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taylorelectric.com18 Texas Co-op Power TAYLOR EC June 2020
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
CEO CORNER
CEO CORNER
Ryan Bartlett,
President / CEO
It’s a familiar scene: poles and wires stretching into the distance alongside a
rural highway. This image might appear no di�erent now than it did many years ago. But there are changes.
Invisible to most of us is an overlay of new equipment—microchips, sensors and fiber-optic lines—linking remote distribu-tion infrastructure to the utility’s operations center using advanced communications technology.
Those familiar poles and wires are now part of a smart grid that can be operated using software and automation.
For electric cooperatives, digitization of electric infrastructure kicked into high gear in 2013, when the U.S. Department of Energy funded technology research at 23 co-ops across the country. That part-nership has now evolved into a robust research program exploring everything from drones and smart solar inverters to cybersecurity training and carbon capture technology.
Here are some of the ways co-op mem-bers are already benefiting from a smarter grid:
Fewer power outages. In certain situa-tions, smart feeder switching can reroute power around problems such as downed power lines, which reduces the number of people a�ected by an outage.
Prepay programs. Prepay billing pro-grams no longer impose hefty reconnec-tion fees because, thanks to advanced digital meters, the co-op doesn’t need to send out a truck to physically reconnect the home.
Savings from increased e�ciency. Many of the new technologies are improving the e�ciency of co-op operations—from reducing the amount of electricity lost in transmission to reducing the need for sending out trucks. These savings are passed on to co-op members.
Improved safety for co-op workers and members. The data from smart technol-ogies provides utility operators a more detailed view of what is happening on the electric system. Co-ops have found that the data can help them identify electrical hazards more quickly.
So the next time you are driving down a long highway and you see poles and wires stretching far into the distance, know there’s more to that system than meets the eye. While the electricity in your home powers the toaster just as it always did, that electricity is more e�cient, more reli-able and safer thanks to innovation made possible by cooperation.
CEO Electric co-ops contribute to a smarter power grid
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226 County Road 287 • P.O. Box 250 Merkel, TX 79536
PRESIDENT/CEO
Ryan Bartlett
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cecil Davis, Board Chairman, Zone 1Leland Robinson, Board Vice Chairman, Zone 1David McFall, Secretary-Treasurer, Zone 2 Garland Carter, Zone 2 Richard Petree, At-LargeKathryn Rainey, Zone 3Gay Simmons, Zone 3
HANDY WAYS TO PAY YOUR BILLOnline taylorelectric.com
Taylor Electric AppAvailable on your Apple or Android device
By Phone (325) 793-8500 Payments credited immediately.
In PersonO�ce hours: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Merkel location:226 CR 287, Merkel 79536
Abilene location: 7966 Highway 83, Abilene 79602Payments credited immediately.
Drop BoxMerkel o�ce at front gate Abilene o�ce next to first door on the leftPayments credited next business day.
Pay Stations• United Supermarket, 521 S. Access
Road, Clyde • Food Plaza #4, 109 S.E. Fifth St., Cross
Plains• Cash Saver, 155 Sayles Blvd., Abilene• United Supermarket, 2160 Pine St.,
Abilene• Check Express, 906 E. Broadway Ave.,
SweetwaterPayments credited next business day.
WHILE TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE OFTEN FOCUSES ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY, THEREare many other dangers lurking out there. In recognition of National Safety Month,we’re sharing the National Safety Council’s list of the top causes of preventableinjuries and death away from the workplace.
1. Poisoning. In 2011, poisonings overtook car crashes for the first time as theleading cause of unintentional injury-related death for all ages combined. Poisoningdeaths are caused by gases, chemicals and other substances, but prescription drugoverdose is by far the leading cause.
2. Vehicle crashes. Crashes are the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death overall. Impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and inexperi-ence can cause a life to be cut short in the blink of an eye.
3. Falls. Falling is the third-leading cause of unintentional injury-related deathover all age groups, but it’s the No. 1 cause of death for those 65 and older.
4. Choking and suffocation. Choking on food or other objects is a primary cause.Suffocation and choking rank higher among the elderly and infants.
5. Drowning. It’s the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1–4, mostly due to chil-dren falling into pools or being left alone in bathtubs.
6. Fires and burns. Fires often start at night, when families are asleep and mostvulnerable. A working smoke alarm will cut in half the chances of dying in a fire.
7. Natural and environmental incidents. Weather-related disasters claim hundredsof lives per year. You should learn all you can about emergency preparedness andalways have an emergency kit on hand.
June Is NationalSafety Month
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taylorelectric.com20 Texas Co-op Power TAYLOR EC June 2020
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
THERE ARE ABOUT 24,000 ELECTRICAL FIRES PER YEAR IN THE U.S., ACCORDING TO THEU.S. Fire Administration. Although most electrical fires start in the bedroom, themost fatal fires start in the living room, family room and den. Check the followingareas of your home to ensure your home’s electrical safety is up to par.
