Co-op Hotline - April 2015 Issue

Co-op Hotline

Volume: 10, Issue 2 Southeastern IN REMC Member Newsletter April 2015

Office Hours Helping Members Help Themselves

7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (EST) By: Keith Mathews, General Manager
Monday through Friday
Helping Members help Thermal Efficiency Improvement Incentives:
Contact Information themselves was the theme for
Local calls: 812-689-4111 our Annual Meeting this year HVAC DUCT SEALING
Toll free: 800-737-4111 and is a goal we hope to attain. We truly • All Electric Home: 100 percent of the
FAX only: 812-689-6987 want to help you this year with home
Call Before You Dig: 800-382-5544 energy audits. We started offering Energy installed cost up to maximum of $500
Audits to our residential members in 2014, • Fossil fuel with central air or heat
E-mail: [email protected] to help YOU identify and understand
Website: www.seiremc.com the financial impact that an inadequate pump: Maximum $250
thermal envelope can have on your home’s • Both supply and return ducts
Board of Directors energy cost. The thermal envelop is the
protective barrier between the outside must be sealed and insulated if in
Vince Moster - District 1 cold/heat and the conditioned air inside unconditioned space
Brad Bentle - District 2 the home that is produced by your HVAC • Ducts must be sealed with a minimum
David Smith - District 3 system. The energy audit will identify the of 1/16” mastic; and insulated with
Carolyn Armstrong - District 4 areas in need of repair to prevent heat loss/ R‐8 duct wrap (No Exceptions)
Melissa Menchhofer - District 5 heat gain in your home. Areas of concern • Must be professionally installed
Mike Thieman - District 6 may include a need for more insulation in • Need a copy of the bill from installer
Darrell Smith - District 7 the attic, air leaks around doors, windows, • Limit one rebate per home
Bonnie Boggs - District 8 receptacles, fire places, utility lines (water, • New homes, defined as built in the last
Chris Schmaltz - District 9 gas, etc.) coming into the home, and two years, are not eligible.
separated or uninsulated duct work, just to
facebook.com/SEINREMC name a few. This is where your REMC can ATTIC INSULATION
twitter.com/SEIREMC help you help yourself by taking advantage • All Electric Home: 100 percent of the
of the many rebates our marketing
Publishing Information program offers to members who want to installed cost up to a maximum of
“fix” the problem areas and have a more $500
Co-op Hotline is published energy efficient home. Help yourself by • Fossil fuel with central air or heat
bimonthly for the members taking advantage of the Thermal Efficiency pump: Maximum $250
of Southeastern Indiana Rural Improvement Incentives. • Any initial insulation level will qualify
Electric Membership Corporation, • Must bring insulation value to R‐42
a consumer owned utility, 712 (if that cannot be achieved, it does not
South Buckeye Street, Osgood,
Indiana 47037. Periodicals postage

