Co-op Hotline - October 2015 Issue

Co-op Hotline

Volume: 10, Issue 5 Southeastern IN REMC Member Newsletter October 2015

Office Hours Rate of Change

7:30 AM to 4:30 PM (EST) By: Bryan K. Mathews, General Manager
Monday through Friday
Over the last couple of days, the Board and Staff The Strategic Plan focuses on improvement:
Contact Information gathered at your coop to plan new and possibly bet-
ter ways to serve our Members, Board, Employees,  Improvement in Service – professional,
Local calls: 812-689-4111 and Community. This is what most organizations personal, with continued utilization of
Toll free: 800-737-4111 call Strategic Planning. This is a look towards the technology
FAX only: 812-689-6987 future.
To make a payment: 1-888-999-0762  Improvement in Reliability – high
Call Before You Dig: 800-382-5544 As I reflect upon the rate of change: I am talking reliability with continued utilization of
E-mail: [email protected] about the changes in technology, the changes in technology
Website: www.seiremc.com member expectations, the changes in social media,
the changes in environmental compliance, changes  Improvement in Costs – provide value at
Board of Directors in rates, changes in personnel, changes in weather a competitive price with focus on efficient
patterns, changes in safety, changes in reliability of operations
Vince Moster - District 1 service, and changes that occur to us every day. A
Brad Bentle - District 2 more simple way to say it is; life is change.  Improvement in Culture – service ori-
David Smith - District 3 ented, with a belief in and advocacy of the
Carolyn Armstrong - District 4 I remember growing up in the small town of Cross Cooperative Difference
Melissa Menchhofer - District 5 Plains and my biggest concern was finding a few
Mike Thieman - District 6 coke bottles along the road-side so that my friends Needless to mention; regulatory constraints will
Darrell Smith - District 7 and I could go to the local store to get enough continue to plague us all our lives, but this does not
Bonnie Boggs - District 8 money to spend on bubble gum (three pieces), and mean we will sit back and do nothing. Strategic
Chris Schmaltz - District 9 a rubber ball, which lasted two days before we went Initiatives and Action Plans are being developed.
looking for coke bottles again. If any Member would like to discuss future plans,
facebook.com/SEINREMC has suggestions for improvements, or has an issue
Change is constant, little boys or girls no longer that we can help with, give us a call or send us a
twitter.com/SEIREMC can search for coke bottles along the road-side, and message.
what parent would want their kids in that kind of
Publishing Information environment today? We understand there are key areas to focus on, such
as system improvements, by continuing the right-
Co-op Hotline is published Changes are occurring. Some of the change comes of-way program, pole replacements and necessary
bimonthly for the members from our government and regulators, but we as a upkeep to system lines and equipment. We will
of Southeastern Indiana Rural driven cooperative must make internal changes to continue tried and true methods and will strive to
Electric Membership Corporation, be ahead of the change of life when it comes to do our best to improve life in Southeastern Indiana.
a consumer owned utility, 712 looking out for our Members. Along with your help, our board’s help, and our
South Buckeye Street, Osgood, employee’s help, we will implement new technol-
Indiana 47037. Periodicals postage ogy that will compliment what is already in place.

paid at Seymour, IN This is what we know as the Cooperative Way!

Co-op Hotline, October 2015 - Page 1

Is your basement

a ‘man cave’

or just a cave?

If your home has a typical basement, you know it’s a
hub of activity. Be it a finished family entertainment
center; “man cave”; workshop; entry point of your
home’s utilities where the circuit box, main water and gas
shut-offs may be located; major utility area where your
furnace, water heater, water softener, washer and dryer
may be located; storage area; or a little of everything
— your basement has some special electrical safety
concerns your electric cooperative wants you to keep in
mind.

Though we’re up and down the basement steps all day
long, it seems, the basement is easily ignored when it
comes to safety. We simply flick the light switch, close
the door and assume all is OK. Yet, it is where some of
our most essential — and expensive — home appliances
are kept. We know heating equipment and electrical
distribution systems are two of the leading causes of
home fires.

Appliances

You can help keep your home safe by making sure your
major appliances are properly maintained.

• Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually
by a licensed professional.

• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment, such as
furnaces, stoves and fireplaces, is vented to the
outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Check for excessive vibration or movement when
the washing machine or dryer is operating. This can
put stress on electrical connections.

• Make sure the area around your dryer is clutter free
and that the dryer lint filter is cleaned after each
load.

• Have the dryer vent inspected and cleaned
periodically, either by yourself or a professional, to
make sure it doesn’t become blocked and free of
kinks or catches in the tubing.

