Working from home, even on a temporary basis, may increase your energy use. It means that you’re spending more time using a computer, lights and other appliances at home, instead of in your workplace. By improving the energy efficiency of your home office equipment, you can save on energy costs without hampering your productivity.
Make sure computers and other office equipment are turned OFF when they’re not in use for an extended period of time.
Many electronic devices continue to use standby power even after they’re turned off. Connect your office equipment to an advanced power strip, which will automatically shut off power to unused devices.
Set office equipment, such as printers and scanners, to automatically switch to sleep mode when not in use. In addition to saving energy, the equipment will stay cooler, which will help to extend its useful life.
Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop. Laptops use less than one-third of the energy that a typical desktop computer uses.
Adjust the thermostat to the unoccupied setting. This avoids wasting energy by conditioning the entire house while you’re occupying only a small portion of it. Consider using a ceiling fan to maintain comfort. You can reverse its direction to clockwise in the winter, which pushes warm air down. In the summer, set the direction to counterclockwise.
Use task lighting with energy-efficient lamps. A desk lamp uses less energy than whole-room lighting.
When purchasing new office equipment, make sure it’s ENERGY STAR® qualified. ENERGY STAR-certified products use less energy than standard models. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every home office product purchased in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR qualified, Americans would save an estimated $75 million a year in energy costs.
If you have any questions about how much energy you’re using or if you need to talk to someone about your Horry Electric bill, call (843) 369-2211 and press “5” to speak to one of our Trusted Energy Advisors or email them at EnergyAdvisor@horryelectric.com.
You can also monitor your energy use through the MyEnergy Online portal on our website.
The March 2020 edition has six pages dedicated to local news about your co-op. Highlights include:
CEO Column– Save the date! Annual Meeting is set for Tuesday, May 12
Bright Ideas grants: Teachers can apply for a grant up to $1,000 to make bright ideas come to life in the classroom – deadline June 1
Rural Lady of the Year/W.I.R.E.: Aynor woman honored as Horry Electric’s Rural Lady of the Year; Apply now for W.I.R.E. scholarship
Get ready to RODEO!: How Horry Electric is preparing for the 2020 S.C. Lineman’s Rodeo (EVENT POSTPONED due to Coronavirus)
Various co-op news: Community Solar; Trusted Energy Advisors encourage you to Beat the Peak; Tree planting guide for overhead lines/ keep your distance with underground transformers
The health and safety of our members, our employees and our community is always a top priority. We’re monitoring the rapidly evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We’re committed to helping navigate this situation and our thoughts are with everyone impacted. Together, we can weather this storm. Just like we’ve done in the past with hurricanes and ice storms. We are #HorryCountyStrong.
Horry Electric is working very hard to do our part to keep the virus from spreading in accordance with theCDC guidelines for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Field crews are continuing operations, but we ask that you keep a 6-foot distance from them as they perform their duties. Our offices remain open to the public, but that is subject to change. We are urging members to use online tools to make payments and track energy use. We are inviting members to follow us on all social media channels, especially our Facebookpage.
We have temporarily discontinued home consultations and installations for the H2O Select and Load Management programs, as well as the Surge Guard program. The Energy Advisors are still available by phone @ 843.369.2211 and by email for the duration.
We want to reassure members that we are currently holding disconnects on all accounts and they will remain on hold until the state of emergency in our area is lifted. We are looking at a re-evaluation on March 31 and urge members to keep their account in good status to avoid disconnection when the hold is removed at the end of the COVID-19 emergency.
Please continue to keep track of your energy use and try to continue to pay your balances if at all possible. For your convenience, we will continue with alerts, reminders and late payment notifications to help members keep track of their account status. There is no chance of disconnection until the state of emergency is lifted, but once it is lifted, we will resume disconnecting services. We’re taking these actions because the last thing we want is for anyone to have to deal with the disconnection of service, a huge balance to be paid, plus reconnection fees at the end of the state of emergency. It’s all part of #LookingOutForYou because we are #LocalPeopleServingYou.
If you have questions about your billing or about payments, please call us at 843.369.2211 or emailus.
We have compiled some questions you may have and the answers to those questions.
Q: Is Horry Electric Cooperative ready and prepared to deliver reliable power during the COVID-19 outbreak?
A: Horry Electric is prepared and our team is continuously monitoring the situation and we will reassess our plans as needed. We are Local People Serving You and we are part of your community. As a provider of an essential service, we are determined to continue providing the safe and reliable power you need, while helping protect the health and safety of our employees, neighbors and community.
Q: How is Horry Electric protecting its employees?
A: We are implementing preventative measures to help keep our employees as safe as possible. All employees who are able to perform their work without being in the office are working remotely. All employees who interact with members for programs or in-office visits may cancel or reschedule non-urgent appointments and services. If an employee must be on-site, they have been directed to maintain a distance of six feet from other people and not shake hands. They can also use virtual forms of communication where it is possible.
