awareness program that helps users save money and the environment.

Are you connected?Connecting to area businesses through Co-op Connections

Berni’s Café f One free spinach cake or one free scoop of cobbler with the purchase of any entrée — 1028 Third Ave.; Conway. (843) 488-1558, berniscafe.comBloomers Florist & Home Décor f 10% off entire purchase — e-mail: bloomersfloristandhomedecor@yahoo.com — 4505 Hwy. 501 West; Conway. (843) 365-2873Curtains-n-Things f 10% off all in-stock curtains — 1014 Third Ave.; Conway. (843) 248-5665Grapefull Sisters Vineyard, fLLC Buy one wine tasting and get one free — 95 Dot’s Drive; Tabor City, NC 28463. (919) 653-2944, grapefullsistersvineyard.comHaywire Custom Guitars.Com f Web site sales only — 10% off any custom guitar listed on Web site, plus 10% off all optional items. Free hardshell case with any custom guitar ordered from website. haywirecustomguitars.comHorry County Collision f 10% off all auto collision repair — 2897 Hwy. 501 West; Conway. (843) 369-2639James Morton Photography f10% off wedding packages and products. 10% off portrait products — albums, prints and CD’s (session fee not included). This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. Business hours are by appointment only — 2077 Hwy. 90; Conway. (843) 855-0240, jamesmortonphotography.comLee Lewis Heating & Air fConditioning, LLC 10% off new home installations up to $500 per home; 10% off change-outs up to $500 per home; 10% off parts for service calls—500 Frye Road; Aynor. (843)-358-5335Low Country Termite & Pest fControl Wood Infestation Inspection and Report (CL-100) or 10% off services to new, first-time customers. For additional information, contact David Avant at (843) 365-7004, 3000 Avant Lane; Conway. (843) 365-7004Lumber Express f 10% off Precedence replacement windows or insulation ONLY. Qualify for 2010 Energy Tax Credit by buying Precedence replacement windows. 2111 Main Street; Conway. (843) 248-0143Martin Services Heating and Air f 10% off all service calls — 2894 Mooresmill Road; Aynor. (843) 241-7490Osprey Marina f 10% off any store or grill purchase — P.O. Box 30279; Myrtle Beach. (843) 215-5353, www.

ospreymarina.comPrince Creek Diner f 10% off any purchase — 11907 Hwy. 707; Murrells Inlet. (843) 651-4433, www.princecreekdiner.comPulleyBones Restaurant f 10% off any regular priced menu item. Not valid on specials or any other discounts — 3003 Hwy. 701 North; Conway. (843) 369-2669Reliable Medical Equipment f10% off any cash purchase. Not valid on insurance purchases — 1639 Hwy. 544; Conway. (843) 234-1249, patients1stmedical.comStanley Steemer f carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, Oriental and area rug cleaning, leather cleaning, tile and grout clean and seal, air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, hardwood floor clean and refinish, hard surface strip, seal and wax, flooring sales-carpet, tile, hardwood and laminate, restoration—water, fire, smoke and mold—MINIMUMS APPLY— $91 for cleaning, $150 air duct and dryer vent and $500 flooring sales. CANNOT COMBINE WITH OTHER SPECIALS. 1111 Hwy. 501 Business—Suite 10; Conway. (843)-347-5081Stricklands Plumbing f 10% off all labor — 916 Hwy. 905; Conway. (843) 457-6544Tech Service, Inc. Heating & fCooling 5% off new equipment and change out. 10% off service calls — 2617 Shoffner Rd.; Conway. (843) 488-2121T & J Organic Emporium f 10% off any purchase — 926H Iris St.; Myrtle Beach. (843) 839-2211, www.tjorganicemporium.comThe Grand Salon & Gifts f $5 off highlights or color service; 10% off all gifts—not valid on sale items, free eyebrow or lip wax with purchase of haircut, shampoo and style; free foot mask with the purchase of a regular pedicure and manicure; $25 express pedicure ($10 off original price of $35) — 2608 N. Main Street; Conway. (843) 488-1010, www.thegrandsalon.usThorny’s Steakhouse & Saloon f Free appetizer (value of $6.99) with minimum purchase of $25, not valid with any other coupons or discounts — 600 South Kings Hwy.; Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-2333, www.thornys.comTurner’s Custom Auto Glass f 15% off all windshield replacement or repair. Aquapel Windshield Treatment $10 – Value $20 — 4900 Hwy. 17 Bypass; Myrtle Beach. (843) 293-6060, www.turnersglass.com.

ThE CO-OP CONNECTIONS PROgRAm, a card-based member benefit program for Touchstone Energy cooperatives, is designed to deliver added value to cooperative members. The program benefits cooperative members by offering valuable discounts at participating local, regional and national businesses. At the same time, those businesses benefit from increased customer visits by co-op members participating in the program. At any time, members can visit the Co-op Connections section of horryelectric.com to find the latest list of participating businesses.

At home or when you’re on the road in another part of the United States, it’s easy to spot which businesses partici- pate. Just look for the Co-op Connec-tions stickers in the windows. Your Co-op Connections card will be honored.

Our list of local participating businesses is growing and, once again, we’re featuring them in South Carolina Living. Save this page and make a point of visiting these businesses when you get a chance.

If you are a business owner and would like to participate, please contact Toni Gore at 369-6359 or toni.gore@horryelectric.com.

If you know of a business you think should be a part of the program, let them know about the Co-op Connections program and have them give us a call. We’d be more than happy to add them to the list!

