What You Can Do in an Outage


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Co-op News HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

What You Can Do in an Outage Power outage FAQ for members

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO DEBRA COLE POWER OUTAGES ARE A FACT OF LIFE—a disruptive one for co-op employees and members alike. Members often wonder what they should do when an outage occurs. HILCO Electric Cooperative has the answers to some of our members’ frequently asked questions.

Q: Does the cooperative automatically know when I have lost electric service? A: Advanced meters can send outage information to the cooperative; however, we

ask that when you have a power outage, you call the co-op to report it.

Q: What can I do to help get my power back on quickly? A: First, check your fuses or circuit breakers, making sure that they have not

blown or tripped. Next, call the co-op office and have your account number ready. Let us know if you saw or heard anything, such as sparks, loud noises, or trees or limbs on the power lines. This will help our field crews find the problem more quickly. Q: How do you decide whose power to restore first? A: The outage restoration process begins at the substation where power is sup-

plied into our distribution system. After these repairs have been made, crews work on the lines serving the greatest number of members until electricity is restored to all main lines. Then crews begin repairing lines to individual members. Q: Why can’t you tell me how long it will take to restore my power? A: Each outage is a result of different circumstances that can make restoration

BOA R D O F D IR E CTO RS

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

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, TX 76055 (254) 687-2331 1-800-338-6425 Midlothian 300A Silken Crossing Midlothian, TX 76065 (972) 723-2900 Whitney 4581 FM 933 Whitney, TX 76692 (254) 694-5237 1-888-850-6551

times difficult to predict. During the power restoration process, crews encounter factors that affect the time it takes to find the problem and make the necessary repairs. Q: Why would a crew pass by my house without restoring power? A: Our No. 1 goal is restoring power to as many members as quickly, safely and

efficiently as possible. If you see a service crew pass by without stopping, it could be because crews are working to restore main lines; responding to an emergency; or going past your location to access lines and substations serving your area.

CONTACT US

Q: Why does my neighbor have power, but I do not? A: Who is affected by an outage depends upon the cause and location of the prob-

lem. If your neighbor has electricity, but you do not, it’s likely that you’re on separate lines. Also, make sure your power is not out because of a tripped breaker at your home. Q: Is a generator safe to use when I lose power? A: A generator can be a wonderful tool during an outage, but it can also be

extremely dangerous if used improperly. Without a transfer switch, a generator is a fire hazard if it’s on line when electricity is restored. Improper connection of a generator also endangers service crews working to restore power. If used without ventilation, generators can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Q: What about members with special medical needs? A: In case of extended outages, members who require electricity for health care

should have an emergency backup plan, such as moving to an alternative location, using a portable generator or installing battery backup for medical equipment. Please call our offices at 1-800-338-6425 if you have a critical medical need for electricity, or if you have questions about outages. 18

Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC February 2017

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.coop

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

February

Bulletin February 11 Whitney

Chocolate Festival at Laguna Park For more information, call (254) 622-2665.

February 17–19 Waxahachie

Gingerbread House Chili Cook-Off Ellis County Youth Expo Center For more information, call (972) 937-1870 or visit elliscountycac.org.

WE LOVE OUR MEMBERS!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Win a $50 Bill Credit!

FROM HILCO EC

As you’re reading your Texas Co-op Power, look for the “hidden” account number in the local HILCO pages in the center of the magazine. If it’s YOUR electric account OPEN HEARTS number, call us before the end of February— you have won a $50 credit on your HILCO electric bill! LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERA TIVE EDITION Texas Indepe ndence Cajun Cookin

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BILLING SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 2017 Videogame Museu m

Co-op members draw attention to deadly defects

(254) 687-2331 or

1-800-338-6425 hilco.coop

Tuesday, February 14

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Power Tip The average household owns 24 consumer electronics products, which are responsible for 12 percent of house-

Payments are due by close of business at 5 p.m. on the due date. CYCLE 1 Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 2 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 18

CYCLE 2 Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 9 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 25

CYCLE 3

hold electricity use, according to the

Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 16 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 3

Consumer Electronics Association. Using

CYCLE 13

power strips and unplugging chargers

Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 17 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 3

when not in use can help minimize elec-

CYCLE 4

tronics’ wasted power.

Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 23 Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 10

Co-op Power February 2017 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MESSAGE FROM THE HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rebates Return for 2017 OUR REBATE PROGRAMS have been a big success in the past.

Over the years, HILCO Electric Cooperative has helped members conserve and save, and this year, we are pleased to announce once again that we are offering rebates and incentives for energy-efficency upgrades to members’ homes, farms and businesses.

Energy-Efficient New Home Construction Rebate: $500 Any home—single-family, modular, manufactured, even multifamily—with three stories or fewer can be certified as an Energy Star home if it meets Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for the energy-efficiency standards. Energy efficiencies are typically obtained based on a combination of choices used in the home’s construction, such as the type of insulation, type of heating and cooling system, appliances and windows; even lighting choices also can improve efficiencies.

HVAC Tuneup Rebate: Up to $50 HVAC tuneup and maintenance help to keep heat pump and central air-conditioning units operating at top efficiency and extends the life of the unit. A tuneup by a professional can improve the unit’s efficiency by as much as 20 percent. HILCO will reimburse members up to $50 for having a licensed contractor perform a HVAC tuneup in 2017.

Ceiling Insulation Rebate: $300 Adding ceiling insulation to your attic is one of the most costeffective ways to make your home comfortable, regardless of the outside temperature. HILCO offers free home energy audits. If during an audit your home is found to have less than 3.75 inches of insulation, you will be eligible for the rebate program. Attic insulation must be increased to 17 inches (R-38) or higher and verified

and approved by a HILCO representative within 60 days of your home audit.

Manufactured Home Solid Underpinning: $200 Underpinning is used to protect the underside of the home. Without solid underpinning, rodents and animals can access insulation and ductwork, and air is allowed to flow underneath the home, all of which result in dramatic energy loss. Contact HILCO Electric for a FREE home energy audit and pre-home inspection. If your home is found to be in need of solid underpinning, simply install the skirting and call HILCO within 60 days of installation for a post-home inspection. The $200 rebate is limited to one rebate per member and available until funds are depleted.

Energy Star Room Air Conditioner Rebate: $50 Members who purchase a room air-conditioning unit that is Energy Star-certified are eligible for this rebate.

High-Efficiency Central Air/Heating Rebate: $150 Unit efficiencies are measured by seasonal energy efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit is when operating. Install a 16-SEER (or higher) airconditioning unit that is Energy Star-certified, and you will be eligible for the rebate. If replacing an existing system, the new system must have a SEER rating 2 points higher than the old unit and cannot have a SEER rating of less than 16. At HILCO, we have a series of programs designed to reward members for reducing their energy use. For more information and guidelines on the above listed programs, visit our website at hilco.coop/rebates.htm. HILCO Electric Cooperative will offer these rebates until funds are depleted.

HILCO Electric Cooperative Board of Directors

Joe Tedesco President 20

Bill Allen Vice President

Jan Smith Secretary-Treasurer

Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC February 2017

Ron Roberts Director

George Thiess Director

Margaret Hill Director

Leroy Huff Director hilco.coop

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

hilco.coop

Co-op Power February 2017 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Virtual Home Energy Audits IS YOUR HOME USING ENERGY EFFICIENTLY? Unless it was built

