It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Graham, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“ABC has been helpful on most occasions I have been in assistance. Once or”
“ABC is a great company that cares about their employees. The pay is good”
“Hi my name Amiya and I have been working for ABC for almost 4 months”
“I love working for Always Best Care! They're understanding, have a wonderful team in the”
“Great place to work!....Smart and Hard Working group of individuals!”
“Always best care is a great company. Staff and residents are always taken care of.”
“Every time I call the office the staff are very friendly. I love what”
“I been with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them”
“Always best care is the best senior care company to work for. The schedulers and”
“I've had great success with abc”
“Thank you to Ted for helping us make the adjustment to in-home care! We appreciate”
“Cindy is the perfect fit for my needs and is always kind and respectful toward”
“Stacy Blackwell is my current caregiver. She is the best ever and I am 95”
“Aliyah fits perfectly with my life style,desires and needs. Ready and able to assist me”
“Since she first helped bring my husband home from the hospital after a months’ long”
“Sam is one of the kindest most sincere owners I've met. She truly cares about”
“Happy to Service this area!”
“Great caregivers working for a great agency. Everyone wins, especially my Mom. Sometimes the caregivers”
“Incredibly responsive, caring, and professional! They treat your loved one as a unique person for”
“I can not tell you how great this company is. I called on a Tuesday”
“Always Best Care has provided great care for my dad. I'm grateful that they're available”
“Excellent Service!!”
“ABC has been helpful on most occasions I have been in assistance. Once or twice substitute caregivers have not been at all satisfactory but for most part they have. Our regular caregiver, Parecia Boynton, is superb but unfortunately has had serious health problems which have kept her from working. Our current substitute, Comswell Williams, is very good and we like her a lot. She would be a very acceptable regular if Parecia Boynton is not able to return.”
“ABC is a great company that cares about their employees. The pay is good and everyone in the office is extremely helpful. It’s easy to get time off, (just let them know 2 weeks ahead of time). We have monthly in-service & education is offered in person or via zoom. We are given the tools we need to succeed.”
“Hi my name Amiya and I have been working for ABC for almost 4 months now. I really love this job because it’s very flexible especially since I’m a full time college student. It’s really hard to find jobs like this and if you need days they don’t mind as long your attendance isn’t bad. They are also very understanding. It’s really a great job and I love helping people.”
“I love working for Always Best Care! They're understanding, have a wonderful team in the office that helps make our jobs easier as caregivers! Easy to talk to and communicate. A great atmosphere, fun activities and different things throughout different times that make the work days a little more light and fun!”
“Great place to work!....Smart and Hard Working group of individuals!”
“Always best care is a great company. Staff and residents are always taken care of. If anything is needed there willing to help.”
“Every time I call the office the staff are very friendly. I love what I do and I really enjoy it.”
“I been with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients.. i love that you can pick up more hours anytime they are available and we get a text letting us know what town ,time & whats needed done when they have open hours and clients”
“Always best care is the best senior care company to work for. The schedulers and other staff members are always helping when times need to changed or a shift needs to be changed. You can always count on ABC to get the job done.”
“I've had great success with abc”
“Thank you to Ted for helping us make the adjustment to in-home care! We appreciate your willingness to put up with some negative reactions to your companionship for Bill while I am away from home.”
“Cindy is the perfect fit for my needs and is always kind and respectful toward my husband. I could not have hand picked a better person.”
“Stacy Blackwell is my current caregiver. She is the best ever and I am 95 years old - a lot of “givers” for appraisal . Stacy is naturally effective and efficient . She regularly achieves a level of strengthening and health that evokes a confidence and optimism that I have not earlier experienced. I am now in significant part due to her professional care optimistic about my future life. I wish to continue indefinitely my care from her - please. It”
“Aliyah fits perfectly with my life style,desires and needs. Ready and able to assist me in any way that I need. I am content and satisfied with our relationship,daily tasks,chores and communication.”
“Since she first helped bring my husband home from the hospital after a months’ long stay, Talayna Turner has been helping me care for him. Talayna is an excellent listener, efficient worker, and responsible helper. She has helped witpersonal care, computer problems, grocery shopping, and his laundry. I don’t know what I would do without her cheerful presence. Thanks ABC for providing a wonderful caregiver resource in Talayna!”
“Sam is one of the kindest most sincere owners I've met. She truly cares about her clients and staff. Everyone in the office is so helpful.”
“Happy to Service this area!”