paid at Seymour, IN

Co-op Hotline, April 2015 - Page 1

qualify) activated when demand is up, typically in the afternoons.
• Need a copy of the bill from installer The switch is never activated on weekends or on holidays.
• Limit one rebate per home If needed, a signal is transmitted that will cycle off the
• New homes, defined as built in the last two years, are water heater and/or air conditioner.
What’s in it for you? Well, besides helping your electric
not eligible. co-op keep costs as low as possible, you will receive a
We also have a new pilot program this year for residential monthly credit off your electric bill in June, July, August,
customers with a total electric home. The Pilot Program December, January, and February that amounts to $5 a
will be conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 will include a month for water heater control and $15 a month for June,
small sampling of employee/members and will begin July, and August for water heater and air conditioning
June 1, 2015, which coincides with the summer load control. If, you qualify for both control incentives that
control period. Members will be ask to participate in amounts to a credit of $60 a year off your electric bill.
the power supplier load control periods, on peak/off We know from our Member’s historical usage patterns,
peak pricing options, with notification options. Phase 2 that the majority of our Members electric usage peaks
will begin December 1, 2015, which coincides with the between 4 to 8 p.m. during June, July, and August for the
winter load control period. Our goal is to have a total of summer peaking months and between 7 to 10 am and 6
250 members who will voluntarily agree to participate to 9 p.m. during December, January, February peaking
for a 1 year trial period. Over the next few months, your months. Our power supplier has been able to reduce the
REMC management team will develop this Time of Use/ peak by controlling Demand Response Units for those
Critical Peak pricing program with you, the member, in members who have chosen to allow us to install a switch
mind. The purpose of this new rate is to give members on their water heater and or air conditioning unit. This
additional price options. Members must be willing to allows us to pass along a savings credit to Members.
change their usage patterns, to utilize technology for Electric energy truly does cost more when everyone
scheduling, possibly use a monitoring thermostat, and demands it at the same time.
be able to receive day-ahead notifications via their smart Weather doesn’t have to play havoc with electricity bills.
device, email, or text. Members also must be willing to There are a variety of tools, appliances, and resources
communicate with your cooperative to give us guidance available to solve all sorts of energy challenges. Some,
on what works and does not work. such as new windows or a roof, require significant
Whether you or willing to try a new rate or not I highly financing. But there a lot of options that are inexpensive
encourage you to consider allowing us to install a demand and simple to do and that you can benefit from.
side switch on your water heater and/or air conditioning One the 7 principals of your co-op is concern for
unit. Many electric co-ops offer programs locally that help community. Please call today and allow us to help you
shift the demand of electricity when necessary. Programs take advantage of the cost saving programs your coop has
such as Beat the Peak and Power Moves are offered across to offer.
the nation. A switch can be installed which may be

Statement of Nondiscrimination

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all

of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter by mail to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Page 2 - Co-op Hotline, April 2015

76th Annual Meeting Highlights

Mike Thieman - District 6, David Smith - District 3, Melissa Alan W. Althoff, Ethel May Althoff and Darrell Smith, Vice-

Menchhofer - District 5, and Bradley Bentle - District 2. President of the Board of Directors.

Directors Elected

Congratulations to Mike Thieman, David Smith and
Bradley Bentle on being re-elected for another 3-year
term. And congratulations to Melissa Menchhofer on
being elected to fill the remaining 1-year on the District 5
term.

Harry Althoff Honored & Remembered Representative Randy Frye presented Ethel May Althoff
and Alan W. Althoff with the prestigious Sagamore of the
Darrell Smith, Vice-President of the Board of Directors
honored and remembered the late Harry Althoff for his Wabash award in Harry Althoff ’s honor.
years of service on the Board and his commitment and
dedication to his family, the Bear Branch Fire Department,
the Olive Branch Baptist Church, and the members of
Southeastern Indiana REMC.

Representative Randy Frye honored Harry Althoff, on
behalf of Governor Mike Pence, with the highest civilian
honor in the State of Indiana - The Sagamore of the
Wabash award.

Harry’s wife, Ethel May and son, Alan W. Althoff were
present to accept the awards.

Kids Grand Prize Winner Keith Mathews, General Manager; Brad Bentle, Board
President; and Dean McCloud - Adult Grand Prize Winner

Co-op Hotline, April 2015 - Page 3

Have a successful planting season rooted in safety

As farmers make plans to return to their fields for spring such as lumber, tires, ropes and hay will conduct electricity
planting, Southeastern Indiana REMC and the Safe depending on dampness, dust and dirt contamination.
Electricity program (www.safeelectricity.org) urge them “If your equipment does come into contact with power
to be particularly alert to the dangers of working near lines, stay in the cab and call Southeastern Indiana
overhead power lines. Operating large equipment near REMC or 911 for help,” explains Hall. “If the power line
these lines is one of the often overlooked, yet potentially is energized and you step outside, your body becomes
deadly, hazards of working on a farm. the path to the ground. Even if a line has landed on the
Start by making sure everyone knows to maintain a 10- ground, there is still potential for the area to be energized.
foot clearance minimum from power lines. “Sometimes Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait
a power line is closer than it looks,” says Molly Hall, until help arrives.”
executive director of the Energy Education Council’s Safe If exiting the cab is absolutely necessary because of fire,
Electricity program. “Helpful safety steps include using the proper action is to jump—not step—with both feet
a spotter and designating pre-planned routes that avoid together, hitting the ground at the same time. Do not allow
hazard areas.” any part of your body to touch the equipment and the
ground at the same time. Hop to safety, keeping both feet
Be aware of increased height when loading and together as you leave the area.
transporting tractors on trailer beds. Many tractors now For more tips and information on how to stay safe this
have tall antennas extending from the cab that could planting season, visit SafeElectricity.org.
make contact with power lines. Avoid raising the arms of Safe Electricity is the safety outreach program of the
planters or cultivators near power lines, and never attempt Energy Education Council, a non-profit organization with
to raise or move a power line to clear a path. more than 400 electric cooperative members and many
Simply working too close to a power line is dangerous as others who share the mission of educating the public about
electricity can arc or “jump” to conducting objects, such as electrical safety and energy efficiency.
a ladder, pole or truck. Remember, non-metallic materials

