September Newsletter

Fall is a great time for energy-efficiency home improvement projects!

A monthly publication for members of Heartland Power Cooperative | September 2017

Enduring Affordability: 75+ Years Strong

Controlling Local Costs to Keep Rates As Low As Possible

While the cost of most things like cars, houses, eggs, stamps “We aren’t in business to make profits
and gasoline has increased twenty-fold or more during the
past 75 years, electricity has remained overall very affordable. for out-of-state shareholders, but exist
The average cost per kilowatt-hour has only doubled since the
1930s. to improve the quality of life for our

member-owners.” Jon Leerar,

CEO/General Manager

In fact, on average, the American household is steadily spend- Safe, Reliable, Affordable Electricity
ing less on electricity as a percentage of its income. Today, the
average electric cooperative household in Iowa spends about
$5 a day on electricity. So for the cost of a value meal at a fast
food restaurant, you can get 24 hours of safe, reliable power.
In perspective, that’s a great value!

Not-for-profit electric cooperatives aren’t in business to make
profits for out-of-state shareholders; locally owned and gov-
erned, we exist to improve the quality of life for our mem-
ber-owners. We help our member-owners use energy wisely
through energy efficiency programs, rebates and incentives
so they can spend their hard-earned money on other things.
We work hard to control local costs to keep rates and fees as
low as possible. We invest in technology and innovation to
improve service, reliability, and efficiency.

Reminder: Electric rates will return to 9.6 cents/kWh this
month following the end of our summer rate season of

11.6 cents/kWh which was in effect June-August.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Considering Solar? Grain Dryer Changes &
Read This First!| p 4 Transformer Size| p 6
Are You On The List?
|p3 Installing a solar system Have you or will you

Over 150 accounts have requires a lot of research - upgrade your grain dryer
outstanding checks from
last October’s Capital Credit find some topics to review before harvest? Check inside
Retirement.
on page four. for more about your service!

TAKE THE A Glimpse Into
CO-OP QUIZ
Homeward, Inc.
$25 Credit Winner
Scott and Jodi Drexler of Lake www.homewardiowa.com
Mills. Congratulations!
Karrie Pringnitz,
This Month’s Question Director of Finances/Admin. Services
Are the breaker panel and
meter loop part of the co-op’s About Homeward:
equipment or the member’s
responsibility? • not-for-profit housing organization
• serving rural Iowa since 1996
Quiz Guidelines • assisted over 1,800 rural familes in 188 communities
Each member who sends in • over $15.5 million loaned or granted since inception
the correct answer will have
their name put in a drawing. Offering Grants & Loans On:
Quiz answers may be mailed
in or emailed to: energy@ • energy efficiency improvements
heartlandpower.com.
• geothermal heat pumps
The lucky winner will receive
a $25 bill credit toward next • down payments
month’s electric bill. Answers
must be received by the 20th of • wells and septic systems

• home improvements and repairs

Recent Changes: Cheryl Rhead, Program Manager

• Long-standing program manager, Deb

Prehm, retired in June 2017

• Cheryl Rhead assumed the role of

program manager this summer

Welcoming Cheryl to Homeward, Inc!

Homeward, Inc. is pleased to introduce Cheryl Rhead as the new
program manager. Cheryl’s extensive mortgage lending and housing
background makes her a welcome addition to our program. Cheryl
enjoys spending time outdoors, including putting her Master Gardener
skills to work. She also enjoys photography and cheering on the

Cyclones.

2 | NEWS AND VIEWS: SEPTEMBER 2017

UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDITS

As of July 31, 2017, the following members have not cashed their capital credit retirement check from October 10, 2016.
Please cash these checks or contact the cooperative if you need it to be reissued.

