Lower summer demand, save money COMING SOON

At Pioneer Electric, we are always looking for ways to make our members’ lives easier. That’s why we‘re launching our new 24-hour payment kiosk. Once installed, the new selfservice kiosk outside our main office will allow members to pay their electric bills any time, day or night, with just a few taps.

On hot days, electricity usage peaks in the afternoons when everyone is trying to cool their homes and businesses. In the Pioneer Electric service area, the peak summer energy demand hours are from 3:30 to 6 p.m. By limiting your energy use during these peak times, you’ll make strides toward keeping summer energy bills low.

You just need to level out your energy load throughout the day and lower your electricity usage during peak hours. Here are some helpful tips:

Optimize your air conditioning. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when it is hot outside, and use a fan to circulate air to keep cool. This will significantly reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your comfort.

Consider time of day when using heat-generating appliances. Wait until peak demand hours have passed to use large appliances like your oven, stove and dishwasher.

Do laundry during nonpeak hours. Wash in the morning or evening, using cold water when possible, and consider line-drying your clothes outside for even more savings.

Adjust your lighting. Incandescent bulbs generate a lot of heat, causing your AC to use more energy to keep your home cool. LED bulbs, on the other hand, consume less energy and generate less heat.

Remember, making small changes to your routine can lower your demand, reduce your energy bill and help your cooperative continue to provide affordable electricity to all members.

Duncan to lead PowerSouth board

At PowerSouth Energy Cooperative’s Annual Meeting on May 19, Tom Duncan, a longserving co-op trustee, was elected as the board’s chairman.

Duncan, a self-employed farmer from Greenville, has represented Pioneer Electric on PowerSouth’s board for 15 years, and has served as District 4’s trustee for 17 years. Known for his dedication to the cooperative, he completed the Director Gold Program and earned both his Credentialed Cooperative Director and Board Leadership certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Duncan, who also serves as a trustee of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, is active in local farming organizations.