quite recently and satisfies stringent energy-efficiency standards, there are areas of your home where you can improve efficiency, save money and reduce your carbon footprint. In a perfect world, your best option would be to hire a trained professional to conduct a full-blown, in-home energy audit. This usually involves a detailed inspection of your home’s insulation levels, HVAC system, lighting, appliances and landscaping. A professional energy auditor will typically conduct a blower door test to check pressurization and spot hard-to-find leaks to the exterior. In addition, a professional might use a duct blaster to identify leaks in your home’s ductwork. One drawback to the in-home energy audit is finding a time that works with your busy schedule. An energy audit can take several hours when done correctly, which means you might have to take time off from work, farm out the pets or get help with the kids and their after-school activities. Luckily, there is an alternative: the online or “virtual” home energy audit. These online tools have come a long way over the past 10 years. Today’s online energy audits are user-friendly and take only a few minutes to complete. An online energy audit can assess your home’s energy efficiency and provides helpful tips on how to reduce energy waste. The audits use sophisticated computer models that survey local housing types—factoring in

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Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC February 2017

Here’s where to look for online audits:

a Your co-op or local utilities: They will include comparable weather and housing data, so the audit will be more precise. a The Department of Energy website at hes.lbl.gov. A word of caution: Be careful when using online energy audit software provided by organizations other than utilities, government agencies or universities. Some companies might try to obtain information about you to sell their own products and services. If you see phrases like, “Learn what your power company does not want you to know,” or if the website looks like a marketing page, move on. Unless you are dealing with a local electric co-op or other trusted provider, do not provide any personal information besides your physical address (for data accuracy) or an email address (for receiving a full report). If an online energy audit doesn’t interest you, fear not. The Department of Energy offers a do-it-yourself energy audit section on its website. Go to energy.gov and search for “do-ityourself home energy audits.” The bottom line? Choose the energy audit that works for you, then implement as many of the recommendations as you can. Even taking small steps can add up to significant results, and you’ll see the benefits on your utility bills for years to come.

Energy audits are a quick and easy way to assess your home’s energy efficiency.

NA KO PH OTO GRAP HY | I STOCK .COM

Your Online Energy Audit Checklist Each home energy audit is a little different, and the information required varies. Below is a basic list of what you’ll need. Be as accurate as possible. a Your home ZIP code—for weather and housing data a Average amount of your monthly electric bill a Your electric rate a Your average monthly fossil fuel bill(s)—oil, propane and gas a Your fossil fuel rate(s) a Age of your home and general characteristics (size, floors, exterior materials) a Ages and number of appliances a Type and age of heating and cooling system(s) a How many incandescent, CFL and LED lights you have

local weather data with the age, size, flooring and construction materials of the home.

hilco.coop

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

HILCO Staff Achievement Awards THE HILCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS HONORED HILCO Electric Cooperative and HILCO

United Services employees in December at the annual awards presentation. Hosting the evening’s activities was General Manager Debra Cole, who welcomed board members, current and retired employees and special guests, including members of the Operation Round Up Trust Board and representatives from KBS Electrical Distributors. Appreciation certificates were awarded to co-op employees for years of service and safe driving. Special recognition was given to Rhonda Trejo, who has served the cooperative for 30 years. Cole also introduced the new employees who joined the HILCO family this year.

Rhonda Trejo was honored for 30 years of service to HILCO.

2016 Awards

Don Sanderlin 25 years of service

Paula Farquhar, Travis Sanders, Cathy Farquhar and Karla Clay 20 years of service

Trust Board Member Debbie Brooks 15 years of service

Pam Lewis and Matt Fehnel 15 years of service

Lazaro Villarreal, Melinda Basye, Brandi Shore and Valorie Phillips 10 years of service

HILCO Board Member Leroy Huff 5 years of service

hilco.coop

Members of the HILCO staff were recognized for years of service to HILCO Electric and its members in five-year increments. Rhonda Trejo Joe Marek Don Sanderlin Daniel Beam Karla Clay Cathy Farquhar Paula Farquhar Travis Sanders Abigail Bason Debbie Brooks Matthew Fehnel Pamela Lewis Melinda Basye Molly Camarena Kathleen Carter Valorie Phillips Brandi Shore Lazaro Villarreal Joan Gamble Brandon Hightower Chad Huebner Leroy Huff

