It's What We Do


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Co-op News HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

It’s What We Do BOA R D O F D IR E CTO RS

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO DEBRA A. COLE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015, much of our service area was hit

with devastating tornadoes. Even though it was during the Christmas holiday, our staff never missed a beat when it came to stepping up to the plate and taking care of our members. Many left their family celebrations to report to the office to “do what they do best”—and that is serving our membership. I want to take this time to recognize the HILCO Electric Cooperative staff as a whole and acknowledge what a great job they do in critical situations, and I want to give a heart-filled thank you to our linemen and operations crew. These men and women go above and beyond without ever giving it a second thought. They miss countless family functions because of their dedication to HILCO and providing the most reliable service possible. When our northern area was hit with these storms and many of our members suffered the loss of their homes or damage to their homes, our crews just wanted to help, and that is what they did. Not only did they work with perseverance to restore the service, but they also helped people with their generators, assisted stranded storm victims and provided as much comfort as they could to those affected. If you ask any of our linemen why they push themselves so hard, I feel certain the answer would be, “It’s what we do.” And HILCO is blessed with a crew that can do it as well or even better than most. When we ask them if they need a break, the general reply is, “No, we have one more house/line we can get back on soon, so we want to finish.” That, my friends, is dedication. If your power goes off during a spring storm, please remember and ask for safety for this group of men and women who put their time on the back burner to make sure our members are taken care of in a timely manner.

Joseph Tedesco, President, District 4 Bill Allen, Vice President, District 5 Janet Smith, Secretary-Treasurer, District 7 Leroy Huff, District 1 Margaret Hill, District 2 George Thiess, District 6 Ron Roberts, District 3

Operating in Dallas, Ellis, Hill, Johnson and McLennan counties

G E NE R A L M A NAG E R A ND CE O

Debra A. Cole

COOPERATIVE OFFICES Itasca Headquarters 115 E. Main St. • P.O. Box 127 Itasca, Texas 76055 (254) 687-2331 1-800-338-6425 Midlothian 300A Silken Crossing Midlothian, Texas 76065 (972) 723-2900 Whitney 4581 FM 933 Whitney, Texas 76692 (254) 694-5237 1-888-850-6551

CONTACT US For information during office hours and outages after hours: CALL US

(254) 687-2331 local or 1-800-338-6425 toll-free EMAIL

[email protected] FIND US ON THE WEB

hilco.coop HILCO linemen—always ready to serve members under any and all circumstances.

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Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC March 2016

hilco.coop

1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP MARCH

Bulletin March 3

Hillsboro Chamber Banquet, Hillsboro

March 13

Daylight saving time

March 19

From left, HILCO first-class linemen Clayton Thompson and Michael Grisham

Linemen Leave for Haiti TWO HILCO ELECTRIC LINEMEN WILL TRAVEL TO CARACOL, HAITI, for a three-week stint

to help electrify rural areas of northern Haiti. First-class linemen Clayton Thompson and Michael Grisham volunteered for the opportunity through NRECA International, an organization dedicated to bringing safe, affordable and reliable electricity to families in developing countries. The two will join linemen from other cooperatives and use their skills to help upgrade and build the infrastructure necessary to provide electricity for cooperative members in northern Haiti. The international program has been sending resources overseas to provide electricity in impoverished areas for more than 50 years now, but this is the first time HILCO Electric Cooperative’s own linemen have stepped up to join the cause. NRECA International is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the mission of bringing electricity to the world, one village at a time. The organization is supported solely through donations, with more than 300 cooperatives and other private organizations contributing time, money, materials and skills to the projects.

Spring Lawn & Garden Expo, Waxahachie. Waxahachie Civic Center Visit ecmga.com for more info.

March 25

Good Friday—HILCO offices will be closed.