Page 4 - Co-op Hotline, April 2015

Leveraging new technology and good
habits to improve reliability

It’s a simple premise: when you flip the switch at home, the lights should come on. And at Southeastern Indiana REMC
we work hard to ensure you have electricity every hour of every day. It’s what we do; we’re here for you, our member-
owners.
Even as we upgrade the distribution system to improve reliability/provide you with reliable electricity, we face
continual threats. Maybe another tornado, ice storm, or a hurricane is in our future. Maybe a neighbor forgets to call
before he digs up his backyard. Maybe someone slides off the road and hits a utility pole.
As you know, we’ve experienced a lot together. And all the while, we’re preparing for what may come tomorrow. It’s a
tall order. With 3,205 miles of electric distribution lines, we have a lot of ground to cover. So when the lights go out, we
cover it as quickly as possible.
Not too long ago, our only option was linemen driving throughout large areas to investigate a problem. Since then, we
have invested in smart technologies that allow us to monitor our system remotely and pinpoint problems more quickly
and accurately as they occur. These advances help us keep your lights glowing and your heat blowing.
We also have great employees with tremendous expertise in maintaining and repairing our infrastructure. As your
locally owned and operated not-for-profit utility, we deeply care about the areas we serve. We evaluate and deploy cost-
effective system upgrades and preventive maintenance strategies across our seven county service territory. And, we
work hard all year to keep trees away from power lines to prevent outages.
This combination of expertise, technology and our local focus helps us meet new challenges and exceed your
expectations.

Co-op Hotline, April 2015 - Page 5

Incentive Spring cleaning brings energy savings!
Program
Cleaning out some of your “old stuff ” this We also offer a rebate to help cover the
Electric Water Heaters spring can bring you much more than the cost of upgrading insulation in your attic to
$50 to $400 satisfaction of a fresh start. You can save bring it to a resistance value of R-42.
money on your power bills and receive a
All Electric Heat Pump rebate in the process. Only residential members living in
and or Duel Fuel, single-family homes are eligible for the
Central Air Appliance Recycling rebates. Rebates are paid to the homeowner
$150 to $750 For example, consider recycling that old after the equipment is installed and work is
fridge or freezer in the garage or basement. completed.
Geothermal Heat Replacing it with a new, energy-efficient
Pump model can save you as much as $150 per Let the light shine in
$1,500 year on your power bills. Cleaning your windows will help more
As a service of our Appliance Recycling natural light come in. Lower your lighting
HVAC systems for program, professionals will pick up your costs by replacing inefficient incandescent
traditional or Modular old fridge or freezer for FREE. As an added light bulbs with energy-efficient lighting
bonus, we offer a $30 rebate, in addition to Since lighting accounts for as much as
homes the energy cost savings. 12% of your home’s cost for electricity,
$300 to $1,500 To qualify, the fridge or freezer must using efficient bulbs can make a big
be in working condition and sized difference on your power bills. That’s
HVAC systems for between 10 and 30 cubic feet (using inside why we offer discounts and easy online
mobile homes - measurements). Only residential members shopping for these lighting options.
living in single-family homes are eligible. Go to www.seiremc.com or
Manufactured housing TeamUpToSave.com today to visit the
$800 to $1,500 An energy-efficiency HVAC system online store and find out more about
Keep up the spring cleaning by upgrading programs and services designed to save you
Electric Heating your HVAC system. Most people spend energy and money with the help of your
System Checkup close to 50 percent of their energy bills local electric cooperative. Let your spring
on heating and cooling, making that the cleaning lead to energy savings all year-
$50 largest energy expense in most homes. round.
Using a new energy-efficient system can
Refrigerator Roundup greatly reduce those costs and improve
$50 your home’s comfort. However, it can be
costly to replace an older HVAC unit for a
Professionally installed more efficient heating and cooling one.
Duct Sealing That’s where our rebate comes in. We
$250 to $500 offer incentives that range from $150 to
$1,500 on air source heat pumps, central
Professionally installed air and dual-fuel system upgrades. The
Attic Insulation actual amounts depend on the system you
$250 to $500 select, and we can work with you on your
specific needs.
Make sure you To help make your HVAC system even
check out the specs, more efficient and your home more
program guidelines comfortable, you may be eligible for a
and conditions before rebate to help pay for sealing your system’s
you purchase new ducts. This prevents air loss and directs the
heated or cooled air through the ducts and
equipment. into your home.