ABRAMS DRAINAGE DEAN W MORRIS HARRIET GRANER KERMIT GRUNHOVD RALPH H MC CARTNEY
SERVICE DENNIS KRONEMAN HERMAN KOENIGS KERRY MURRAY RICHARD HARANG
ALAN COXSON DENNIS KRUSE HERMAN SMALLEY KRANINGER FARM RICHARD LINDFLOTT
ALAN LARSON DICK SELVIG HUBERT DIETERICH KURT MITTHUN ROBERT GRABER
ALAN R SPRUNG DONNA BENSEND IRENE SELVIG LA VERNE NELSON ROBERT STANGEL
ALVIN TWEETEN DONNA M STARKEY ITC HOLDINGS CORP LEE A BIRD ROBERT STORBY
ANNETTE WILLIAMS DONNA MILLER IVAN DALRYMPLE LINDA GANNON ROLLAND CHURCH
BELVIA LOVIK DONNA STARKEY JAMES N HURST LOIS N MEYER RON NAUMAN
BERDELL R AHRENS DONNA STARKEY JANE THORSON LUCILE MARCKS RONALD E MAIN
BERNEICE BRANSTAD DOROTHY CHRISTIAN- JAY D WHITE LYLE E HANNA RONALD HAAYER
BEVERLY SCHROADER SON JENNIFER KRACHMER MABEL E PETERSON ROSE VILLELA
BILL MORGAN DOROTHY SIMONS JENNIFER M MOE MARCELLA SCHUTTER ROXANNE TUSLER
BRENT NISSEN DOUG ORTMAYER JENNIFER TUSLER MARK RIECK RUSSELL FINCH
BRODY M BOSS DOUGLAS STILLE JERALD K PHILIPP MARRICE NEWKIRK RUTH HOCKENS
BRUCE MEINDERS DUANE NELSON JERALD SULLIVAN MARTY SAXTON SARA GRIMM
CARL M SELVIG EDITH TEIG JERRY FLICK MARY A FISHER SHARON CANNY
CARPENTER P. OFFICE EDWIN J MAAKESTAD JIM RODBERG MAURICE JUENGER STEVEN R NITARDY
CATHY LINDERMAN ELOISE GESELL JOAN HARANG MELVIN DUENOW SUSAN E ROSS
CEDAR HILLS FARM ELVIN M ZIMMERMAN JOANNE TUCKER MERLE L ZEISET TILDA G WESEMAN
CEDAR RIVER RAILROAD EUCLIDES FORTUNATO JOHN NEPSTAD MICHAEL ADAMS TIM WURTZEL
CEDAR VALLEY ST. BNK FARMERS COOP JOHN SETER MICHAEL CHRISTIAN- TIMOTHY STUDIER
CENTRAL DISP. SYSTEMS FRANK WALK JONATHAN STOHR SON TODD SMITH
CHARLES BUCHDA GAIL BAUER JULAINE SCHIMMEL MICHAEL GARCIA TONY BOECKHOLT
CHAR-VER INC GARY DIETERICH KARL KIRCHGATTER MIKE NELSON TONY STONECYPHER
CORAL L JOHNSON GARY KOBRIGER KARL KNOKE MYRON HAUAN TRENT SMIDT
CURT R KLECKNER GEO KALB KEN NELSON NEIL HAUGEN TULLIO HOFSTAD
DALE GOOD GERALD SCHERB KENNETH D BAUER NORMA AUTHIER WARREN BRACKEY
DARLENE TROUSDALE GRANT HUFTALIN KENNETH HOFFMAN PAT THEIS WAYNE C MEYER
DAVID LARSON HALEY PARKER KENNETH KUCHEN- PAUL BREKKE WILLIAM FISER
DAVID MITCHELL HANS BENDICKSON BECKER PAUL HUISMAN WILLIAM H FELLER
DEAN LINDFLOTT HAPPY PORK INC KENNETH WEINBERGER PHILIP E BOEHM
DEAN T BUCKNELL HAROLD ARTHUR KENNETH OLSON R/S CONSULTANTS

Neighbors ReCare Consumer Authorization Form

Helping Neighbors I want to be a part of members helping members and contribute to ReCare!

ReCare provides community action Monthly Pledge: _____ $1 _____$2 _____$5 Other ________________
agencies with funds to help low- (I understand this amount will be automatically added to my monthly electric bill.)
income families pay their winter
heating bills and energy assistance, One-time contribution $____________________________________________
as well as help our member- (Checks should be made out to ReCare, %Heartland Power Cooperative)
consumers with weatherization
activities. Name: __________________________________________________________

Through the ReCare Plan, you may Address: ________________________________________________________
make a one-time contribution
or a monthly pledge that will City: __________________________________ State: _____ Zip: ___________
automatically be added to your
monthly electric bill. If you would like Billing Number: ___________________________________________________
to help, simply fill out the consumer
authorization form and return it with Please Return To: Heartland Power Heartland Power
your next bill payment. PO Box 65 PO Box 70
Thompson, IA 50478 St. Ansgar, IA 50472

[email protected] | www.heartlandpower.com | www.facebook.com/heartlandpower HEARTLAND POWER COOPERATIVE | 3