March 30-31

HILCO Recycle Event, Itasca 8 a.m.–4 p.m., 115 E. Main St., Itasca

HILCO EC WISHES YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES A BLESSED

EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 27

BILLING SCHEDULE Payments are due by close of business at 5 p.m. on the due date. CYCLE 1

Save the Date HILCO Electric Cooperative Southern Member Appreciation Picnic Thursday, April 28 Look for your registration card in the April issue.

hilco.coop

Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 1 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 17

CYCLE 2

Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 8 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 24

CYCLE 3 Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 15 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31

CYCLE 13 Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 16 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31

CYCLE 4 Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 22 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 7

Co-op Power March 2016 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

HILCO Is There After the Storm Hard work under harsh conditions pays off as HILCO linemen work together to tackle tornado-ravaged area ON THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, while most homes were finally settling down from all the friends and family who came to celebrate the holidays, a good portion of HILCO members were left trying to put together the pieces after the damage caused by an EF3 tornado that swept across their area. The springlike storm that spawned the tornado caused damage reminiscent of that seen in April and May 2015, which left more than 7,000 members without power and caused extensive damage to HILCO lines. As members were calling in outages to the cooperative, HILCO linemen and staff were already in place to begin restoration efforts, and crews did not stop until all power that could be safely turned on was restored. Crews worked

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Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC March 2016

tirelessly in inhospitable conditions to provide the service our members deserve. 4603706300 It’s never easy to ask employees to leave their families during the holidays, but when the co-op family calls, our employees are always quick to respond. This is the second time in less than a year that the strength and endurance of HILCO staff and crews have been put to the test, and not once did they falter. Thank you to our members for your patience and support as we worked to restore your power. We know what an incredible inconvenience it is not to have electricity, and we appreciate your understanding for what it takes to restore service after massive damage such as was left by this storm. hilco.coop

1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP

Outage mapping technology is helping cooperatives and their members better manage power outages.

Outage Maps Keep You Informed COOPERATIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY use a powerful tool to aid power restoration and keep you informed during an outage. Outage maps are just what they sound like: a graphical representation of a power outage displayed on a map of your electric co-op’s service area. The typical map shows where the outage is and, depending upon the system’s capability, includes information such as the number of members without power, locations of crews (or their estimated time of arrival) and expected time of restoration. Behind the map is a sophisticated system that provides the data needed to populate the graphic. This technology is considered to be part of the smart grid because it improves control, reduces outage length, increases reliability and provides information to employees, co-op members and the public. Maintaining an accurate outage map starts with devices on the co-op’s lines that can report their status to the cooperative, meaning that they can report whether there is power at the meter. This data flows back over the power lines to a computer at the co-op. There it is analyzed, and the results are presented to the engineering and operations team for action. Here’s an example: Something causes a fault in the lines that blows a fuse or trips a circuit breaker. The cause could be a gust of wind dropping a branch on a line; a furry critter deciding the brush around the transformer looks like dinner; or a car hitting a utility pole. Regardless of the cause, the power is now out for a number of members. The piece of equipment nearest the fault signals that it cannot see anything down the line—or that it has “tripped.” A program now runs to determine the extent of the outage. It collects information from other devices to determine where hilco.coop

the flow of power stops. Once it has completed its detective work, the system generates a map showing the extent of the outage. (When the need arises, co-op employees can operate the program rather than waiting for the computer.) Because of the power of the information contained in these maps, co-ops are making them available via the Internet. Members can consult the map online rather than waiting in a telephone queue to learn about their power outage from a member service representative. They can check to see if the co-op knows whether their power is out and when the co-op expects it to be restored—all with the click of a button! Many people have asked how they can access the Internet if their power is out. There are a couple of ways to do this. The first is via a smartphone or cell-enabled tablet. Another is to ask a friend or family member who has power to check for you. Or head to a place with power and computers, such as a library or Internet café. There are many ways you can access crucial information during an outage and keep yourself informed on the status of your service. Knowledge is power, and when it comes to outages, knowledge is also a comfort because it can tell you when the lights (and the heat, and the TV) are likely to come back on. With this knowledge, you can take the steps necessary to protect your family and your property. Outage maps are a great example of how co-ops work to keep members informed about their service. HILCO Electric Cooperative provides outage information as part of our ongoing efforts to provide the highest quality of service at the lowest possible cost. Visit hilco.coop for more information. This is just another benefit of being a co-op member. Co-op Power March 2016 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Top 5 Energy Users in Your Home A starting point for savings ALTHOUGH MOST HOMEOWNERS would like to be more energy efficient and save money, the effort feels overwhelming because many people don’t know where to start. How can the average family use less energy, lower their utility bill and still meet their daily energy needs? To get started, it is useful to identify the top energy users in your home. The top five energy users in U.S. homes are, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration:

Together, these five constitute almost half the American homeowner’s energy bill every month. By adjusting household habits around each energy user, you can start conserving electricity and saving money.

