CONNECTIONS
The Official Newsletter of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation | JULY 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cobb EMC hosts free events for members to explore topics that impact energy efficiency in the home. Additionally, we offer programs that support efficiency habits and help our members save money.
Save these dates!
Solar Energy Seminar: July 30
Annual Meeting: Sept. 14
Trunk or Treat: Oct. 26
Visit our website to learn more about these events: cobbemc.com/events
CELEBRATING
10 YEARS OF IMPACT
Small change, big difference
Since inception, the Cobb EMC Foundation has awarded more than $8.9 million to local charities and nonprofits. Thank you to members who round up their bills each month through Operation Round Up.
For a full list of recipients or to learn how to request funding, visit cobbemc.com/foundation
THE POWER OF SMART-HOME TECHNOLOGIES
Smart-home technologies are transforming how we live, making our homes more comfortable, convenient and energy-efficient than ever before. Smart-home technologies are devices that communicate with each other to automate everyday tasks and functions around the home, like heating and cooling, lighting and security. In addition to convenience, smart technologies enable consumers to manage and monitor their energy consumption through device scheduling and control. If you’re new to the smart tech world, there are several cost-effective devices you can try as you explore ways to make your home smarter.
One of the best and most inexpensive places to start is with a smart bulb or plug. Smart LED bulbs allow you to control home lighting remotely through a smartphone app or voice commands. You can set schedules to automatically turn lights off or on, which can help you save energy and boost home security.
Smart plugs are another inexpensive way to give electronics and small appliances the smart-home treatment. Smart plugs allow you to set schedules and remotely control power to lamps, small appliances and electronics, minimizing standby energy consumption and maximizing convenience.
Home cooling accounts for a significant portion of energy use, so one of the best investments you can make in smart tech is a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats learn and adjust to your routine and build a schedule around it.
Smart security systems are popular options for homeowners looking for advanced security solutions that incorporate cameras, sensors and cloud-based video recordings.
Whether you’re looking to automate every aspect of your home or simply want to try a device or two, smart technologies have the power to transform your living space into a home where comfort and convenience reign supreme. Find incentives to help with the cost of smart-home tech and more energy efficiency tips at cobbemc.com/save
7 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT POWER RESTORATION
We assess the situation first. Every outage is different, and we don’t know how dangerous it is or what equipment might need to be replaced. When responding to outages, we first need to see what happened, then figure out what materials we need and a plan for how to fix the problem(s) without compromising electric flow for the rest of our members.
Restoration is normally prioritized by the largest number of members we can get back on in the shortest amount of time. Our crews focus on the backbone of our infrastructure, ensuring that essential services such as hospitals and public safety facilities are operational. Then, we systematically complete work that will benefit the greatest number of members.
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Text REG to 898-362 1 2 4 Reporting power outages is important. When your power goes out, it might be just at your home or small section of a neighborhood. Always report power outages to help us gather as much information as possible about the situation.
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Our employees face many dangers. Besides working around high-voltage electricity, our crews are on alert for wild animals, weather elements, falling trees and fast-moving cars. (If you ever drive past one of our work zones, please do so slowly.)
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Enroll in outage text alerts to stay informed during outages.
Sometimes it’s a waiting game. Our portion of the power grid is connected to other electric utilities, and we maintain positive relationships with power providers interconnected to our system. If our outage is due to an issue from their feed into our system, we must let them do their repairs and be mindful of what they’re going through to fix it. At times, we also work together with other providers to expedite restoration for all consumers impacted.
Flickering lights are a good thing. Some folks mistake flickering lights for outages, but these “blinks” are important because they indicate our equipment worked and prevented a possible outage likely caused by wayward animals or stray tree limbs on the lines.
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When the power goes out, we expect it to be restored within a few hours. But when a major storm or natural disaster causes widespread damage, extended outages may result. Our line crews work long, hard hours to restore service safely to the greatest number of consumers in the shortest time possible. Here’s what’s going on when you find yourself in the dark: cobbemc.com/outage
You need a backup plan. We do our best to help those who need it, but if you depend on electricity for life support purposes, you must have a backup plan. Remember, we don’t always know how long restoration efforts will take.
Open the camera app on your smartphone and point it at the
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM SCAMS
If you receive an unexpected call or knock on your door from someone who claims to be a Cobb EMC employee, beware. Scammers are increasingly targeting our members by phone, email or in person pretending to be Cobb EMC employees.
COBB EMC WILL NEVER:
• Collect money in the field.
• Instruct you to call a phone number that is not ours, 770-429-2100.
• Sell you products, services or rooftop solar in your neighborhood.
• Collect money for trimming trees, or ask contractors to collect money for trimming trees on our behalf.
VALID COBB EMC PHONE NUMBERS:
Member Care: 770-429-2100
Automated pay line: 1-855-730-8714
Outage text alerts: 898-362
Billing text alerts: 855-949-3524
AVOID SOLAR SCAMS
Be extra careful when reviewing offers that may sound too good to be true. Take your time when making a long-term financial decision and follow our checklist and Rooftop Solar Assessment to help you decide if solar is right for you. cobbemc.com/solar
AVOID HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS
Receive several opinions and quotes prior to having any work done, carefully read contracts before signing and take caution before paying for the work upfront.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Claire Petersen - Blessed Trinity Catholic High School
Emma Bayer - Cobb Online Learning Academy
Lily Tow - Kennesaw Mountain High School
Claudia Canovas - Atlanta International School
Anvita Rautray - Etowah High School
Madeline Mendoza - Osborne High School
Hannah Knight - Harrison High School
Katherine Carter - Wheeler High School
Alyssa Ramirez - Marietta High School
Ajanay Butts - Kell High School
Julia Randall - Lassiter High School
Amelie Drescher - Campbell High School
Ryan Heiter - Woodstock High School
Matthew Lopez - Chattahoochee Technical College
Come to our member appreciation event and hear how we’re working to make your electric service more convenient and reliable. Register in person by 9:30 a.m. to receive 4 North Georgia State Fair tickets.
Saturday, September 14
8-11:30 a.m. at Jim R. Miller Park
8-9:30 a.m. - Member Registration
Find a detailed agenda at cobbemc.com/annualmeeting
Bring this magazine, a copy of your bill or the Cobb EMC app to simplify registration.
You don’t have to wait for your exclusive natural gas savings!
As a Cobb EMC member, you can begin saving on your natural gas right now with special member discounts through Gas South, Georgia’s highest-rated provider. Easily join in just a few minutes for:
• A 2¢-per-therm permanent discount*
• $50 in bill credits
• No deposit and no connection fee
Sign up today online for the great service and savings you deserve!
Visit: GasSouth.link/cobb-savings
Use Promo Code: COBB
