Santee Electric’s H2O Select water heater program pays you to stay in hot water. Any Santee Electric member buying an approved large capacity water heater is eligible to receive a $200 rebate through this program!

How Can We Make This Offer?

A large capacity H2O Select water heater provides plenty of hot water - efficiently and conveniently. And when you heat your water efficiently, that saves Santee Electric money ... and we pass the savings on to you.

How Easy Is Qualifying For H2O Select?

To qualify for H2O Select, just purchase and install a new large capacity electric water heater that meets co-op approval. We’ll then inspect your new system and issue you a check. It’s that simple. Water heaters with built-in energy monitoring systems will not qualify.

What are My H2O Select options?

1. Replace your existing water heater(s) with a new large capacity electric water heater. We give you a $200 rebate.

2. New home: Install a new large capacity electric water heater(s). We give you a $200 rebate.

3. Spec built home: Install a new large capacity water heater(s). We give $100 to the contractor and $100 to you.

Note: All water heaters must meet minimum efficiency standards. Santee Electric can tell you if your existing system does.

H2O Select Program Requirements 

Water heaters with built-in energy monitoring systems will not qualify.

1.The water heater system must have a minimum capacity of 50 gallons and meet ASHRAE standard 90 of efficiency or National Appliance Efficiency Standard.

2. Water heater must have dual heating elements. (Not to exceed 4500 watts per heating element.)

3. The installation of the new water heating equipment must comply with Santee Electric Cooperative’s plumbing and electrical specifications: POWER LEADS MUST BE 240 VOLT, 10 GAUGE, THREE WIRE GROUND AND BE PROTECTED BY A DOUBLE 30 AMP BREAKER.

4. A load management device, installed by Santee Electric, is required to receive $200 rebate and 3 year free maintenance agreement.

5. The consumer grants Santee Electric Cooperative the right to suspend monthly maintenance and recoup all previous incentives should the consumer disconnect or manipulate the load management device for any reason.

6.The new water heater shall be located so that the cover panels for controls and heating elements are easily accessible.

7. Cut-off valve must be installed on cold water line at the water heater.

8. Only one rebate per household.

9. Santee Electric Cooperative does not warrant the continuous operation of the water heating equipment or load management device. Should the device fail, Santee Electric Cooperative will assume responsibility of replacing the device within a reasonable period of time.

Choosing The Right Tank

Your Santee Electric representative will help you evaluate your hot water needs based on your home size and family size and will recommend a water heater that best suits your needs. You get the right amount of hot water storage by using a single, large-capacity tank or by linking two tanks. Your Santee Electric representative will recommend the most cost-effective option, but the following general rules apply:

• 50-gallon size for 1-2 people

• 60-gallon size for 2-3 people

• 80-gallon size for 4 or more people

How To Cash In On H2O Select 

1. Contact the Santee Electric office and ask to speak with an H2O Select representative.

2. Agree to participate in the H2O Select program, using the option and tank size recommended by Santee Electric.

3. Contact someone to install your new water heating system, or do it yourself (remembering to keep within all applicable plumbing and electrical codes).

4. Let us know when your water heating system is installed. We will then inspect the system and issue a check to you.

You can protect your home or business and make it more attractive with Illuma Knight™ security lighting.

Illuma Knight lighting fixtures operate automatically from dusk to dawn to deter vandalism, burglaries, and other crimes, even while you are away. They also make play areas safer for children and let you stay outside longer to enjoy outdoor activities.

Santee Electric will furnish, install, operate and maintain your lighting equipment. In most cases, you pay no up-front charge for installation. We simply add a fixed fee to your electric bill, so you know exactly how much to pay each month.

Illuma Knight lights come in several styles for many different applications, from residential driveways and yards to commercial parking lots and walkways. Contact our Member Services Department to find out how you can find peace of mind with Illuma Knight.

Introducing GreenPower from Santee Cooper and Santee Electric Cooperative.

Green Power has arrived with South Carolina's first source of renewable power generation now open for business. Generated by Santee Cooper and distributed by Santee Electric Cooperative, South Carolina's Green Power plant will collect methane gas from the Horry County Solid Waste Authority Landfill and the Lee County Landfill SC, LLC. There, the methane gases that would normally be released into the atmosphere-gases that possibly contribute to global warming-will be used as "green power" fuel.