Adjust the Temperature Combined, home heating and cooling use the most energy and take the biggest bite out of your energy budget. You can achieve at least 10 percent savings by taking a few simple, low-cost steps. a During cold weather, set your thermostat to 68 degrees. a During warm weather, set it to 78 degrees. a Clean the filters of your HVAC system to cut costs between 5 and 15 percent. a Clean refrigerator and electric baseboard heater coils to maintain maximum efficiency. a Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors to prevent indoor air from escaping to the outdoors. No matter what the climate or time of year, proper use of a programmable thermostat can save you 10 percent on your monthly utility bill.

Shine the Light on Savings Take a fresh look at the lighting in your home. If you still use incandescent lighting, your lightbulbs are operating at only 25 percent energy efficiency. Replacing your home’s five most frequently used bulbs with Energy Star-certified light-emitting diodes can save you $75 per year. Another easy way to save is to always turn lights off in rooms that are not being used. 24

Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC March 2016

Changing home energy use habits can help save money.

AN KN E T | ISTOCK.COM

1. Space cooling—13 percent 2. Lighting—11 percent 3. Space heating—9 percent 4. Water heating—9 percent 5. Refrigeration—7 percent

Water-Heating Efficiency Just as it is energy-wise to insulate your roof, walls or floors, it also pays to wrap your water heater with an insulating blanket. Doing this is all the more critical if you have an older unit. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For additional efficiency and savings, insulate exposed hot water lines and drain 1–2 gallons of water from the bottom of your tank annually to prevent sediment buildup.

Cold Cash Back in Your Wallet If your refrigerator was purchased before 2001, chances are it uses 40 percent more energy than a new model. If you are considering an appliance update, a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator uses at least 15 percent less energy than noncertified models and 20 percent less energy than required by federal standards. Regardless of the age of your fridge, there are additional steps you can take to save energy and money. For example, don’t keep your refrigerator too cold. The Department of Energy recommends temperatures of 35–38 degrees for the refrigeration compartments and zero degrees for freezers. By understanding how your home uses energy, you can determine the best ways to modify energy use and keep more money in your wallet. For additional ways to save, contact HILCO Electric Cooperative’s energy experts at 1-800-3386425 or visit hilco.coop. hilco.coop

1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP

Win a $50 Bill Credit! As you’re reading your Texas Co-op Power, look for the “hidden” account TEXAS INDEPENDENCE number in the local HILCO pages in the center of the magazine. If it’s YOUR electric account number, call us before the end of March— you have won a $50 credit on your HILCO electric bill! LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERAT IVE EDITION Border Radio Pecos Wall of

Water

MARCH 2016 Eggs: Plain and Fancy

COU RTE SY GE

Washington-on-theBrazos celebrates birth of the Repub lic

Today’s efficient dishwashers save energy and money compared to washing dishes by hand.

Dishwashers Clean for Less

(254) 687-2331 or 1-800-338-6425

IT’S A QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED FOR YEARS: Which is “greener”—using a dish-

washer or washing dishes by hand? Which method uses less energy and less water? Now, it seems, we have a definitive answer: Updated regulation combined with solid design have made appliances significantly better over the years, to the point where there’s no longer a question. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy notes: Studies are showing more and more that, when used to maximize energy-saving features, modern dishwashers can outperform all but the most frugal hand washers. Since 2013, all dishwashers have been required to use fewer than 5 gallons of water during a full cycle. Energy Star-certified dishwashers perform even better, using 4.25 gallons maximum and fewer than 295 kilowatt-hours per year in average usage, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers 215 cycles per year. People often prerinse dishes, which uses a lot of water on top of what the dishwasher uses, skewing the numbers in favor of the sink. However, you don’t really have to do that anymore—dishwashers are good enough that you can just scrape off the food and let the machine do the rest. The machines even have soil detectors to ensure that they get it all. There are other bells and whistles that make dishwashers even more efficient. They have preheaters that boost the water temperature to up to 140 degrees to sanitize them, which lets you turn down the temperature of your household water heater to 120 degrees. They also have timers that let you set the appliance to turn on at a later time when the power rates are lower, and they often have no-heat, air-dry cycles, although some users complain that this causes spotting. In the end, there appears to be a consensus that dishwashers today do a better job using a lot less water and energy than a person doing dishes by hand. It’s one laborsaving appliance that does a better job than you can. hilco.coop