• Don’t overlook your basement when it comes to
smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Page 2 - Co-op Hotline, October 2015

Electric panels and outlets Southeastern Indiana REMC
Rebate Program
• Check the label inside the door or cover of your
electrical service panel to see when your electrical Electric Water Heaters
system was last inspected. If the date has passed
or is approaching, contact a licensed, qualified $50 to $400
electrician to schedule an inspection.
All Electric Heat Pump and or Duel
• Be sure circuit breakers or fuses are correctly labeled Fuel, Central Air
with their amperage and their corresponding
rooms, circuits or outlets. $150 to $750

• Never open and touch the panel while standing in Geothermal Heat Pump
water or on a wet or damp floor.
$1,500
• Always keep the breaker panel door closed and
secured. Do not place anything in front of the door. HVAC systems for traditional or
Modular homes
• Make sure your outlets around the washer/dryer,
sinks and sump pump are equipped with ground $300 to $1,500
fault circuit interrupters. Test them often to make
sure they are working properly. HVAC systems for mobile homes -
Manufactured housing
• Be sure circuit breakers and fuses are correctly
labeled with their amperage and their $800 to $1,500
corresponding rooms, circuits or outlets. Use
correct size and current rating for breakers/fuses. Electric Heating System Checkup

• Increase your fire protection by having a licensed $50
electrician replace your standard circuit breakers
with arc fault circuit interrupters. Refrigerator Roundup

With all the wet weather Indiana has experienced this $50
year, basements and electrical systems may have been
damaged by flooding or just seeping water. Never enter Professionally installed Duct
your basement if water has reached above the electrical Sealing
outlets and never touch your electrical panel if you have
to stand in water or on a damp floor to do so. $250 to $500

Sources: Electrical Safety Foundation International, Underwriters Laboratories, NRECA, Electric Consumer Professionally installed Attic
Insulation

$250 to $500

Co-op Hotline, October 2015 - Page 3

Start saving with a DIY home energy audit

By Anne Prince

As temperatures begin to drop and your energy focus turns from cooling your home to heating it, consider using this
time to increase energy efficiency and cost savings for the colder months ahead. Whether your home is old or new,
chances are you are spending more on energy costs than necessary.

Armed with some basic knowledge and a little time, you can conduct a baseline energy audit of your home to identify
where you are losing energy (and money). Use a checklist and take notes on problems you find as you walk through
your home. Remember, the audit itself won’t save you money unless you act on your findings.

DIY 101

So, where to start? If your home has multiple levels, work from the top down. Begin in your attic or highest floor, and
work your way down to the first floor or basement.

1. Insulation and air leaks (drafts) – According to the Department of Energy, improving your home’s insulation
and sealing air leaks are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of
your energy dollars. Check to see whether there is sufficient insulation in the attic. Are openings containing
piping, ductwork and chimney sealed?

2. Electronic devices – Inventory all of the electronic devices you have and how often you use them. Computers,
printers, DVD players, phones and gaming consoles are notorious “vampire power” users – they drain energy
even when not in use. If items can be turned off without disrupting your lifestyle, consider plugging them into a
power strip that can be turned on and off (or put on a timer).

3. Lighting – Note where you still have incandescent lights. Can you replace them with CFL or LED upgrades? Do
you have nightlights? If so, consider replacing them with LED nightlights. Are there places where you can install
motion sensor lights in low use areas, such as a closet, porch or garage?

4. Thermostat/indoor temperature – Do you have a programmable thermostat? When was the last time it was
programmed? Is the date and time correct? If they are not, this could throw off the automatic settings. Is it set
so the temperature is lower during the day and/or times when no one is home and at night when people are
sleeping? Consider lowering the temperature a few degrees.

5. Appliances and cleaning – Appliances are large energy users, and if yours are more than 10 years old, they are
likely not as energy efficient as today’s options. How and when you use them also make a difference. Do you
wash your clothes in hot water, or can you use cold water instead? Do you use your washer, dryer or dishwasher
during the day? Consider running them at night, during off-peak times. Does your hot water heater have a
blanket? If not, consider insulating it. Make sure your dryer vent isn’t blocked – this will not only save energy, it
may also prevent a fire.

Evaluation

Once you have completed the audit, take a look at the findings. Prioritize actions that you can take based on your
time and budget, weighing where you can get the most impact for your investment. Increasing your home’s energy
efficiency will make your family comfortable while saving you money.

Taking savings to the next level

If you would like to take your audit and savings to the next level, contact Southeastern Indiana REMC at 800-737-
4111 for an energy evaluation conducted by the energy experts. Sharing your audit findings with the representative
from your co-op will provide a great starting point for a more detailed assessment.

Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association,
the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Page 4 - Co-op Hotline, October 2015

Time for a Tune-up

With winter prowling around the corner, it’s time to hire a qualified
technician to tune up your HVAC system. The average home spends
48 percent of its energy bills on heating and cooling, making that the
largest energy expense for most people. Maintaining the system you
have can greatly reduce those costs and improve your home’s comfort.