“Great caregivers working for a great agency. Everyone wins, especially my Mom. Sometimes the caregivers are taking care of me too; I always learn a new method or better way of finishing personal chores to keep Mom safe and comfortable. Best choice to use this agency over efforts to hire private caregivers. Trust and training make it a blessing to have the assistance from ABC”
“Incredibly responsive, caring, and professional! They treat your loved one as a unique person for whom they also care! We have had many experiences with home care agencies and this one is exceptional!”
“I can not tell you how great this company is. I called on a Tuesday at 4 pm because the live in care giver for my father was a "no show". Channing was amazing, caring and so supportive. By Wednesday morning she had people lined up to assist in covering my father's care. Channing also went above and beyond by contacting facilities and homes to help me look into care for my father. Let me explain that she didn't give me a number-she called them on my behalf. Channing could tell I was overwhelmed and did anything she could to help. This is a amazing team of care givers that really cares. I have loved the women they sent out to care for my father. Can't say enough!!!!! J. Wilkins.”
“Always Best Care has provided great care for my dad. I'm grateful that they're available (sometimes on short notice) and that they're so compassionate and easy to work with.”
“Excellent Service!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Graham, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Graham, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Graham, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
GRAHAM, N.C. (WGHP) — After being away for four days, Graham firefighters returned home.Many looked visibly exhausted but grateful to be embraced by their loved ones who anxiously awaited them at First Station No. 1.Since Saturday, they’ve been in Buncombe County where the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused roads to be swept away.It’s a county firefighter Daniel Holt once called home, and it is now unrecognizable.“We saw the devastation that had taken place, and the force of the water had ...
GRAHAM, N.C. (WGHP) — After being away for four days, Graham firefighters returned home.
Many looked visibly exhausted but grateful to be embraced by their loved ones who anxiously awaited them at First Station No. 1.
Since Saturday, they’ve been in Buncombe County where the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused roads to be swept away.
It’s a county firefighter Daniel Holt once called home, and it is now unrecognizable.
“We saw the devastation that had taken place, and the force of the water had pushed all these trees and this debris and had opened up the creek into a river … On a personal level, it was pretty heart-wrenching,” Holt said.
Holt worked for the Skyland Fire Department in Buncombe County prior to working for the Graham Fire Department.
Because he could navigate the area with no Wi-Fi or service, he drove Engine 10 to help first responders conduct welfare checks.
“There was one lady that we visited earlier this morning … She had no idea how bad it truly was yet. All she knew was that her driveway was washed out. She had no idea that their were towns that were completely destroyed,” Holt said.
Graham Fire Chief Tommy Cole sent crews to Buncombe County to help fire stations who were so stretched thin that they had to choose which calls to respond to.
“We all work in communities, and we know the people, and we interact with people in these communities every day. I don’t know how you can process how you decide who you’re going to rescue and who you’re not going to rescue. That’s just not how we operate on a day to day,” Cole said.
Cole says he’s rotating four firefighters to Buncombe County every four days, and they won’t stop until the people of western North Carolina are back on their feet.
“There is a lot of devastation … Those people are going to be building for months and years and probably decades to come. The infrastructure that has been damaged is unreal. Just be praying for them … Any way that you can support them, do it,” Colt said.
The GFD deployed a crew of four firefighters up to Buncombe County Tuesday morning in Car 20.
Why you can trust EnergySageThe data on this page comes from real solar quotes to real solar shoppers on the EnergySage Marketplace. We give you access to transparent information so you can confidently make informed energy decisions. Learn more about how our Marketplace works and how we make money.On average, Graham, NC residents spend about $204 per month on electricity. That adds up to $2,448 ...
The data on this page comes from real solar quotes to real solar shoppers on the EnergySage Marketplace. We give you access to transparent information so you can confidently make informed energy decisions. Learn more about how our Marketplace works and how we make money.
On average, Graham, NC residents spend about $204 per month on electricity. That adds up to $2,448 per year.
That’s 12% lower than the national average electric bill of $2,796. The average electric rates in Graham, NC cost 15 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh), so that means that the average electricity customer in Graham, NC is using 1,386.00 kWh of electricity per month, and 16632 kWh over the course of the year.
This data is aggregated over the past 6 months.
Solar saves you money by reducing or eliminating your monthly electric bill. The amount that you can save with solar in Graham, NC is based on two factors: how much you spend on electricity now and how much of your electric bill you can offset with solar.
Based on the intensity and amount of sunlight hours in Graham, NC, the average electricity customer in Graham, NC will need a 11.6 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system to offset 100% of their annual electricity consumption of 16632 kWh per year. On the EnergySage Marketplace, solar shoppers in Graham, NC pay an average of $31,000 for a 11.6 kW solar panel system prior to incentives.
