coloradocountrylife.coop MARCH 2017 7

WHITE RIVER ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION

[White River]

AA SOLID INVESTMENT IN YOUR ELECTRIC CO-OPBY ALAN MICHALEWICZ || GENERAL MANAGER || AMICH@WREA.ORG

As a member of White River Electric Association, you make an investment in the co-op every time you pay your bill. This collec-tive investment in the co-op benefits you and the community we serve. So what exactly is this monthly investment and how do you benefit from it?

The “service charge” that you see on your monthly bill is a re-curring charge used to offset the cost of maintaining the overall electric system. Maintaining poles, wires, substations and co-op equipment and combating cyber security threats takes strategic planning and significant resources. The service charge helps en-sure that all equipment operates properly and staff is trained and ready so the lights turn on when you need them.

Regardless of how much electricity a particular family uses, the cost of delivering power to that house is the same. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we believe the operational costs should be spread equitably across similar consumers, such as residential,

commercial, irrigation and industrial, regardless of the amount of electricity used each month. That is why every member pays a customer charge each month to help cover basic operational costs for their electric service require-ments. In essence, each member contributes to White River Electric’s operational costs.

Your monthly service charge pro-vides you access to safe, reliable and affordable power when you need it. We appreciate and value the investment that you make in the co-op each month, and we strive to use that investment wisely for the benefit of all members of our community.

Alan J. Michalewicz

[White River][White River]

MARCH 20178 coloradocountrylife.coop

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Outdoor play time amps up as warmer days approach. Be sure your children are aware of how dangerous it is to climb trees near power lines. A tree tangled in a power line can be-come energized with electricity and climbing that tree can lead to electric shock or death.

CLIMB WITH CAUTION

STAY SAFE WHEN FLOODS ARISEWith spring rain comes the risk of flash flooding and water seep-age in homes. Water in unexpected places can cause significant damage and hide hazards. Safe Electricity provides tips to edu-cate consumers on how to stay safe when flood conditions arise.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an average of 165 people are killed and about $2 billion of damage occurs from floods each year.

Flash floods result in quickly moving water that can sweep away objects in its path. Such flooding develops within hours and, in addition to the destruction caused, the waters can also cover up electrical hazards.

Six inches of rapidly flowing water can knock over an adult and 2 feet can carry away a vehicle. The speed and depth of flood waters are often difficult to visually assess. If you are walking or driving and you see rising waters, remember the National Weather Service’s advice: turn around, don’t drown.

Be on the lookout for downed power lines, which could be covered by flood waters. If you see a downed line while walking or driving, stay far away and call 911 immediately.

Flooding in homes also presents significant electrical hazards. The Washington Post reported a tragic accident in June 2015 in which a mother and her young daughter died when flood waters in their home became electrified by a sump pump in their base-ment. Heavy rains in the area caused widespread flooding in homes and streets.

Water and electricity make a dangerous combination, so keep these safety tips in mind:

• If your home floods and the electricity was not turned off beforehand, do not enter any room where water may be in

contact with electrical equipment or outlets.• Keep in mind that electrical equipment does not have to be

visibly arcing or sparking to be dangerous.• Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you

must stand in water to do so. If you cannot reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.

Even after the water recedes, there are important safety steps yet to take. Have an electrician check the condition of your home before you turn the power on after a flood. Before turning on an appliance that was wet, make sure it is inspected by a service repair worker.

Storm debris can hide dangers, such as downed power lines. Use caution in any cleanup effort. Any downed or sagging power lines, or stray wires and debris in contact with them should all be considered energized and potentially dangerous. Stay away, warn others to stay away and call White River Electric Association im-mediately.

AFTER THE STORM

[White River]

9MARCH 2017

Emerging Outdoor Lighting TechnologiesBY TOM TATE

Emerging technologies for outdoor lighting are coming in the form of new controls and networking capabilities. More on that shortly, but first, here is a quick recap of the lighting family tree.

All electric light sources have a common ancestor: Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb. Most of us think of the incan-descent bulb as strictly residential in application, but in the beginning, it was all we had to work with. As a result, incan-descent bulbs of various sizes were used for outdoor lighting. Unfortunately, incandescent bulbs have a relatively short life, and early versions had a relatively weak output. Still, any light on previously dark streets was an improvement.

As interest in energy conservation began to take hold, new bulbs surfaced, including high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and compact fluorescent bulbs.

Today, light-emitting diode light sources shine in the spot-light. These light sources have a number of advantages:

• LEDs use less energy. Replacing an HPS light with an LED alternative delivers an immediate 50 percent in-crease in energy savings.