Power Tip Consider purchasing rechargeable batteries—and an Energy Star charger for them—which are more cost-effective than disposable batteries. In the U.S. alone, the use of more energy-efficient battery chargers could save families more than $170 million annually. BROWN DOGSTU DIOS | ISTOCK.COM

Co-op Power March 2016 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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RECYCLE

HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Your Old Electronics!

March 30–31

Drop off your unwanted electronic items March 30–31, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. At HILCO EC’s Itasca location ONLY, 115 E. Main St.

Two days only!

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Acceptable Items

Not Acceptable

• Computers—CPUs and laptops • Computer accessories • Computer monitors • Televisions/cable boxes/DVRs • Printers • DVD/CD players • Copiers/fax machines • Typewriters • Telephones/answering machines • Cellphones/chargers • GPS units/scanners • Pagers • PDAs • Tablets • MP3 players • External hard drives • Radios and boomboxes • Video and camera equipment • Video game systems • Cables, wires, power cords, power strips • Microwave ovens

• Yard equipment • Gas-powered equipment • Water coolers • Paper shredders • Propane tanks • Space heaters • Household appliances • Smoke detectors • CRT tubes without cases • Lightbulbs—CFL or fluorescent • Freon (refrigerator and air conditioner) • Loose batteries • Wooden speakers • Ceramic and glass lamps • Christmas trees and lights • Crock-Pots/slow cookers • Electric blankets • Fire extinguishers • Exercise equipment • Garbage disposals

Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC March 2016

hilco.coop

1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP

FACES OF HILCO Meet the People Who Work for You Shane Rogers has always made safety on the job a priority, and in 2012 he was asked to bring that attitude and expertise to the co-op’s safety department. As the safety and loss control supervisor, Shane works hard to ensure that employees stay safe and go home to their families each day, and he works to keep members and the general public informed of safety measures to take when dealing with electricity. During Shane’s time off, he enjoys watching Texas A&M University football, golfing, dove hunting and spending time with his wife, Staci, and their two sons.

Cheryn Jackson has worked hard to provide members with the best service possible during her first year at HILCO EC. As a member service representative, Cheryn processes payments and aid-to-construction paperwork, along with setting up accounts for new and existing members. Cheryn says that she enjoys working with the members each day, and she always wears a welcoming smile. In Cheryn’s free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending church and spending time outdoors on the family farm.

Toby Amerson joined HILCO more than a year ago as a groundsman. Toby works hard to ensure the members get the service they deserve and appreciates the leadership his fellow linemen possess. Toby is quick and eager to learn, and his dedication to the job at hand resonates in his performance. Toby says that he enjoys continued learning from new challenges and getting familiar with new equipment and daily operations. When Toby is away from the co-op, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his friends and family. Chad Huebner has been committed to serving HILCO EC members for more than five years with excellent service. Dedicated to his job, Chad is eager to help members with concerns they may have about their electricity or overall service. Chad enjoys the cameraderie he has with his fellow linemen and loves every aspect of his job. When Chad is away from work, he and his wife, Stacey, enjoy ranch rodeoing, watching their son play football and being involved with the Future Farmers of America.

Danny Taylor began his career with HILCO more than four years ago as manager of special equipment, where he excels in keeping up with the latest in technology and installs and maintains communication structures. Danny performs preventative maintenance on communication equipment and towers and works diligently to ensure members and the cooperative receive reliable service. In Danny’s free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Kristen, and their son and daughter, being involved in his children’s athletics and attending Mavericks and Cowboys games.

hilco.coop

Co-op Power March 2016 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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