Alternative Health Clinic f 10% off procedures ONLY such as acupuncture, chiropractic office, laser therapy to stop smoking and pain relief — 4810 North Kings Hwy.; Myrtle Beach. (843) 692-9243, alternativehealthclinicmb.com Ann Booth Jewelers f 20% off gold, diamond and platinum jewelry. We also offer professional watch and jewelry repair (DISCOUNT DOES NOT APPLY) pearl restringing, engraving, repairs on watches — mechanical and quartz watches, remounting, gold and silver casting, sterling silver, precision gemscope inspection—1020 Third Ave.; Conway. (843) 248-2105Arbortech, Inc. f 15% off all services — 1031 Chateau Drive; Conway. (843) 450-0921 Atlantic Heating & Cooling, Inc. f 15% off all service calls — 502 Main St.; North Myrtle Beach. (843) 249-8596

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Co-opConnection

Statement of nondiscriminationHorry Electric Cooperative, Inc. is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, the admission or access to, denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization’s programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization’s nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Abigail Lewis, human resources coordinator. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization; or write USDA, director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; or call, toll free, (866) 632-9992 (voice). TDD users can contact USDA through local relay or the Federal relay at (800) 877-8399 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

CO-OP mEmbERS WhO have a health problem requiring use of special, electric-powered medical equipment should contact us as soon as possible to obtain a Special Needs Account Member Certification form.

Residential member-owners with such conditions

bANk DRAFT: The easiest, most convenient and least expensive way to do business with Horry Electric.

You will receive a bill each month stating your charges, but instead of having to write a check — your payment is automatically drafted from your account. Call (843) 369-2211 or visit horryelectric.com to find out more.

By mail Please mail your check, money order (include your payment stub) to: Horry Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 119, Conway, SC 29528-0119.

In person Cash, personal check, money order or cashier’s check accepted at any Horry Electric office. Conway office — 2774

Do you have special medical needs?If so, you need to let us know

will be required to secure the signature of a licensed health care provider on the form and then return it to the cooperative.

The certification is valid for 91 days from the date of the signature of the licensed health care provider. It is the responsibility of the

member to renew certifi- cation by obtaining the appropriate signatures on a new certification form and submitting it to the cooperative.

If you have questions, please call us at (843) 369-2211.

Horry Electric offers variety of easy,convenient payment options

Cultra Road; Socastee office — 5889 Highway 707; Horry Telephone — 2370 Highway 9 in Longs.

Conveniently located pay stationsYou must present your payment stub along with your payment. No partial payments will be accepted or processed. NBSC — 3650 Main Street in Loris; Conway National Bank — 2605 Highway 501 East in Aynor.

Online through my account You will need your account number and PIN to log into the system to view your account and make a payment using a credit card, debit card, or a checking or saving account. All transactions are processed through Speedpay. (You can also access Speedpay

without going through “my account” — just look for the Speedpay logo to launch the application.)

By phone Simply call (843) 369-2211 and select Option 2 in the menu. Once connected, follow a few easy steps. All transactions are processed through Speedpay. Horry Electric Cooperative employees are not permitted to accept payments of any type beyond the options listed here.

Payments that need to be credited immediately to avoid late penalties or even disconnection should be made online or by phone through Western Union Speedpay; in person, during regular office hours or dropped in the night depository after business hours.

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Horry Extra

ZIP

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Horry Extra

Small change changes lives

Through Operation Round Up, members of Horry Electric Cooperative have the unique opportunity to participate in an innovative program that provides funding for all kinds of worthy projects here in Horry County.

The bills of participating co-op consumers are rounded to the next-highest dollar each month. The extra cents we collect from each participant goes into the Operation Round Up fund. The average amount contributed by each person in a year is about $6.

Because we’re a Touchstone Energy Partner, we believe it’s only right that we should work for positive change within the communities we serve.

Contributions to Operation Round Up are tax deductible. For details, visit horryelectric.com or call us at 369-2211.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, wholesale power costs will no longer be shown as a separate line item on the bills of Horry Electric members. “Several members have expressed concerns and have been upset about the wholesale power adjustment on bills,” said James P. “Pat” Howle, executive vice president and CEO of Horry Electric, in his report to the members at the Annual Meeting in April. “It was my recommendation that it be shown as a separate line item because I wanted you to know what was causing the price of electricity to increase and to make it clear that it was not increasing because of operating costs at Horry Electric.

“Regardless, we’ve heard from you, our members, that you don’t like it on there as a separate line item,” Howle continued, adding that “after careful consideration, the board of trustees approved removing the separate line item, and these costs will now be included in your total energy charges.”

The wholesale power adjustment factor will appear on bills so members

who want to continue to follow these costs can calculate them on their own.

“The bottom line here, as far as the cost of power is concerned, amounts to 11½ cents per kWh,” said Howle, adding that the board also approved a comprehensive evaluation of the cooperative’s rate structure. The last rate study conducted for Horry Electric was in 2003.

“It is a priority for Horry Electric to efficiently utilize resources to ensure excellent member service and, at the same time, maintain the financial position of the cooperative for our members,” said Howle. Accomplishing this will require a cost of service study and a revenue requirements study in addition to a rate study. “A complete examination of our rates, our costs and our load factor, combined with a thorough assessment of possible future risks and opportunities are all necessary in order for us to either verify our rates are where they should be or if adjustments need to be made.”

WPA line item to be removed

Rate study work has begungDS AND ASSOCIATES, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, is working with Horry Electric on the studies. “They have been working with electric cooperatives for a number of years and have experience in helping distribution cooperatives find innovative and aggressive means of controlling costs, while maintaining

efficiency and service reliability,” said Danny Shelley, chief financial officer of Horry Electric. “They conducted our last rate study and are sensitive to our goals of operational efficiency and effective cost management, as well as our commitment to providing service to our members on a fair and equitable basis.”