The green power plant generates 8.7 megawatts of electricity which reduces enough methane emissions to be the environmental equivalent of planting more than 47,000 acres of trees. Green Power is something we can all live with. By participating in the Green Power program, you can help ensure its success now and into the future.

Sign Up Now!

If you need to apply for a residential account: download the account application OR use our online application.

If you need to apply for a commercial account: download the account application OR use our online application.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who should I contact for more information?
Contact our Member Services Department. We will answer any questions that you might have.

How much will my total electricity service cost including utility charges?
Based on a monthly average usage of 1,000 kWh, and purchase of one 100 kWh block of Green Power, the following table provides you an estimate of your 2004 monthly electric bill if you receive service from Santee Electric Cooperative as a Residential Customer (Rate 4) and the extra monthly cost for Green Power. Your actual bill will vary based on your use of electricity.

2009 monthly electricity cost: $80.70 + GreenPower premium: $3 = Total: $83.70

Will my electricity rates change over time?
Rates are set by Santee Electric's Board of Directors and are subject to change in the future.

To sign up for SEC's Community Solar, please fill out the Online form here or the Printable form here.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS COMMUNITY SOLAR?

Solar communities are groups of solar panels installed at one location. They offer you a solar energy option. This means you get a credit on your bill for the solar energy generated without needing to have equipment attached to your home.

HOW DOES COMMUNITY SOLAR WORK?

You subscribe to the output from the co-op’s Community Solar site for a 20 year period. Choose the number of blocks you would like. You can add more blocks at any time, as long as they are available.

Once energy production begins, each month you will receive credit for a portion of the production from the Community Solar farm, based on the number of blocks  you have chosen.

You pay a portion of the cost per block upfront, and the remainder of the cost is paid in a monthly charge. The output of those blocks is credited back to you on a     cents-per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis. You pay a one-time fee to cover administrative costs.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Any member may apply and participate in the  Community Solar program will be at the cooperative's discretion.

AM I BUYING A PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY SOLAR FARM OR JUST THE ENERGY FROM IT?

You are subscribing to the energy produced by the solar farm in blocks of kWh.

ARE THERE PARTICIPATION TERM LIMITS?

The overall program term is 20 years. The minimum term participation is 2 years, and requires a 30-day notice of cancellation.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW MANY BLOCKS I CAN CHOOSE?

The minimum subscription is 1 block. The maximum subscription for residential members is 5 blocks.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRODUCTION PER YEAR?

Our first Community Solar array will produce approximately 130 KW or 19,500 kWh per month, which  is roughly equivalent to the energy used by 16 average homes in our service area. It is important to note that solar production will vary from month to month based on weather and time of year.

HOW DOES THIS COST OF COMMUNITY SOLAR COMPARE TO INSTALLING A SOLAR POWER SYSTEM ON MY HOUSE?

While the cost of installing solar panels on your home varies greatly from house to house, the pricing for our Community Solar program is in line with the average cost of putting solar panels on the home — without having equipment installed on your property.

IF MY SOLAR SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCES MORE ENERGY THAN I USE, DOES THE CO-OP BUY IT BACK?

If your subscription produces more energy than your home consumes in one month, the extra solar energy goes into a “bank” on your account that will be used in the next month or months.

HOW DO SOLAR TAX CREDITS WORK?

Applicable tax credits are figured into the Community Solar program pricing.

WHAT IF THERE IS STORM DAMAGE TO THE COMMUNITY SOLAR FARM?

If the Community Solar arrays are damaged during a storm, you will receive a proportionate share

of the energy produced by any non-damaged panels while repairs are made.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MOVE?

If you move to another home served by the

co-op, the solar energy subscription moves with you. If a you move out of the co-op’s service area, the subscription can remain at the current location or be re-marketed by the co-op. However, the upfront charge paid when beginning the program is not refundable.

Disclaimer: This is a general description of the Community Solar program, but the terms of the program are governed solely and exclusively by the Subscription Agreement you will sign if you choose to participate in the program.