News and Events

Saving money is easy with your computer turned off.....
February 9, 2012

Saving money is easy with your computer turned off. Save $105 a year by shutting down all the way. Learn more at http:www.togetherwesave.com




Big Sandy RECC’s SimpleSaver program gives you bill credits....
January 26, 2012

Big Sandy RECC’s SimpleSaver program gives you bill credits and helps us manage electric demand. Learn more at www.simplesaver.coop




Big Sandy RECC wants you to be prepared for a winter power outage.
January 18, 2012

Big Sandy RECC wants you to be prepared for a winter power outage. Find out how by clicking here.




Members asked to conserve power usage tomorrow, January 13th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
January 12, 2012

Members asked to conserve power usage tomorrow:

Friday, January 13th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 

 “We’re asking all Big Sandy RECC members to voluntarily conserve or limit energy use between the hours of Friday, January 13th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. when our membership will be using the greatest amount of electricity. It is during these times that our cooperative often must purchase power from the market at extremely high prices.”

During “normal” load periods, Big Sandy RECC pays only pennies per kilowatt-hour for power. However, during times of “peak” demand, Big Sandy RECC can pay up to one dollar per kilowatt-hour.

“If we have to buy expensive power during a peak, as a not-for-profit cooperative we must pass these higher costs to our members. That causes power bills to increase.”  “We’re asking members to be our partners in holding down costs by turning off all unnecessary lights or appliances during the peak period, and by delaying their use of dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and any use of hot water.”

Another important step to take include is setting thermostats 2 to 4 degrees lower than normal during this “peak” time of Friday, January 13th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. The “Beat the Peak” message will be sent to the media as a public service announcement.

“Working together with our members, we can “Beat the Peak” by using our electricity resources wisely.”  “By working together, we can hold down rising energy costs.”  David Estepp, CEO.

 

 If you have questions, please contact Bruce Aaron Davis at 606-789-4095 or toll free at 1-888-789-7322. 




Insulating and Air Sealing Equals You Saving Money!
January 5, 2012
  •  Insulate and Air Seal - Attic insulation is a good way to go for a do-it-yourselfer, because it easy to do compared to walls and floors. If doors and windows are not adequately sealed, then weather-striping should play a big part in the consumer's insulation strategy. Here's a neat trick: Move a hair dryer around the outside frames of windows and doors, and follow with a candle on the inside. If the candle flickers or goes out, you need to weather strip or caulk.



"Beat the Peak" tonight from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 4th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
January 3, 2012

Big Sandy RECC “Beat the Peak” alert PSA    Immediate Release:

Members asked to conserve power usage tonight:

From 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 4th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 

 “We’re asking all Big Sandy RECC members to voluntarily conserve or limit energy use between the hours of 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, January 4th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. when our membership will be using the greatest amount of electricity. It is during these times that our cooperative often must purchase power from the market at extremely high prices.”

During “normal” load periods, Big Sandy RECC pays only pennies per kilowatt-hour for power. However, during times of “peak” demand, Big Sandy RECC can pay up to one dollar per kilowatt-hour.

“If we have to buy expensive power during a peak, as a not-for-profit cooperative we must pass these higher costs to our members. That causes power bills to increase.”  “We’re asking members to be our partners in holding down costs by turning off all unnecessary lights or appliances during the peak period, and by delaying their use of dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and any use of hot water.”

Another important step to take include is setting thermostats 2 to 4 degrees lower than normal during this “peak” time of 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. tonight and on Wednesday, January 4th from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. The “Beat the Peak” message will be sent to the media as a public service announcement.

“Working together with our members, we can “Beat the Peak” by using our electricity resources wisely.”  “By working together, we can hold down rising energy costs.”  David Estepp, CEO.

 

 If you have questions, please contact Bruce Aaron Davis at 606-789-4095 or toll free at 1-888-789-7322. 




How$martKy Program a Hit....
December 6, 2011

How the Program Works:

Saving Money and Energy — Everyone wants to save money and energy, but families and businesses in Eastern Kentucky could save more than most. The average utility rate in the region is just a little less than the national average, but the average monthly residential bill is much higher than the national average. This suggests that Kentucky homes are less energy efficient than the housing stock nationally and have greater reliance on electricity for heating, therefore have greater potential for savings.

 

Energy Assessments — How$martKY takes the “whole-house” approach to energy efficiency, realizing that the various systems in a home — insulation, appliances, air-leakage, health & safety, and HVAC — interact to degrade or improve performance of the home. Rather than provide single-item incentives which may not make much difference, the utilities rely upon a whole-house energy-assessment to determine the best package of improvements.

 

How$martKY assessors are certified Building Analysts by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).

 

Efficiency Improvements — While a whole-house assessment is important to identifying the most efficiency combined package of improvements, there are typical improvements from which most homes could benefit.

Insulation | The recommended amount has increased in recent years, particularly for the ceiling and floor (if over a vented crawlspace/basement). Many older homes do not have sufficient insulation. Additionally, incorrectly installed insulation can greatly degrade its usefulness.

