COOPERATIVENews & ViewsPO Box 309

Danville, IN 46122

COOPERATIVENews & Views

May 2014Volume 8, Issue 5

B&O Bicycle TourJune 7This event offers 10, 25, 45 or 62 mile loops as it winds through Hendricks County. After the ride, enjoy lunch and live music. Registration deadline for the event is May 28. Visit www.BOtrail.org for more information.

Amo Fish FryJune 12-14Enjoy an antique tractor show, games,raffles, tractor pull, bingo, parade, live entertainment and a firework display you won’t want to miss. Begins at 5:00 pm on Thurs. and Fri. and noon on Sat. Hosted by Amo Fire Department and Cascade Youth League.

Park2Park RelayJune 14Teams of runners will run 40+ miles through the parks, communities, and countryside of Hendricks County. The race benefits the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County. Visit www.park2parkrelay.org.

Taste of Hendricks CountyJune 19 | 5:00 - 8:00 pmThe Palms Banquet and Conference CenterSample local restaurants all in one spot! Tickets for this fun event can be purchased at the Hendricks County Flyer, Leadership Hendricks County and Hendricks County Community Foundation. Call (317) 272-5800 for more information.

Independence DayJuly 4 - OFFICE CLOSED

Power supply equipment is dangerous

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Delivering electricity to your home takes a variety of equipment, some of which may be sitting in your yard or neighborhood. While both adults and children may be curious, the inherent dangers of electricity provide a good reason to maintain a safe distance. Transformers Co-ops and other electric power providers sometimes install large metal cabinets in homeowners’ yards, called transformer boxes. These cabinets contain cables and other electrical equipment that converts the high-voltage electricity used in power lines to the lower voltages that serve home outlets. The boxes normally feature labels that warn of the hazards.As long as the boxes are secure, they’re perfectly safe. But children should not play on or around them. Also, we ask that homeowners don’t plant flowers or shrubs in front of them. This ensures that we are able to find the boxes quickly when we need to. Meters Electric meters are another source of power supply equipment danger and can be found on nearly every home or commercial building. A meter can easily injure someone who handles it incorrectly.If you need to have the meter disconnected to perform some electrical work in your home or business, do not try to remove it yourself or allow a handyman to remove it for you. Meters should be removed only by your electric provider. Our service crews have the correct training and equip-ment to handle meters safely. If you notice that your meter has become loose, don’t try to secure it yourself - call us right away. This is to ensure both your safety and the accuracy of your billing.Substations A third hazard that may be around your home is a substation. These are large, fenced-in areas of equipment used to change voltage in prepara-tion for delivery to customers. To an adventurous child, a substation looks a lot like playground equipment. However, high fences are built around substations for good reason. Much of the equipment carries high voltage, and it’s impossible for someone who does not work with electric power to identify which parts are energized and which are safe. If you see children playing in a substation, call 911 immediately. If a child’s kite or some other kind of toy goes into a substation, do not attempt to recover it yourself. Instead, call the power company listed on the signs.Substations also draw thieves who attempt to steal copper wire and other equipment for scrap. Some of those criminals have died or have been criti-cally injured when they tried to remove wiring that was energized. If you see anyone in a substation other than a power company employee, call the police immediately.Th

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Energy Advisor CornerSteve HiteEnergy Advisor(317) 745-5473 ext 633stevehite@hendrickspower.com

Electric co-op leaders rally on Capitol Hill

Take care when installingprogrammable thermostats

Nearly 60 leaders from Indiana’s electric cooperatives rallied in Washington, D.C. earlier this month for the annual legislative conference hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Indiana’s electric cooperative representatives joined nearly 2,500 other electric cooperative leaders from 42 states.

Hendricks Power was represented by CEO Donnis Mizelle. While on Capitol Hill, they met with the following members of Indiana’s congressional delegation and staff about issues affecting electric cooperatives and their member-owners:

• U.S. Senators Dan Coats and Joe Donnelly

• Congressmen Larry Bucshon, Todd Rokita and Marlin Stutzman and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

• Staff members representing Congressmen Luke Messer and Andre Carson Congresswoman and Susan Brooks

Cooperative leaders were also briefed on legislative and policy topics including EPA greenhouse gas regulations, the Electrify Africa Act, the Energy Saving and Industrial Competitiveness Act, distributed generation, grid security and grassroots engagement.