Q: How is Horry Electric protecting the energy grid?
A: We are taking steps needed to ensure the stability and continuity of our operations, including resource and supply chain planning. Delivering safe and reliable electricity is our responsibility – and it’s our commitment to you, our members, that we continue to do so.
Q: What is Horry Electric doing for members who can’t work/can’t pay their bills?
A: We understand many of our members may be facing unusual financial hardships during this time, so we have suspended all disconnections for non-payment. We strongly encourage members to continue paying their bills in a timely manner. Late fees will apply, but there will be no disconnect actions taken. Alerts, reminders and late payment notices will continue to help members keep track of their account status.
We know this is a challenging time and we are committed to serving you, as well as our communities throughout Horry County. If you are having trouble paying your bill, please contact our office at 843-369-2211 during regular business hours and, as always, we will work with you.
Q: What does “suspending disconnection for non-payment” mean exactly?
A: This means we’re not taking action to disconnect an account for non-payment while we are in a state of emergency. We will continue to read meters and send bills, so we encourage our members to pay what you can in order to avoid building up a large balance that will be harder to pay off later. It also means we won’t disconnect members’ electric service, even if they haven’t paid bills that are overdue. Again, we encourage everyone to stay as up to date with their payments as possible. To help you keep track of your account status, we will continue sending out alerts, reminders and late payment notifications.
Q: How does this affect late fees?
A: Late fees will still apply. That’s why Horry Electric encourages members to stay as up to date with their payments as possible. We understand this is a difficult and unusual time, so we will work with members on extensions and we will not disconnect electric service if payments are overdue.
Q: What if I need to reach the Member Service Department?
A: We ask for our members’ patience as we may have to work with a reduced call center and service department staff, due to employees needing to take care of loved ones, including children due to school closures. We would like to remind members that they can do business with us by phone or you can access account information through our online member portal, MyEnergy Online on Horry Electric’s website or download our mobile app. Social media is also a great tool to stay up to date with the latest information from Horry Electric as this situation continues to unfold. You can also email us at service@horryelectric.com
CEO MESSAGE February 2020 as printed in South Carolina Living Magazine
Daniel B. Shelley, III
Executive Vice President and CEO
YOUR CO-OP IS BUILT on a strong foundation. In addition to the Seven Co-op Principles, we hold ourselves to the four Touchstone Energy Cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. These values represent the cooperative difference. We strive to demonstrate that difference. Every. Single. Day.
Commitment to Community
There is a project that has been in the news that we’re excited to be in a unique position to help make happen.
While we’re not in the driver’s seat on the possible multi-use community facility project, we can help put gas in the truck through provisions of the Rural Development Act. Horry Electric has about $400,000 per year that could either be sent to the State Tax Commission in Columbia or be kept in Horry County for the purpose of economic development.
We think it’s much better to keep the funds here at home. The possibilities are without limit and it will create much-needed jobs.
Integrity and Innovation
Members come first at Horry Electric. Every day. That’s the power of co-op membership. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we deliver energy to members at the cost of service and not for the profit of any shareholders.
We are always looking forward. Whether it’s exploring renewable energy projects or developing programs to promote energy efficiency, we celebrate innovation at all levels.
Accountability
We are local people, serving you. Accountability is important. We are excited about a new law passed in 2019, designed to augment our accountability to you.
Effective January 1, a member with an unresolved dispute regarding disconnection of service due to electric bill nonpayment may file a complaint with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) Customer Care Department pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws Section 33-49-255. ORS Customer Care can be contacted at 1-800-922-1531 or online at www.ors.sc.gov/consumers. ORS cannot assist cooperative members in establishing payment arrangements to avoid service interruption.
This is an option if we, for example, fail to adhere to standard protocols for disconnection. For regular accounts, there is a 25-day allowance from the date of billing. Advance Pay participants get a negative balance notification the day prior to disconnection and disconnects are scheduled no earlier than 10 a.m.
Stay tuned. Other aspects of the new law will be shared in the magazine as they go into effect over the next two years.
The February 2020 edition of South Carolina Living magazine has been uploaded to horryelectric.com! It will be delivered to mailboxes of subscribing members soon!
The February 2020 edition has six pages dedicated to local news about your co-op. Highlights include:
CEO Column– Built on a strong foundation; co-op principles plus four core values that represent the cooperative difference
Linemen on and off the field: Horry Electric’s linemen reflect on the 2019 Touchstone Energy Bowl Demo Day; One proud mom talks about her son and the game
Various co-op news: 2020 W.I.R.E. Jenny Ballard scholarship available; Apply now for $,1500 W.I.R.E. scholarship; Deadline approaching for summer youth trips
Lineman by day, bladesmith by trade: a continuation of our series on the Local People Serving You at Horry Electric: Shawn Gore
SC Lineman’s Rodeo: Get ready to rodeo! The Lineman’s Rodeo is happening in March 2020 at Horry Electric!