The savings from offsetting 100% of an electric bill with solar can add up fast! Assuming an 1.9% annual increase in electricity prices and that you install your system with a $0-down loan, you can expect to save $2,500 in your first year, $12,700 over five years, $26,700 over 10 years, and $59,000 over 20 years on electric bills in Graham, NC. Over your system’s lifetime you’ll save more by financing your solar system with a cash purchase, but you won’t start saving in year one. Learn more about how to finance your solar panel system.
Monthly electric bills are a product of how much electricity you use per month and your electric rate. In Graham, NC, the average monthly electric bill for residential customers is $204/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate: 1,386.00 kWh * 15 ¢/kWh.
Electric bills are designed to cover all of the costs of producing the electricity that you use, of running and maintaining the electrical grid to help prevent outages, and of any public benefit funds that promote things like renewable energy and energy efficiency. These costs are rolled into both fixed charges (i.e., monthly customer charges) and variable charges (i.e., ¢/kWh that you use). While fixed charges will remain the same from month to month, the portion of variable charges on your bill each month will change based on how much electricity you use. As a result, there are two ways to reduce your bills: by either using less electricity or by reducing the cost of electricity, by installing solar for instance.
The easiest way to compare the cost of electricity from one region to another is to look at the electricity rate. Residential rates in the U.S. range from 6 ¢/kWh to 71 ¢/kWh depending upon where you live, what types of power plants provide your electricity, and when during the day or year you’re consuming electricity.
The average residential electricity rate in Graham, NC is 15 ¢/kWh, which is 9% higher than the average electricity rate in North Carolina of 13.48 ¢/kWh. The average residential electricity rate in Graham, NC is 21% lower than the national average rate of 19 ¢/kWh.
Solar panel systems help you save money by reducing your monthly electric bills. Although a $50 or $100 electric bill might not seem like much when you pay it each month, those bills add up quickly over ten, twenty or even thirty years: if you pay $100 per month in electricity now, you’ll pay over $48,000 on electricity over the next thirty years!
| EXISTING ELECTRIC BILL | 10 YEAR COST | 20 YEAR COST | 30 YEAR COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $6,500 | $14,000 | $24,000 |
| $100 | $13,000 | $29,000 | $48,000 |
| $150 | $20,000 | $43,000 | $72,000 |
| $200 | $26,000 | $58,000 | $96,000 |
| $250 | $33,000 | $72,000 | $120,000 |
Assuming a 1.9% annual increase based on inflation and average annual electric rate increases.
Installing solar allows you to reduce or even eliminate your electric bill: when you pay upfront for solar panels, you are effectively paying today for the electricity you’ll use over the next 25 or even 30 years. Calculating your savings from investing in solar is as simple as subtracting the amount you pay for solar from what you would have paid for electricity otherwise.
We know electric bills add up over time, and going solar is a great way to save money while helping the environment. When you sign up on the EnergySage Marketplace, you'll be able to receive and compare solar quotes side-by-side from qualified solar installers in your area. We're here to help along the way - talk with one of our Energy Advisors to learn more about your unique quotes, any local solar incentives you may be eligible for, or any other questions about saving on electric bills with solar.
In 2022, the average solar payback period in Graham is about 13.14 years – this is the point in time at which your solar investment will start to earn you money.
In most cases, you will still have an electric bill with solar. Even if your solar system offsets 100 percent of your electricity use, as long as your property remains grid-connected, your utility will still send you a bill. However, it’s possible that your bill will be $0 or even negative if your electricity supply to the grid is more than you pull (depending on the incentives available in your location).
In most cases, your monthly payment towards your solar loan will be less than your electric bill – this means that if you install a solar system with a $0-down loan, you can start saving immediately! However, you’ll still pay more over the lifetime of your system with a solar loan compared to an upfront cash payment due to the interest that accrues.
If you live in an area with retail energy providers (REPs), you may choose to switch from your standard electricity utility to a REP. There are two main options for REP contracts: fixed and variable rates. If you choose a fixed-rate plan, you’ll pay a fixed price per kWh that will remain throughout the duration of your contract. On the other hand, if you choose a variable rate plan, the rate you pay for energy will fluctuate based on the wholesale price of electricity from your energy company, which represents how much power plants charge electric companies to buy the electricity they produce.
If you’re on a demand charge electric rate, your electric bill will be based on the maximum amount of power you use over a single time period (like an hour or fifteen minute period) in a given month. You’ll still be billed for your monthly consumption, but the rate you owe for consumption will be low compared to a typical electric bill; thus, the best way to reduce the amount you owe each month is to decrease the amount of electricity you use all at once – like by installing a solar or solar-plus-storage system.
