BEECH ISLAND --- The Runyon family got a surprise visit Monday evening from a walking energy-efficient light bulb and a host of energy-saving advocates.
The Aiken County family won the Help My House energy makeover contest sponsored by Aiken Electric Cooperative and The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
Representatives from the cooperatives, including the LED mascot for the companies; Lennox Heating and Cooling; and others visited the home to announce the prize of up to $10,000 in energy-efficient upgrades, said Bill Inman, the vice president of Aiken Electric. The family was one of 400 in Aiken County and more than 4,000 statewide who entered the contest.
"I'm just really surprised," Fred Runyon said. "I've entered contests before but never won anything."
Mr. Runyon and his wife, Jane, are raising their three grandchildren at their home on Oakdale Drive and usually see an energy bill of more than $300 each winter month, Mr. Runyon said.
Mrs. Runyon said she hoped entering the contest through South Carolina Living magazine would help them cut costs.
"We just wanted a lower heating and cooling bill, but we didn't even realize what was costing us so much was the system we have," she said.
Jay Matkovich, the territory manager for Lennox, said his crew would come out to the home within the next month to install a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit. Upgrading the unit will cut their bill in half, he said.
Aiken Electric Cooperative will send out a crew of contractors this month to determine whether the Runyons' need to replace insulation, the water heater or other appliances, Mr. Inman said.
The contest has awarded upgrades to families in Rock Hill, Bluffton, Woodruff, St. George, St. Matthews and Little River, Mr. Inman said.
"We're excited to help people with savings, but we also want to educate them about how little changes can help," he said.
Heating and cooling make up 55 percent of the average energy cost in homes, Mr. Inman said.
Mr. Runyon said he hopes he can see the savings from his energy-efficient upgrades by Christmas.
"I want to be able to get the kids more clothes and take care of all the shopping," he said. "We've been paying the bill just to stay warm, but this is going to give us some help."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
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For more about the contest and how to save on energy costs, visit: www.helpmyhouse.org.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
cool!!
why doesn't ga power do something like this, or do they?
Aiken Electric is a consumer owned utility that provides cost efficent power to their members. Better conservation beats building new power plants in every aspect. The upgrades to this families home will spot lights how other members can help save the plant from carbon output, by reducing their electrical usage and still have the same comfort and look of their old appliances and lights. You are right GA Power should do this, every utility should do this. It is all about conservation.
Yeah whatever. This is the very same company that shut me off for a mear $50.00 that I overlooked. (After my electric bills have been as much as $800.00 a month in the winter) Then they had the nerve to charge me $50.00 more to have it turned back on. This all took place within 45 minutes. They didn't give a crap that that $50.00 was our food money for the week. I have a handicapped child and my husband is on disability so money is TIGHT. This was explained to them and they could give a rats butt so, BOOOOOOOOOOOOO to Aiken Co-op!!!
Oh yeah, they now put this collar on your meter so they can shut you off from the office instead of coming to your home. That way they don't have to hear what you have to say. 1 minute after that payment is due they just flick the switch and trust me they don't care and give no one a break. Not like SCE&G where they'll at least try to help you out. So again, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to Aiken Co-op!!!!