Highliner.jpg   Sawnee Electric
Membership
Corporation
www.Sawnee.com

 
Volume 26, Issue 10            We're More Than Electricity, We're Service    
    Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Did you Know?

Did you know that duct leakage can account for major comfort problems and higher cooling and heating bills?  It's true, leaks in your ductwork can decrease your system's efficiency by 30 percent or more.  This means that you may be cooling and heating your attic and basement and, therfore not receiving the maximum benefit of your HVAC system(s) in living spaces.

Consider permanently sealing up any leaks that you may have with duct mastic.  Check with your HVAC company as the application of mastic my be part of you annual maintenance contract.  Do-it-yourselfers can purchase mastic at any home improvement store.

Cool Weather is on the Way…

The leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground.  The weather is beginning to cool off, and Halloween is just around the corner.  That’s right, you guessed it…fall is officially here! 

As the season moves on into winter, the weather will continue to get colder, so there is no time like the present to make sure your home is ready for this year’s winter season.  You can start today by checking your home for air tightness.  Below is a quick and easy way to check your home for air leaks.
 

  

Test for Air Leaks:

On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, attic hatches, and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside.  If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak in your home.
Follow these simple tips for sealing those leaks and making your home more energy efficient:

  •      Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows.

  •       Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.

  •       Install inexpensive foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.

  •       Install storm windows over single pane windows or replace them with double pane windows.
 

By taking the proper precautions now, you can save time and money in the cold winter months ahead!  Need more help?  Call 770-887-2363 and ask one of our trained professional energy experts to come to your home or business and perform an energy audit.  This audit will pinpoint the areas that you need to address. 

 

For additional information, contact our Energy Services Department at 770-887-2363, Extension 7544 or visit our Energy Center online at www.sawnee.com.

Small Change Makes A BIG Difference

Did you know that Sawnee EMC has a “not for profit” foundation that supports local charities?  It’s called the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation, or “Operation Round Up”.  On September 8, 2006, the Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation awarded $26,250.00 to four (4) local charities.  The funds will be used for a host of reasons, all of which will benefit the community these charities serve.  Keep reading to see the difference that Operation Round Up has made to those in need.

  
 



 

Our Mission

Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation exists to serve the changing needs of members by enhancing the quality of life by actively supporting community developments and identifying and serving the members' needs.

  • Challenged Child and Friends, Inc. - This organization will use $5,000.00 to purchase special equipment for their multi-sensory room for the school located in Gainesville.

  • Resource & Residential Alternatives - Received $6,250.00 to correct landscaping problems and to repair a badly damaged chimney at their group home in Fulton County.

  • Childkind - This organization received $11,000.00 for educational supplies needed to recruit foster parents for disabled children in the Gwinnett, Forsyth and North Fulton areas.

  • MUST Ministries - Received $4,000.00 to purchase diapers for the toddler room of their facility located in Cherokee County.
 

Sawnee EMC members who have signed up for the Operation Round Up program “round up” their electric bill to the next highest dollar.  In turn, 100% of the funds are donated to non-profit 501 (c)(3) and 501 (c)(4) organizations.

 
 

Do you know of a 501 (c)(3) or 501 (c)(4) non-profit organization?  If so, help us to spread the word that they could be eligible for funds through Operation Round Up.  Applications are accepted on a continuing basis.  Interested parties should contact Cindy King, Director of External Affairs, at 678-455-1539 or via email at cindy.king@sawnee.com, for more information today!

  
Quotable Quote

"If there is one skill in life that we all need to learn it's how to get back up, dust ourselves off, and get on with things."

A.C. Ping

Watt Does It Cost?

Have you ever wondered how much it costs each month to operate your refrigerator?  How about your dryer or other household appliances, or are you just thinking about pulling that space heater out of your closet for cold winter nights ahead? 

All of these items use electricity to operate, but just how much they use each month may surprise you.  Below is a chart of common household appliances and their average monthly energy usage and estimated operating costs.  For additional information on energy efficiency, please visit our Energy Center online at www.sawnee.com.

  

Appliance

Typical Wattage

Average Hours Used Monthly

Typical Monthly Cost

Clothes Dryer

5000

24

$11.40

Clothes Washer(not including hot water)

1200

18

$2.05

Dehumidifier (40 pint)

625

720

$42.75

Dehumidifier (65 pint)

790

720

$54.04

Dishwasher(with dry cycle)

1000

20

$1.90

Electric Furnace

10000

180

$171.00

Freezer (Upright/Chest 17 cubic ft.)

600

300

$17.10

Heater – (Portable)

1500

150

$21.38

Range (Large Surface)

2400

10

$2.28

Refrigerator (25 cubic ft.)

900

240

$20.52

Swimming Pool –(1 hp. pump)

1000

360

$34.20

Television (60 inch)

240

120

$2.74

Water Heater (40 gallon tank)

4500

100

$42.75
 








Contact Us

Physical Address
543 Atlanta Hwy
Cumming, GA 30040

Business Office Hours
Mon.-Fri. 7am-9pm;
Sat. 8am-5pm;

24-Hour Emergency Service

Postal Address
P.O. Box 266
Cumming, GA
30028-0266

Phone Numbers
Customer Service Center
(770)887-2363
Fax (678) 947-3368
TDD (770) 781-4271
(800) 635-9131

Sawnee Electric Membership Foundation, Inc.
P.O.Box 1174
Cumming, GA 30028
Phone: 678-455-1539
Fax: 678-513-8106
Cindy.King@Sawnee.com

 
 

Do You Have A Commercial Account With Sawnee?

  

Sawnee EMC is offering a new rebate to its commercial members.   If you can reduce your peak demand by 2.5 kilowatts, you will be eligible for up to a $500 rebate on any equipment or items purchased to achieve your demand for energy reduction.

How can you achieve a 2.5 kW reduction in demand?  “Demand” is the highest amount of kilowatts used in a 30-minute period during a month.   This savings can be achieved in a number of ways and oftentimes upgrading older electrical appliances or equipment, or even installing timers to control lighting and HVAC equipment, can achieve this goal.

For example, if your business has 60-watt incandescent light bulbs, replacing 60 of those bulbs with 13-watt compact fluorescent bulbs would result in a savings of 2.82 kilowatts.   Another easy method is to replace that electric water heater that consumes 4.5 kWh to "under sink" point of use water heaters that only consume .750 kWh.
 

To apply for the rebate, visit our Web site at www.sawnee.com and look under “rebates and incentives” in the “Energy Center”, fill out the application form with your proposed changes and send it in.  One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a time to verify your improvements.  If you have any additional questions, please contact Scott Sewell, Commercial Marketing Representative, at 678-455-1357 or via email at Scott.Sewell@Sawnee.com