KNOW THE FACTS
BEFORE INSTALLING SOLAR

So you’re thinking about installing solar panels? We can help! As with any Ron Gasteiger,
other major purchase, it’s important to research your options carefully. Manager of Member Services

Here are a few topics you should consider before signing the papers:

1 HOW A SOLAR SYSTEM MESHES WITH COOPERATIVE
YOUR COOPERATIVE’S SYSTEM SOLAR OPTIONS
Because the sun doesn’t shine at night and some
days are cloudy, almost all consumers will still Iowa Choice Renewables
rely on the electric grid unless they have power
storage from a generator or battery. Each utility sets Did you know we offer on-site solar
appropriate policies and rates for connecting solar installations? Heartland Power and several
systems to their lines. Please be sure to contact other cooperatives across the state joined
us and ask about rate structures, interconnection, together to form Iowa Choice Renewables,
safety precautions, and other connection-related an on-site solar provider.
details in place to allocate costs fairly and keep you,
our linemen, and the public safe. With Iowa Choice Renewables, you’ll enjoy
the benefit of having your local co-op as
2 UNDERSTANDING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL the one-stop contact for all steps of the
Do you know how you are currently billed for process: from education and evaluation, to
electricity? Are you taking advantage of our electric purchase, installation, and interconnection,
heat rate? Check with us to see how installing a Iowa Choice Renewables is here to help you
solar system may effect the way you are billed. reach your energy goals.

3 THE VALUE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.iowachoicerenewables.com
Adding insulation, sealing air leaks, or upgrading
to LED lighting are cost-effective ways to reduce
your electric consumption and utility bill. Consider
energy efficiency before installing solar and you
may be able to reduce the size of PV system you
purchase substantially.

4 USAGE PROFILES & SIZING SOLAR SYSTEMS Community Solar
When installing solar, it’s not just how much
electricity you use over a given month, but also Heartland Power’s community solar array
how and when you use it. We can help review your is often the preferred renewable energy
past energy use as you determine the size and type option for cooperative members.
of system best suited to fit your needs and goals.
Designed with members in mind, the
5 UPFRONT AND LONG-TERM COSTS project is an easy, affordable option for
If you install a solar system, you will be the owner, those looking to get involved in renewables
and you’ll be responsible for the purchase price as or plan their energy costs at a known rate.
well as ongoing maintenance and repair costs for
the life of the system. It pays to spend time figuring www.heartlandpower.com/communitysolar
out all of the expenses you may be responsible
for including: installation, interconnection costs,
insurance, taxes, etc.

4 | NEWS AND VIEWS: SEPTEMBER 2017

ENERGY SAVING TIPS: LAUNDRY

Washing machines use two types of resources: electricity to
power their motors and water to do their work.

• Consider upgrading to an Energy Star • Hang clothes to dry. Air and sunlight are
washing machine. They cut utility bills by free!
an average of $50 per year and save an • Use the high-speed spin cycle on your
average of 7,000 gallons of water each washer. Clothes won’t need to dry as long.
year. • Use the “dry” sensors and automatic
• Unless it’s a very dirty load, use cold shutoff on your dryer. It will sense when
water instead of hot! clothes are done, rather than running on a
• Wash and dry only full loads. It takes timer.
roughly the same amount of water and • “Fluff” clothes and towels before putting
energy to do a small load as it does a full them in the dryer. They’ll dry faster.
load.

• Keep the dryer’s lint filter clean. >>Find more energy efficiency tips at www.heartlandpower.com

POTLUCK
FAVORITES

Recipes can be mailed or emailed to energy@heartlandpower.
com. Submissions are due November 20. Members with recipes
published in the newsletter will receive a $5.00 credit on their
next bill. Next quarter’s recipe category: holiday favorites!

Super Salad

Submitted by Ann Mayer
• 2 – 1 lb. box corkscrew pasta, cook according to package
• Cut up carrots, cauliflower, broccoli
cubed mild cheddar cheese and ham

Dressing:
• 2 cups Miracle Whip
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (-) 2 tablespoons

This makes enough for a large crowd.

Mean Salad Dressing:
• 1 c. mayo
Submitted by Lucy Knutson • ¼ c. sugar or Splenda
• 1 head of lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces* • 3 T. vinegar
• 1 head Romaine, chopped* • Chopped onion to taste or onion flakes
• ¼ to ½ head cauliflower chopped into florets
• 8 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled Mix dressing ingredients and set aside. Pour over
• ½ c. fresh grated Parmesan cheese remaining ingredients just before serving.
*I used 2 bags of hearts of Romaine

[email protected] | www.heartlandpower.com | www.facebook.com/heartlandpower HEARTLAND POWER COOPERATIVE | 5

“What equipment am I responsible for?”