Page 6 - Co-op Hotline, April 2015

Is danger lurking in your laundry room?

Laundry. It’s a necessary chore for each and every
household. But, while you’re making your whites whiter
and your colors brighter, are you making sure that you and
your family are safe?

While doing laundry may seem like a harmless, repetitive
task, there are hidden dangers of which you need to be
aware…dangers which could cause severe injury or death.

Here are some electrical safety tips for your laundry room outlets, appliances or cords. The water could be
courtesy of Southeastern Indiana REMC: energized, which could lead to electrocution.
• Make sure your washer and dryer are correctly • If an electrical appliance, such as a washer or dryer,
has come into contact with water, have a professional
connected to your home’s electrical system. Washers determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be
need only a standard 110-volt outlet to operate (the replaced.
kind you find anywhere in your home), while electric
dryers should have an independent 220-volt outlet for Other safety tips for your laundry room include:
safe operation. Overloading an outlet, or a circuit, by • Clean your dryer’s lint trap after each load.
having too many appliances attached to it can lead to • Regularly inspect the ductwork at the back of your
an electrical fire. If you have questions regarding the
wiring for your laundry equipment, please consult a dryer to make sure lint has not collected there.
qualified electrician. • On the outside of your home, check where the dryer
• Does your laundry area employ a utility sink?
NEC (National Electrical Code) Code 210.8 (7) vent’s hot air is released to make sure the vent opens to
recommends a GFCI outlet (ground fault circuit let the air out when the dryer is running and that it’s
interruptor) be installed if an outlet/receptacle is not clogged with lint. A clogged dryer vent could lead
within 6 feet of the outside edge of the sink. GFCIs are to a fire. The Consumer Product Safety Commission
designed to prevent shock by shutting off an electric reports that washers and dryers were involved in one
circuit when it detects that current is flowing along an of every 22 home fires reported between 2006-10.
unintended path, possibly through water or through a • Regularly inspect your washer’s hot and cold water
person. Remember, water and electricity do not mix. hoses for cracks or other damage to prevent flooding.
• Have a flood in your laundry area? Never step into a Some experts even recommend turning off the hot and
flooded room if water may be in contact with electrical cold water valves to your washer between uses.
• Child proof your laundry area. Consider installing
locks on front-loading washers and dryers to keep
small children from danger. Place detergents and other
harmful products well away from curious youngsters.
• Never leave washers or dryers running while away
from the home.
By following these safety tips, you can keep your laundry
flowing and your family safe from danger.

Co-op Hotline, April 2015 - Page 7

P.O. Box 196 PRST STD
712 South Buckeye Street U.S. POSTAGE
Osgood, IN 47037
PAID
SEYMOUR, IN
PERMIT NO. 198

Special GENERAC Promotion

Be prepared for unexpected power Enjoy a 50% savings on the
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• 22 kW generator • Gen Pad
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$4,700.51

CALL FOR DETAILS: 800-737-4111

Page 8 - Co-op Hotline, April 2015 To request any of the following call:

1-800-737-4111

• Paperless Billing Statements
• High/Low Voltage Demonstration
• Home Energy Audit
• Home Generator Program Info.

To make a payment call:

1-888-999-0762