Time-of-use electric rates are an electricity plan designed to incentivize you to use less electricity when the cost of generation is high. Time-of-use rates follow a set schedule, resulting in your electricity provider charging you more for your electricity consumption when the cost of generation and demand for electricity are high (i.e., the afternoon of a hot summer day) and less when both of these are low (i.e., in the middle of the night). You can save money in two ways: by being thoughtful about when you’re running certain appliances and waiting for off-peak times when cheap electricity is available, and by installing a solar battery to reduce the amount of electricity you pull from the grid when rates are high.
When your solar panels are producing more electricity than you’re consuming, you can use that excess energy to charge your solar battery. Now let’s say your electricity usage is more than your panels are able to produce when electric rates are surging – with a solar battery, you can choose to use the energy you’ve stored rather than pull from the grid, protecting you from surge rates and high energy costs, and getting you the best electric rate possible.
Edward Graham is the Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan's Purse. His group has spent weeks helping in the place the Grahams have called home for decades.More VideosGREENSBORO, N.C. — The Graham family name has deep ties in the North Carolina mountains. The late Rev. Billy Graham spent decades in Montreat. His son Franklin was born in Asheville, and his grandson Edward lives in Boone.Franklin and Edward carry on the reverend's mission across the globe through Samaritan's Purse. The Boone-based organization deplo...
Edward Graham is the Chief Operating Officer of Samaritan's Purse. His group has spent weeks helping in the place the Grahams have called home for decades.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Graham family name has deep ties in the North Carolina mountains. The late Rev. Billy Graham spent decades in Montreat. His son Franklin was born in Asheville, and his grandson Edward lives in Boone.
Franklin and Edward carry on the reverend's mission across the globe through Samaritan's Purse. The Boone-based organization deploys to disasters worldwide.
When Helene ripped apart Western North Carolina, the group's deployment meant staying home.
"I've been all over the world serving in disasters and here in the country," Edward Graham, COO of Samaritan's Purse, said. "This one is personal just because I have memories."
Graham recalled trips traveling to Mitchell, Yancey and Bat Cave. It hurt him to know his children might not get the same experience.
"They may not have those memories, and so they'll only know what it looks like after the fact," Graham said. "That's the hard part."
Graham is no stranger to disasters. He spent 16 years serving in the US Army. His work with Samaritan's Purse takes him to catastrophes around the globe.
"This is like nothing I've ever seen," Graham said. "I've been in war, you know. I spent years in conflict, but as I travel to different disasters, the damage that this water and this wind and these landslides, what it did is just indescribable."
Parts of the North Carolina mountains are unrecognizable. There's no telling when they could return to form.
Samaritan's Purse has thousands of volunteers on the ground. Some of them are among the storm victims. Graham said some of his staff lost their homes.
"They're doing it with a smile, and I don't know how they do it," Graham said. "Only from the hope, I think, that the Lord provides."
Samaritan's Purse said it is currently deploying the largest civilian aircraft mission in American history. The group has completed more than 200 flights to the mountains to drop off much-needed relief supplies. About 10,000 volunteers have contributed to the effort.
The heartache in Western North Carolina is obvious. Graham said he met a woman who had just lost her home. When she saw him, she broke down into tears.
"We do it because we love them," Graham said. "More importantly, we know we want them to know that God hasn't forgotten them. He's got a plan for them."
Graham said the needs of the mountains shift with each passing day. At first, reliefs efforts called for food and water. As the chill of fall coats Western North Carolina, Samaritan's Purse has focused its efforts on helping people without power or heat.
"Samaritan's Purse isn't gonna go anywhere until the job's done," Graham said.
He said all donations are needed and appreciated. If someone can't give, he said everyone needs a prayer.
Alamance County resident and former NCCU football player Donavon Harbison says Duke's medical innovation is the reason he's still here.DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Doctors at Duke University Hospital have played a key role in a remarkable medical breakthrough. Donavon Harbison, an Alamance County resident diagnosed with heart failure, recently became the second person in the world to receive a total artificial heart. The device allowed him to regain enough strength to successfully undergo a heart transplant,Harbison, an education con...
Alamance County resident and former NCCU football player Donavon Harbison says Duke's medical innovation is the reason he's still here.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Doctors at Duke University Hospital have played a key role in a remarkable medical breakthrough. Donavon Harbison, an Alamance County resident diagnosed with heart failure, recently became the second person in the world to receive a total artificial heart. The device allowed him to regain enough strength to successfully undergo a heart transplant,
Harbison, an education consultant from Graham became part of a clinical trial at Duke in August. He had his heart removed and replaced with a BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH), which circulated his blood while he awaited a donor's heart.