30 years 30 years 25 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 20 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 15 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 10 years 5 years 5 years 5 years 5 years

Co-op Power February 2017 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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ENERGY STAR

HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Buyers Guide

Purchasing ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and electronics is a great way to save energy in your home. But how do you choose the right product? It depends on your energy-saving goals and how you use energy in your home. Do you wash multiple loads of laundry each week? Investing in an ENERGY STAR-certified washer could save you around $45 on your utility bill each year. Some of the top-rated ENERGY STAR-certified large washers come from LG and Samsung. Visit ENERGY STAR’s “Most Efficient 2016” page to learn more.

Home computers can use a shocking amount of energy each year. If all computers in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified, we would save more than $1 billion in energy costs per year. If you can’t buy an ENERGY STAR-certified computer, consider updating the power management setting on your computer. Visit energystar.gov/products/office_equipment/computers.

The larger TVs get, the more energy they use. But ENERGY STAR-certified TVs are, on average, 25% more efficient than conventional models. LG, Samsung and Vizio make the list of ENERGY STAR’s most efficient 2016 TVs.

There are many different types of ENERGY STAR-certified products, including: • Air purifiers • Roof products • Set-top boxes and cable boxes • Decorative light strands

• Data center storage • Pool pumps • Vending machines • Dehumidifiers

Learn more about ENERGY STAR products. Visit energystar.gov/products

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

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Power Line Safety Tips HERE’S A FACT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW: You don’t have to touch a power line to be in

danger; high-voltage electricity can jump to anyone who gets too close. Fortunately, there are many ways to stay safe around power lines, whether they’re in the air or on the ground. Look up before raising a ladder or pole to make sure that it will not come within 10 feet of any power lines. Use wooden or fiberglass ladders outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity. Contact HILCO Electric Cooperative immediately to report downed power lines, which can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or even death. Electricity tends to move from a high-voltage zone to a low-voltage zone—and it could make that journey through your body. You should assume that all downed power lines are live. You cannot tell just by looking at a power line whether it is energized. Move at least 10 feet away from it and any nearby object it is touching, such as a fence or a tree limb. The ground around power lines also might be energized. The proper way to move away from a downed line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for an electric shock. If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with a downed line, do not touch the person—or you could become the next victim. Call 911 and your cooperative for help. Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Nonconductive materials including wood or cloth can conduct electricity if even slightly wet. Be careful not to touch or step in water near a downed power line. Do not drive over downed power lines. If your vehicle comes into contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the vehicle. Honk your horn to summon help, but warn others to stay away from your vehicle. If you must leave your vehicle because it is on fire, jump out with both feet together and avoid simultaneous contact with both the car and the ground. Shuffle away from the vehicle.

ALISAFAROV | ISTOCK.COM

Honey Cheese Bacon Chicken 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 3/4 cup honey 1/2 cup Dijon or creole mustard 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper, or more to taste 4 slices bacon, cut in half 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Apply cooking spray to a metal baking dish. Pound chicken breast halves to an even thickness. 2. Mix together honey, mustard and lemon pepper in a small dish. Place the breast halves in baking dish and drizzle evenly with the honeymustard mixture. 3. Bake chicken 25 minutes, then top each breast half with 2 bacon pieces and increase oven heat to 400. Continue baking about 7–8 minutes. 4. Top with cheese and bake another 3 minutes or until chicken juices run clear, bacon is crisp and cheese is bubbly. Serve with brown or white rice.

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Never drive over downed power lines or step in water near them.

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This recipe won the Five Ingredients or Fewer contest in September 2015. Submit your Texas Gulf Shrimp recipe to Texas Co-op Power by February 10 for a chance to win $100 and be published. Visit texascooppower.com/contests.

Find this and more delicious recipes online at

TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM Co-op Power February 2017 HILCO EC Texas ­­

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