Horry Electric Cooperative is co-sponsoring with the Horry County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) for the Grinding of the Greens December 26 through January 29.
When you’re ready to take down your Christmas decorations, you can drop your ornament-free tree(s) at any of the 24 SWA Recycling & Convenience Centers. If you live in the city limits of Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Loris or Aynor, you can place your trees on the curb for pick-up. City of North Myrtle Beach residents can do the same between January 2-20.
The SWA asks that you remove all decorations, including lights, decorations and tinsel. Wreaths are not accepted. All of these things can cause issues with the chipper, so double-check and make sure there is nothing left on your tree.
You can help the environment through this initiative because HEC Contractors will come in to grind your trees into free mulch for people to use. Contractors will normally do this mid-February.
Once all the trees have been ground, free mulch is available, while supplies last, to all citizens at these four locations:
County landfill: four miles northeast of Conway, next to SWA administrative office, 1886 Hwy 90.
Myrtle Beach: 10th Avenue North Extension and 21st Avenue North Extension, behind Myrtle Waves.
Cherry Grove: Public parking lot at Ocean Boulevard and Shorehaven Drive, near 19th Avenue North.
Crescent Beach: Parking lot across from the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center at 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach.
When going to pick up mulch, please be sure to bring your own container.
The January 2020 edition of South Carolina Living magazine has been uploaded to horryelectric.com! It will be delivered to mailboxes of subscribing members soon.
Horry Electric Cooperative’s W.I.R.E (Women Involved in Rural Electrification) chapter is now accepting applications for the 2020 W.I.R.E. scholarship.
Applicants must be an Horry Electric member or dependent of a member. The applicant must also live in the home with the member.
The 2019 scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Johnson, a senior through Bob Jones Homeschool Program.
Mackenzie (pictured with parents Craig and Jennifer Johnson) received the scholarship in May 2019 with plans of attending Horry-Georgetown Technical College to major in physical therapy.
The $1,500 scholarship is for one academic year for a freshman entering Coastal Carolina University or Horry-Georgetown Technical College. $750 will be awarded for the fall semester and the additional $750 will be awarded contingent upon meeting the G.P.R. requirement.
The deadline to apply is Monday, March 2, 2020.
Applications have been sent to all Horry County high schools and are available through the guidance counselor. Students can also download the full scholarship criteria and application from this news story.
Applications can be mailed to:
Mrs. Susan Brown
Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc.
P.O. Box 119
Conway, S.C. 29538-0119
You can also email applications to susan.brown@horryelectric.com.
South Carolina high school teachers and guidance counselors, you have a chance to apply for an unforgettable experience! The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina are searching for chaperones to join high school students on Washington Youth Tour and on the Cooperative Youth Summit in 2020.
Washington Youth Tour: Explore Washington, D.C. with over 1,500 high school juniors from across the country, meeting lawmakers and touring the sights!
Cooperative Youth Summit: Experience South Carolina’s capital by touring the Statehouse, meeting lawmakers, and seeing how co-ops are preparing for the future!
Click here to apply to be a chaperone for one or both trips! You must be a current high school teacher or guidance counselor. If you’re selected, South Carolina’s electric cooperatives will pay for your transportation, hotel stay, exhibit admissions and three meals a day. It’s all free!
The deadline to apply is Friday, January 31, 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact Horry Electric’s Youth Tour Coordinator Toni Gore at 843-369-6359 or email toni.gore@horryelectric.com!
COMING SOON Horry Electric has restructured rates to give you control of your bill. The restructured rates will be effective for all members beginning with September 2024 use that appears on your October 2024 statement. Advance Pay members will be effective October 1 for October use. Click below to learn more about rates and peak hours.
Working from home, even on a temporary basis, may increase your energy use. It means that you’re spending more time using a computer, lights and other appliances at home, instead of in your workplace. By improving the energy efficiency of your home office equipment, you can save on energy costs without hampering your productivity.
The 
CEO MESSAGE 
Horry Electric Cooperative is co-sponsoring with the Horry County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) for the Grinding of the Greens December 26 through January 29.
Horry Electric Cooperative’s W.I.R.E (Women Involved in Rural Electrification) chapter is now accepting applications for the 2020 W.I.R.E. scholarship.
The 2019 scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Johnson, a senior through Bob Jones Homeschool Program.
South Carolina high school teachers and guidance counselors, you have a chance to apply for an unforgettable experience! The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina are searching for chaperones to join high school students on Washington Youth Tour and on the Cooperative Youth Summit in 2020.