"Duke Health is the reason I'm still here," Harbison said.
At 34, Harbison, an active father of three with a fourth child on the way, was diagnosed with heart failure in January. A former offensive lineman at North Carolina Central University, Harbison's condition was traced to a gene mutation that prevented his body from producing the protein necessary for his heart to beat.
"I was told by my doctors, 'when things get bad for you, it's going to get bad really fast,'" Harbison said.
And they did.
"It was shocking," said his wife, Lindsey Harbison.
Dr. Adam DeVore, a Duke transplant cardiologist, praised Harbison's bravery.
"He continued to get sicker and sicker, but BiVACOR is a total artificial heart that incorporates new technology. It replaces all four chambers of the heart and provides strong support, enough to keep him healthy while waiting for a transplant," DeVore said. "He was able to get up and walk around. He was giving his organs enough support, and he felt much better."
Harbison's condition stabilized, and after 10 days with the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, he received a donor heart and a second chance at life.
"I want to thank the family who honored the donor's wishes," Harbison said. "I am beyond grateful. No one deserves a second chance at life, but I got one. I encourage others to become organ donors."
DeVore said successfully putting the device into humans is a big leap forward.
"I think the message to patients and families today who are dealing with heart failure is that there are new technologies coming out all the time," DeVore said. "And you know there are places that are trying to innovate and invest in these programs. We're one of those. And you know, we want to be able to offer this therapy and transplant therapy to as many patients in need as we can."
The BiVACOR device has been implanted in four patients nationwide, with the fourth procedure occurring Tuesday in Cincinnati. Duke doctors said they are close to performing the procedure on a fifth patient soon. The first such procedure was performed in Texas.
"Now, I'm looking forward to getting back to making memories with my family, my kids, my wife, just doing the things you often do and take for granted, like putting my kids to bed at night," Harbison said.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – “Morgan, this is a this is a tough one. This is one of the worst disasters we have seen,” says Rev. Franklin Graham. Graham talked with only WCCB on Friday about what he is experiencing at his own home, in the aftermath of Helene. He says, “(There are) many people are without power. I’m one of them. We don’t have, my wife and I, don’t have power at our house. We’ve got a generator, but we can only run it for a couple of hours a day.”His organization, Samaritan&rsq...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – “Morgan, this is a this is a tough one. This is one of the worst disasters we have seen,” says Rev. Franklin Graham. Graham talked with only WCCB on Friday about what he is experiencing at his own home, in the aftermath of Helene. He says, “(There are) many people are without power. I’m one of them. We don’t have, my wife and I, don’t have power at our house. We’ve got a generator, but we can only run it for a couple of hours a day.”
His organization, Samaritan’s Purse, is on the ground in western North Carolina, setting up mobile hospitals, clearing fallen trees, cleaning up debris and delivering supplies, including much needed Benadryl. Graham says, “And you say, ‘why do you need Benadryl?’ Because of the flooding. It has washed bee’s nests up. And in some places, it’s just covered in bees and people are getting stung.”
Reverend Graham tells us that helicopters from Samaritan’s Purse, from private citizens and from other agencies have made a huge difference in the ability to get into places that vehicles cannot. He says, “The helicopters are no question, this has been a huge game changer.”
WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty asked, “Reverend, how would you say the different organizations are working together? And you as a leader, not only in the state but across the country, are you able to reach out to the government agencies to help attract attention? Graham replied, “Oh, yeah. No question. We work with FEMA. We work with the local emergency management and each area. No question. You have to work with them. And these are good people. They’re working hard. And it’s really tough on everybody and what’s happened. More people are beginning to get tired and they haven’t had rest. People are working, you can’t say 24/seven, but there are people that have worked for two days straight without sleep and they’re just kind of…I don’t see how they can even stand up.”
Reverend Graham is asking for prayers, for the victims and for the workers. He says, “Think of the DOT, the amount of pressure that’s on them to get the roads infrastructure back up. This is huge task. We need to be praying for these men and women.”
Graham is also asking for volunteers, especially this weekend in Asheville. He says, “I would just say we need help. No question, Morgan, and I don’t want to discourage anybody. We need volunteers. We need an army of volunteers in the Asheville area. Asheville was cut off.”
Reverend Graham recommends calling Samaritan’s Purse or the Billy Graham Training Center to see what supplies are needed before gathering donations. If you can’t volunteer or bring supplies, he says financial help is also needed.
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