The NRECA Legislative Conference is held each May in Washington, D.C.

Programmable thermostats, when used correctly, have the potential to save money on your heating and cooling costs, according to ENERGYSTAR.gov. If you’re considering purchasing a programmable thermostat, it’s important to install and program it correctly to save the most energy and money. Choosing the right thermostatProgrammable thermostats are not for everyone. They’re best for families who are away during the day, and homes with HVAC systems other than heat pumps. When a heat pump works in its heating mode, setting back the thermostat can cause the unit to operate inefficiently, thereby canceling out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature. Maintaining a moderate setting is the most cost-effective practice for homes with heat pumps.If you decide a programmable thermostat is right for your home, consider which type best suits your lifestyle:• 7-day models allow you to set different

programs every day and provide the most flexibility.

• 5+2-day models follow the same schedule during the week and a different one for weekends.

• 5-1-1 models keep the same schedule during the week and different ones for Saturday and Sunday.

Many units come with multiple features, such as telling you when to change your HVAC’s air filter, settings for vacations, and voice programming options.

Installation

First, your thermostat should be situated on an interior wall, about five feet above the floor and away from heating and cooling vents and other drafty places, such as doors and windows. Also keep it away from skylights, direct sunlight or lamps. If your thermostat is not properly situated, consider having an electrician move the location.Next, shut off the electricity before you begin the replacement. Programmable thermostats require a low-voltage wiring installation and will have two to 10 wires, according to ENERGYSTAR.gov. As with any home-wiring project, safety should be the number one priority. Be sure to read all instructions carefully and exercise caution throughout the installation.If you are replacing an old thermostat that has a mercury switch, take care not to break the tube that holds the toxic metal. Refer to the instruction manual on how to wire your new thermostat. Two handy tips before you begin disconnecting wires: Using a piece of tape, label each wire with the letter of the wire’s terminal (printed on the thermostat), as these wires are not color coded. And once your old thermostat is removed from the wall, wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them from falling back into the wall.If the project is more complicated than a basic replacement, contact a certified HVAC technician to make sure the thermostat is installed properly and safely.Getting the most savingsProgrammable thermostats enhance your home’s efficiency only when set properly. To be sure to save, set the temperature back for at least eight hours at time—for example, when you’re at work during the day or asleep at night. You can save 5 percent to 15 percent per year on your heating bills by setting your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees over that period.Program the thermostat to begin warming or cooling to your desired temperature shortly before you get home or wake up, so your home is comfortable when you need it to be.The most important thing to do is set it, and then leave it alone. You should see energy savings without doing another thing to it.

Summer energy efficiency - myth vs fact

Myth: When I’m not home, keeping my air condition-er at a lower temperature throughout the day means it doesn’t have to run harder to cool my home when I return.

Fact: To save energy, set your thermostat to a higher temperature during the day, and lower it when you return home.

Myth: Closing vents on my central air conditioning systemwillboostefficiency.

Fact: Closing vents can cause the compressor to cycle too frequently and the heat pump to overload. You’ll also use more energy.

Myth: Time of day doesn’t matter when it comes to running my appliances.

Fact: Time of day does matter when running electrical loads. For example, take advantage of the delay setting and run your dishwasher at night to avoid peak times of use and save energy.

Myth: Bigger is always better when it comes to cool-ing equipment.

Fact: Too often, cooling equipment isn’t sized prop-erly and leads to higher electric bills. A unit that’s too large for your home will not cool evenly and might produce higher humidity indoors.

Office: 86 N County Rd 500 E, Avon IN 46123 | Mail: PO Box 309, Danville, IN 46122

Phone: (317) 745-5473 • (800) 876-5473 | Email: hpc@hendrickspower.com

Web: www.hendrickspower.com