 

Air Sealing | Everyone knows that drafts can chill a room in a hurry, but houses leak air in and out at much greater amounts than most people realize. This is measured in Air Changes per Hour (ACH), which is what percentage of all the air in your home is replaced each hour by outside air — in other words, how much of the air you pay to heat or cool is lost to the outdoors each hour. Some ventilation is necessary to prevent indoor air quality issues, but most homes leak far more than is necessary. Air sealing involves caulking around windows, doors, baseboards; foaming up plumbing and wiring penetrations to the exterior; weather-stripping doors and windows; and sealing around recessed lighting fixtures.

 

Duct Sealing | Why heat or cool air if it never reaches where it is intended to go? Many HVAC systems have leaky ductwork where pieces fit together. Often-times there is no attempt at sealing and if there is, duct tape is applied. Despite its name, duct tape is not a good way to seal ductwork. For that, mastic — a rubbery compound — is the best material.

 

Heat Pump Upgrades | In moderate climates, such as Kentucky, heat pumps are often the most efficient way to heat and cool a home. An existing electric furnace, space heaters and window A/Cs, or very old heat pump may need to be replaced.

Fixed Monthly Charge — The fixed How$martKY monthly charge is a way for customers to pay for the improvements through installments rather than upfront all at once. Furthermore, the charge is calculated to never exceed the projected savings from the improvements, meaning that the customer will at least break even initially and will hedge against future rate increases.

          

 Any rebates or other sources of funds can be used to buy down the investment by the utility, reducing the amount of the monthly charge.

 

             




"Beat the Peak" Tomorrow on November 18th from 6:00 am - 9:00 am
November 17, 2011

 “We’re asking all Big Sandy RECC members to voluntarily conserve or limit energy use between the hours of 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18thwhen our membership will be using the greatest amount of electricity. It is during these times that our cooperative often must purchase power from the market at extremely high prices.”

During “normal” load periods, Big Sandy RECC pays only pennies per kilowatt-hour for power. However, during times of “peak” demand, Big Sandy RECC can pay up to one dollar per kilowatt-hour.

“If we have to buy expensive power during a peak, as a not-for-profit cooperative we must pass these higher costs to our members. That causes power bills to increase.”  “We’re asking members to be our partners in holding down costs by turning off all unnecessary lights or appliances during the peak period, and by delaying their use of dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and any use of hot water.”

Another important step to take include is setting thermostats 2 to 4 degrees higher than normal during this “peak” time of 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 18th. The “Beat the Peak” message will be sent to the media as a public service announcement.

“Working together with our members, we can “Beat the Peak” by using our electricity resources wisely.”  “By working together, we can hold down rising energy costs.”  David Estepp, CEO.

 

 If you have questions, please contact Bruce Aaron Davis at 606-789-4095 or toll free at 1-888-789-7322. 




Power Outage at Stoney Brook
October 20, 2011

The curent power outage in the Stoney Brook area is due to a broken pole. Crews are working to replace the pole and repair the line as quickly as possible. However due to the difficult location we are recommending that our membrs at Stoney Brook be prepared for an extended outage of 16 or more hours. Big Sandy RECC apologizes for the inconvenience.




6 Extra Days on November Bill
October 4, 2011

Beginning November 2011, Big Sandy RECC, will be adjusting their meter read date to the first of each month. As a result, your November 1st billing will reflect 6 extra days. This change will provide more consistency in our member's billing, as well as, Big Sandy RECC's organizational procedures.

Big Sandy RECC apologizes for any inconvenience or hardship this may cause any of our members. 




Big Sandy RECC will be closed October 10th - Columbus Day
October 3, 2011

Happy Columbus Day!




Drop off box for Big Sandy RECC members in Floyd County.
September 14, 2011

Big Sandy now has a drop off box for our members in Floyd county. It's located at the Citizens National Bank (Centre Point location). We want to make doing business with us easier.




Energy efficiency grants for Kentucky businesses.
September 14, 2011
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of awarding a minimum of $100,000 in competitive funding for energy efficiency projects to be implemented in for-profit industrial, commercial, manufacturing and warehousing facilities located in Kentucky.  

The RFP seeks energy efficiency projects with a minimum investment of $50,000 that can be initiated and completed between November 2011 and March 2012.  Special focus areas include lighting retrofits, HVAC and steam plant upgrades and water treatment facility upgrades.  

RFP documents containing more detailed information regarding this funding opportunity can be obtained on the state’s procurement website at https://emars.ky.gov/online/vss/Advantage (click on the View Solicitation heading and select Industrial Facility Retrofit Showcase, solicitation number RFP-635-1200000063).  Proposals are due no later than Sept. 30, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. ET. 




Big Sandy RECC helps local businesses save money with a one-stop-shop for B-to-B discounts.
September 8, 2011



BizConnections.coop offers help to Big Sandy RECC local businesses save money with a one-stop-shop for B-to-B discounts.  This tool provides Big Sandy RECC served businesses an opportunity for free national visibility by offering a discount of their own. 

BizConnections.coop features include:

  • Valuable B-to-B discounts on business solutions, travel,corporate gifts, wireless services, construction, office supplies, and much more.
  •  Promotion of your local businesses nationally at no cost to them.



Beat The Peak Sept 1st from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
September 1, 2011

We will be implementing the direct load program for the control of residential air conditioners and water heaters tomorrow morning, September 1, 2011, starting at 03:00 pm and ending at 07:00 pm.