Electrical outlets: Faulty electrical outlets are a leading cause of home fires. Asoutlets age, so do the wires behind them that you can’t see. Any loose, damaged orwarm-to-the-touch outlets should be repaired or replaced.
Electrical wiring: Outdated wiring is another common cause of electrical fires.Frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights and burning smells are clear warningsigns. If your home is more than 20 years old, it may not be able to handle today’sincreased power load. If you suspect your home’s wiring is outdated, leave this oneto the pros and contact a qualified electrician.
Overloaded cords and outlets: Extension cords are not permanent solutions. Ifyour big-screen TV, home theater system and other electronics are plugged intoextension cords, it’s time to call an electrician and install additional outlets.
Old appliances: Older appliances are more likely to have loose or damaged wiring,which means they’re more likely to catch fire. Check older appliances for damageand determine if it’s time to upgrade or replace. Also check to ensure you’re usingappliance-grade outlets. A qualified electrician can help with installation.
Light fixtures: Light fixtures, lamps and lightbulbs are other common culpritsbehind electrical fires. Installing a bulb with a wattage too high for a lamp or light fix-ture is a leading cause of electrical fires. Always check the maximum recommendedbulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp and never go over the recommendation.Keep flammable materials like cloth and paper away from light fixtures. The mate-rial can heat up and ignite, causing a fire. Faulty lamps and light fixtures also cancause fires.
5 Common Culpritsof Electrical Fires
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Fried Rice 2 eggs¼ teaspoon salt3 tablespoons peanut oil, divided use3 green onions, sliced1 cup shrimp or cubed chicken or pork1 cup snow peas, cut diagonally½ cup roasted cashews, pecans or
peanuts3 cups jasmine rice, cooked and
cooled2 tablespoons soy sauce
1. Beat eggs with salt. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a largeskillet or wok. Add onions and eggmixture. Stir-fry until set. Removefrom pan.3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add shrimp,chicken or pork; stir-fry 5–10 min-utes or until cooked through. Addsnow peas and nuts. Stir-fry an addi-tional 2 minutes, then remove frompan and set aside.4. Add the final tablespoon of oil andheat. Add rice, stirring to heat. Stir insoy sauce, meat mixture and cookedegg.5. Combine all ingredients and stirgently to heat through.a Serves 4.
Find this and more delicious recipes online at
TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM
DAV I D O M E R
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
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DECIDING TO FIX A LARGE HOME APPLIANCE OR BUY A NEW ONEinstead often becomes a time-consuming, stress-inducing rid-dle—compounded by the fact that it could become an expensivemistake in the long run.
It can be one of the toughest decisions for a homeowner,and no matter how you look at it, some complicated math isinvolved. If you’re looking for a quick answer, here’s a good ruleof thumb: Do not spend more than 50% of the cost of a newproduct on the repair of an old one. This is not a hard and fastrule but a guideline to consider.
Appliances are designed by manufacturers to last a certainamount of time, but some may last longer or shorter thanexpected, just like any other product. Here are a few things toconsider as you ponder your decision to repair or replace.
Are you planning to move soon?If so, you may just want to keepthe appliance functioning untilyou’re gone. If you think you’rethere for the long haul, replace-ment may be a better option.Do you think you’ll be remodel-
ing at some point soon? If so, holdoff until you can plan for all newappliances as part of the remodel.Most people don’t like mismatchedappliances, so if you are going toreplace one, you’re probablygoing to want to purchase theothers in the set (washers anddryers, for instance).How much wear and tear do you
put on the appliance? If it’s anappliance you use almost everyday, you can of course anticipateit might need professional repairsooner than if you only occasion-ally use it.
According to ConsumerReports, washers used seven ormore times per week are almosttwice as likely to require repair aswashers used three or fewertimes per week. But infrequentlyused machines benefit from regu-larly scheduled maintenance, sobe sure to have them serviced andmaintained in accordance withtheir manufacturer’s suggestions.
How old is the appliance? As appliances age and get closer tothe end of their expected life span, major repairs become lessand less cost-effective. Replacing an older, inefficient appliancewith a newer, more energy-efficient model may qualify you fora rebate and will definitely reduce utility bills.Is this the first time the appliance has needed repair or the 10th?
Several repairs over the past few years are a sign that it mightjust be time to replace the older appliance, as the probability ofyet another repair call in the future goes up. Is the appliance still under warranty? Be sure to check that first.
If your appliance is under warranty (many manufacturers offera 12-month warranty), pursue the repairs or replacementthrough a factory-authorized repair center to prevent voidingthe warranty.