Member vs. Cooperative Responsibilities

Transformer poles, meter loops, wires and breaker panels...who Dave Low
is responsible for what? When storms damage equipment or when you Director of Operations

are planning new construction, it’s good to know who is responsible for

maintenance and repairs of your electric service.

OVERHEAD SERVICE

Heartland Power is responsible for:
• Wires from the transformer to the meter pole and

electrical connections on those wires.
• The meter pole, guy wires, ground wire and

ground rods.
• The meter.

Cooperative members are responsible for:
• The meter loop, including the meter socket.
• Fuse and/or breaker panels including disconnect

switches.
• Wires leaving from the meter pole to services at

other buildings/locations and the connections for
those wires.
• Security light installation and repair. Consider
joining HPC’s security light maintenance program.

UNDERGROUND SERVICE

Heartland Power is responsible for:
• Wires running from the transformer to the meter

location and the connections.
• The meter.

Cooperative members are responsible for:
• Wires running from the meter to other locations

and those connections.
• The meter socket and mounting panel.

Questions? If you have questions regarding
member vs. cooperative equipment, please
contact Dave at 641-713-4965.

6 | NEWS AND VIEWS: SEPTEMBER 2017

IS YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE Mike Holstad
Director of System Planning
READY FOR HARVEST?

A new grain dryer, bin fan, motor, or other ag equipment can add significant additional load to
your service. If you are planning to make (or have already made) adjustments to your farming
operation, please contact the cooperative. We can check your new load and see whether you
will need any additional service equipment to adequately accommmodate your expanded
electrical needs.

If you don’t tell us, we don’t know. We don’t want you to have insufficiant power or cause an
outage during the busyness of harvest. A quick phone call now can save all of us a lot of time
and help you be ready for the season ahead.

SAFETY FIRST, EVERY TIME

Remember to be cautious around electricity and power lines. Whether in
the field or around bins, always look up and look out!

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR FARMERS:

ADJUSTING YOUR GRAIN DRYER SYSTEM?

Contact us if you are planning to make any
changes to your grain drying system before
fall, or if you have made any changes recently
so we can make sure your transformer size is
adequate for the new load. We want to make
sure everything is ready to operate properly
before harvest arrives!

Generator Safety PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

During a storm/outage in July, a member was
using an improperly connected generator, back-
feeding onto our line and causing a dangerous
electric arc resulting in a close call for one of
our contract workers working on the outage.

For the safety of our linemen, emergency
personnel, and yourself, we ask that you
please use generators safely and properly. We
are thankful everybody was okay this time, but
we may not always be so fortunate.

[email protected] | www.heartlandpower.com | www.facebook.com/heartlandpower HEARTLAND POWER COOPERATIVE | 7

Providing members with safe, reliable,
affordable electricity and enhancing the
quality of life for members and their local
communities.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Office Hours 7:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. M- F

Thompson 216 Jackson St | P.O. Box 65
Thompson, IA 50478
641.584.2251

St. Ansgar 605 East 4th St. | P.O. Box 70
St. Ansgar, IA 50472
641.713.4965 The Trading Place