• The color of light produced is much more appealing and can be tuned if desired

• Light from an LED source is easily focused to eliminate light pollution

• LED sources have longer life spans• LED sources are much more durable since there are no

filaments or electrodes to be damaged.As mentioned in the beginning of this article, the next tech-

nological advances in outdoor lighting are coming in the areas of control and networking. Control of outdoor lights today is pretty rudimentary and focused solely on turning them on and off at particular times or in response to motion.

LEDs are electronic devices and lend themselves especially well to control and networking strategies. What might be the capabilities garnered from advanced control and networking of outdoor LED lights?

• Ever notice that some streetlights seem to be out for a long time? With a networked system, the light itself can tell system operators it needs changing if it’s out or if it will soon need changing, resulting in improved main-tenance. When changed before or shortly after the light

fails, the effectiveness of the system and peoples’ satisfac-tion is greatly improved.

• Varying the light output on a time or event basis can save energy and improve safety and security. Examples include reducing output when fewer people are spending time outdoors, increasing output during outdoor events and creating a “light path” for emergency responders to and from the site.

• Color output can be tuned for special events or to meet specific needs and requests.

Outdoor lighting is an essential aspect of modern life. Well-lit streets are safer for drivers and pedestrians, a deterrent to criminal activity and add to the overall image of a town, neigh-borhood or home.

The quest for energy savings, improved light quality and reduced maintenance costs has driven the evolution of outdoor lighting. Is the LED the end of the lighting family tree? Not likely. But for now, the next big thing will be the application of control and networking technologies to gain additional benefits from the highly efficient LED.

When you are in the market for a new outdoor area light, consider contacting White River Electric Association. WREA can help you choose the best lighting option for your home, and it may eventually come with an app. Now that’s a bright idea!

Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

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[White River]

Do you want to save money and electricity but have limited time, money and patience? According to the U.S. Department of En-ergy, a typical American family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Much of that money, however, is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances or inefficient heating and cooling systems.

Luckily, there are several relatively easy ways to save energy without a substantial commitment of time and money. These efforts will help you save whether you own or rent an older or newly constructed home. And you won’t have to hire a specialist or call in a favor from someone who is handy with tools to help you.

Where to startAccording to Money magazine, improving the envelope of your home is a good place to start. Sunlight, seasonal temperature changes and wind vibrations can loosen up even a tight home, increasing air leakage. Doors and windows may not close tightly, and ductwork can spring leaks, wasting cooled and heated air. By placing weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors, you can keep cool air inside during warm months and prevent chilly air from penetrating the indoors during colder months. Sealing gaps around piping, dryer vents, fans and outlets also helps to seal the envelope and creates greater efficiency. Apply weather stripping around overlooked spaces like your attic hatch or pull-down stairs.

Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can make a big difference in home efficiency and is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bill. Known for their longevity and efficiency, LED bulbs have an estimated operational life span of typically 10,000 to 20,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours of a typical incandes-cent. According to the DOE, by replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that earned the Energy Star rating, you can save $75 each year.

Wrapping up savingsInstalling a blanket around your water heater could reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and save you about 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs, according to the DOE. For a small investment of about $30, you can purchase precut jackets or blankets and install them in about one hour. On a safety note,

the DOE recommends that you not set the thermostat above 130 degrees on an electric water heater with an insulating jacket or blanket; the higher temperature setting could cause the wiring to overheat.

Given that a large portion of your monthly energy bill goes toward heating and cooling your home, it makes sense to ensure your home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is performing at an optimal level. Checking, changing or cleaning your filter extends the life of your HVAC system and saves you money.

Air filters prevent dust and allergens from clogging your HVAC system. Dust and dirt trapped in a system’s air filter lead to several problems, including reduced airflow in the home and up to 15 percent higher operating costs; lowered system effi-ciency; and costly duct cleaning or replacement. Many HVAC professionals recommend cleaning the system filters monthly. A simple task like changing the filters on your HVAC system makes your unit run more efficiently, keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Take control of your energy savingsTake a look at your programmable thermostat. When was the last time you checked to make sure it was programmed for the current season and family schedule? This is one of the best energy-saving tools at your fingertips. It enables you to fine tune the temperature during particular hours of the day. Many models allow you to differentiate between weekday and weekend sched-ules, and internet-connected thermostats can learn your schedule and make adjustments automatically. Most models come with an override option so you can make manual adjustments without losing overall programming. You can only achieve these effi-ciencies and savings if it is programmed properly and adjusted periodically to keep pace with changes in household routines.

Remember, there are easy steps you can take now to improve the energy efficiency of your home. To learn about additional ways to save, reference www.wrea.org for links to Touchstone Energy’s “Together We Save” consumer page. Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

EASY STEPS TO GREATER EFFICIENCYBY ANNE PRINCE