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Repair or Replace? The Appliance Dilemma
THE REPAIR-OR-REPLACE CHALLENGEAPPLIANCE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY AVERAGE COST TO REPLACE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIRStove/oven 13–17 yrs for electric range $400–$1,400 $100–$200Washer 10–13 years $400–$900 $50–$150Dryer 13–14 years $400–$900 $100–$400Refrigerator 13–17 years $500–$2,000 $200–$400Dishwasher 9–10 years $300–$700 $150–$250
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taylorelectric.com22 Texas Co-op Power TAYLOR EC June 2020
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
TAYLOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Power TipDuring the summer, put your grill to use. Cooking outdoors is a greatway to save energy and eliminateunwanted heat from cooking indoors.
V I S UA L G E N E RAT I O N | I STO C K .CO M
Did You Know? Two of the top five biggest windfarms are in Texas: the RoscoeWind Project in West Texas and the Los Vientos Wind Farm inSouth Texas.
I N A K I A N TO N A N A | I STO C K .CO M
GARDENING MAY SEEM LIKE A SAFE HOBBY—AND FOR THE MOST PART, IT IS—BUT IT CANlead to injury. Emergency rooms treat more than 400,000 injuries each year related tooutdoor garden tools, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Trimming trees and tall bushes can take a deadly turn when electricity isinvolved. Never trim a tree that has grown into a power line. Metal and wood lad-ders can transmit electricity into your body if you come into contact with a livewire. Instead, ask your electric cooperative to send a professional to trim the tree.
Here are more tips to help keep your gardening chores safe:a At least three days before you begin a landscaping project that entails digging,
call 811 to have underground utility lines marked.aNever garden, trim trees or cut the lawn in bad weather. Wet and windy con-
ditions can cause slipping and other hazards. Go inside immediately if you seelightning.
aOnly outlets protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters should be used forelectric tools and trimmers. Never use tools outdoors when it’s wet.
aWhenever possible, work in pairs so you’re not using electrical equipmentwhen nobody else is around—in case of an accident. And hire a professional if youdoubt your ability to safely complete the job.
a Always wear the proper clothing and safety equipment for the task at hand.Gloves, eye and hearing protection, and dust masks can help prevent injuries andillnesses.
aUse the right tools for the job and use them safely. If you are using electrictools, watch where the cord is and unplug tools when not in use.
aKeep garden tools and equipment in proper working order. Equipment that isnot maintained properly leaves the door open for potential accidents.
a Stay hydrated, use insect repellent and sunscreen (don’t forget your face, neckand ears), and take breaks as needed to rest those hardworking muscles.
Grow Your Garden Safely
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IT MAY SEEM LIKE COMMON SENSE TO KEEP KITES AWAY FROM OVERHEAD POWERlines, but a child enjoying a breezy summer day might not even notice whenthey’re playing too close to electrical wires. What your children learn from youtoday can be a lifesaver later when they encounter a downed power line or thinkabout climbing a tree.
Teach your children how to play it safe around live wires. Some good lessons forthem include:Stay away from electrical substations. If a ball or pet gets inside the fence, contact
your electric cooperative for assistance—we’ll come and get it out for you.Don’t fly kites, drones, balloons or other flying devices anywhere near power lines.
It’s important to look up and move far away if power lines are present.Avoid climbing trees near power lines. A child could be shocked or even killed in a
tree that is energized with electricity.Never throw anything onto or over a power line. If a kite or other toy gets caught in
the wires, leave it there and call the electric cooperative.Keep all electrical appliances and toys away from water, including lawn sprinklers,
swimming pools, hoses, rain, etc. Stay away from guy wires, green transformer boxes, electric meters and breaker boxes.Never touch an electrical device if you are wet, standing in water or in a pool.Never go swimming during a storm, especially when you hear thunder or see lightning.
Electricity and water do not mix, and swimming during a storm puts you at risk.Never attempt to climb a utility pole or substation fence.Call 911 if you spot a downed line, and don’t go anywhere near it. Assume all lines
are energized and dangerous.
Safety Under the Sun
Surprise Newlywedsand Grads With anEnergy-Efficient Gift
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IT’S WEDDING AND GRADUATION SEA-son. Why not make a difference in thelives of those you’re buying gifts for?
Grads and newlyweds who are fur-nishing their first homes need everythingfrom small kitchen appliances, like toast-ers and mixers, to powerhouse machineslike vacuum cleaners. If that’s the giftyou’d like to give, consider selecting anenergy-efficient model.Here are some ideas:a Microwave ovens and slow cookers
use less energy than the oven or stove-top to cook meals, and they often requireless effort.
aWrap up an electric blanket as agift to help your friends stay warm in thewinter and reduce heating bills. Chooseone with an automatic shut-off for safety.
a A ceiling fan is a unique gift thatanyone in a new home will appreciateyear-round. Choose one in a style thatmatches the décor of your friends’ homeand offer to have it installed for them.
a And a high-quality, shock-absorb-ing power strip never goes out of styleand is always welcome. Plus, it’s a prettysure bet that nobody else will give thatgift but you.
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