Outage Reporting Thompson 641.584.2200 Any Heartland Power member or employee may submit ads free of charge. The members’
St. Ansgar 641.713.4646 name, account number and phone number are required for all ads. Ads will be printed for one
System Wide 888.417.3007 month only. We will only accept two ads per member per month. No ads will be taken over the
phone. Heartland Power reserves the right to reject ads. Please mail your ad to our office or
Digging & Line Location Call 811
email [email protected]. Deadline is the 20th of the month prior to publication.
Website www.heartlandpower.com
Email [email protected] For Sale: Farmall 450 gas tractor, For Sale: 730 Case Comfort King For Sale: 4-16’ hog panels, 2-8’
Facebook facebook.com/heartlandpower T.A., N.F., fast hitch, hydraulic load- gas tractor with heater and Cab, hog panels. Used 3 months. All
er with new cylinders and bucket, 7 foot box scraper blade with 3 $30. Call 641-590-0221.
CEO/GENERAL MANAGER Jon Leerar heat houser, straight metal, new point hitch, Schwartz Hydraulic For Sale: Insulated dog house,
rubber. $5,100. Call 641-590-1314 Loader for Case tractor with 7 needs some repair. $30 OBO. St.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 641.736.2378 Wanted: Tractor dyno for parts. foot bucket, 72-3 WOODS mower, Ansgar. Call 641-326-2248.
Richard Rosenberg, President 641.590.0049 Call Ed Zimmerman 641-228-2534. tractor chains for 16.9-34 tires, 21 For Sale: 2006 Forest River Salem
Roger Solomonson, 641.590.4400 For Sale: 29-gauge brilliant white inch Murray 4 HP gas lawn mower, LE 5th Wheel 27RLSS - 28’ 7”
641.220.0114 liner panel. 1.85’ Call Ed Zimmer- Craftsman 42 inch 20 OHV V-twin Length, 6950 Weight, 19’ Awning,
Vice President 641.420.2990 man 641-228-2534. riding lawn mower, 1995 Arctic Outside Speakers, Sleeps 6, Front
Mark Kingland, Treasurer 515.341.5444 For Sale: 2005 Maurer 40’ steel Cat 340 Puma Snowmobile with Queen Bedroom, Rear Living Room
Larry Tjaden, Secretary 641.732.4076 grain trailer, electric tarp, 2 speed electric start, 6 foot long by 4 foot with Lg Rear Window, 2 Swivel
Gary Pearson 641-590-1416 traps. 515-928-2778. wide by 76 inches tall ice fishing Rockers, Booth and Jack Knife
For Sale: 2012 Ford Focus SE hut or hunting shack on skids. Call Couch on 12’ Slide Out, Stove with
Asst. Secretary-Treasurer hatchback 2.0. 39,800 miles, 641-330-3532. Oven, Am-Fm CD, Tub Shower, Lots
Roger Tjarks, DPC Director excellent shape. $7999. Call 641- For Sale: Two Brent 640 wagons, of Storage. Included are LP Tanks
Vince Morische, Director 567-3723. $9,100 each. Brent 1194 grain cart, & Battery. This camper is ready to
Don Knudtson, Director For Sale: AC D-15 Series II 1965. tarp and scale $45,000. 641-324- go camping. Our Price $7,995. Call
Wide front, runs good, fair tires, 1565. Jeff 641.220.1549
nice paint, parade ready $4950. For Sale: 3- 8’ Cannonball Track For Sale: 2012 Dutchmen Classic
Call 641-567-3723. sections & 2 pair of door brack- 277RLS – 27’ Length, 6151 Dry
Acreage For Sale: 4 bedroom ets with rollers for sliding doors. Weight, ½ Ton Towable, Sleeps
ranch house. 1.5 baths up with $95.00 OBO. 641-715-4305. 6, Power Tongue Jack and 18’
utility room, partially finished For Sale: Bruno Chair Stairway Lift, Awning, Power Stabilizing Jacks,
basement with 1 bath, lots of 15’ long, installed and like new. Aluminum Wheels, Outside
storage, central air, 2 large decks Buyer will need to remove from Speakers, Rear Living Room Key
with 1 facing wildlife reserve area, stairway; $500. Call: 641-420- or Keyless Entry Door and Front
2 stall oversized attached garage. 6363. Master Bedroom Door, Two Swivel
Also barn and pasture on hard-sur- For Sale: Kirby Sentria Vacuum & Rockers, 13’ Slide Out Holds Large
faced road. ½ mile from Lake Carpet Shampoo System, Model U Shaped Dinette and Hide a Bed
Mills. A must see to appreciate. G10D, excellent condition; $100. Sofa with Air Mattress & Drawer,
$169,000. Call 641-592-0852. Call: 641-420-6363. Bathroom Shower and Skylight,
For Sale: 2006 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 For Sale: Brand new gazebo, 10’ di- Included are LP Tanks with Cover &
Extended Cab, 80,000 miles. Tow ameter, brown root color. Call after Battery. This camper is ready to go
pkg. CD player, sprayed bedliner 6 p.m. 641-398-2350. camping. Our Price $14,497. Call
plus other things. Auto V6. Manual For Sale: ’90 F-150 well-main- Jeff (641)220-1549.
locks and window. Sm. amount of tained with Meyer snow plow and For Sale: 24” GSI grain bin with
rust on driver’s side. Works great. 24” Unicover. $3,000 cash. 515- drying floor, fan, and unloading
Uses no oil. 641-590-0221. 293-2512. auger. Good condition. Phone 641-
To Give Away: Trumpet Vines. St. 228-9996.
Ansgar. 641-326-2248.