The ENERGY STAR checklist below offers great pointers for teaming up
with an HVAC professional. But better get rolling today before those
winter winds start howling.

Use this game plan for a winning HVAC system

Your contractor should complete the following each spring and fall:

Check thermostat settings to ensure the heating and cooling system turns
on and off at the programmed temperatures.

Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on
motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause your system to operate
unsafely and reduce the life of major components.

Lubricate moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors
and increase the amount of electricity you use. Lack of lubrication can also
cause equipment to wear out more quickly, requiring more frequent repairs
or replacements.

Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner,
furnace, and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). If plugged, the drain
can cause water damage in the house, affect indoor humidity levels, and
breed bacteria and mold.

Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting
cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts
properly.

Inspect, clean, or change the air filter in your central air conditioner, furnace,
and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this yourself.
Depending on your system, your filter may be located in the duct system versus
the heating and cooling equipment itself.

– Source: ENERGY STAR’s “A Guide to
Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling”

Co-op Hotline, October 2015 - Page 5

Membership matters

By Meghaan Evans

October is National Cooperative Month, and for the many different types of co-ops in the U.S., it’s the time of year to
celebrate what membership truly means. You could be a member of a lot of different places – a gym, a 4-H club, a food
of the month club – the list goes on and on! But what makes being a member of a co-op different?

The simple answer to that question is that when you are a member of a co-op, you are also an owner. You own a stake in
our business, and just like any stakeholder, there are many benefits to your membership. As a member of Southeastern
Indiana REMC, you have a say in the representatives who are elected to serve on the co-op’s board of directors. You have
an opportunity to make your voice heard every year at our Annual Meeting. You get a say on policy issues your electric
cooperative supports or opposes. You can even help to determine how your profits are redistributed.

Our bottom line is providing you with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Sure, we have to think about expenses,
overhead and other aspects of daily business, but when we have a little left over, we send it right back to you. Whether
we return it to you in the form of a bill credit or a check – you have a say in where that money goes! And returning
capital credits to you is a major part of why being a co-op member matters.

As your local electric co-op, we get to be a part of this community. When we think about membership, we think about
all of the ways we can give back to you, our members – and that’s what matters most to us.

Meghaan Evans writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service
arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Power of

Membership

You help power a community

Southeastern Indiana REMC belongs to the members it
serves. That means our members have a say in how our co-op
is run. And with members in charge, you can feel confident
that the decisions made are in your best interest and the best
interest of your community. Doesn’t that sound good?

Members know they can trust Southeastern Indiana REMC
because it was created not to make profits, but to deliver on
this promise: providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity.
Four values are the foundation of Southeastern Indiana
REMC’s service to its members—innovation, commitment
to community, accountability and integrity. These values
represent the cooperative difference and how our co-op earns
the trust of members, every day.

Members first. Every day. That’s the power of co-op
membership.

Plug in to the power of Southeastern Indiana REMC’s
Touchstone Energy Cooperative membership at www.
TogetherWeSave.com.

Page 6 - Co-op Hotline, October 2015

Co-op Hotline, October 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

Statement of Community Events MAMMOGRAMS
Nondiscrimination
Zumba Moves - Party in Pink For Members of
This institution is an equal October 24, 2015; 9:00 a.m.; Southeastern Indiana YMCA. Southeastern Indiana
opportunity provider and A zumbathon charity event hosted by Laura Lukens
Ault in support of the Zumba Global Research Grant for REMC
employer. Breast Cancer Prevention, benefiting the Susan G. Komen FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
foundation. AVAILABLE FOR THOSE
If you wish to file a Civil
Rights program complaint Batesville United Methodist Church Turkey Dinner THAT QUALIFY
of discrimination, complete November 14, 2015; 4-6:30 p.m.; Batesville United
Methodist Church, 106 South Park Avenue, Batesville, IN October 26, 2015
the USDA Program 47006. Carry-outs available. Kids Country Corner Crafts 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Discrimination Complaint for sale. Admission: 13 and up - $10; 12 and under - $5.
For more information call 812-934-3137 REMC Training
Form, found online at Center
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/ GENERAC
614 South Buckeye Street
complaint_filing_cust. Be prepared for CALL FOR Osgood, IN 47037
html, or at any USDA office, unexpected power DETAILS
outages. Purchase To schedule an
or call (866) 632-9992 to a 22 kW total home appointment:
request the form. You may backup generator. 800-737-4111 ext. 236
also write a letter containing
$4,700.51
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 program.intake@

usda.gov.

Page 8 - Co-op Hotline, October 2015