Today in Mississippi May 2018 Pearl River Valley

Periodical postage (ISSN 1052 2433)

News for members of Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association

4 Smith Countian’s dream of log cabin living

14 Southern dishes

get Mexican makeover

18 Find something fun to do in Mississippi Events

10 Today in Mississippi

May 2018

PRVEPA Contact Information: Columbia: 601-736-2666 Hattiesburg: 601-264-2458

Purvis: 601-794-8051 Wiggins: 601-928-7277

To pay bills or report outages:

855-2PRVEPA (855-277-8372) Visit us on line at www.PRVEPA.com

1938 - 2018 Member owned. Locally operated. That’s the cooperative difference.

Electric cooperatives remind members to plug into safety In May, electric cooperatives across the country promote safety awareness to coincide with National Electrical Safety Month. Every year, thousands of accidents occur due to shock hazards, and Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association, a not-for-profit electric utility, is committed to educating the public about potential electrical dangers in the home.

In 2016, 475,500 structure fires (including residential fires) were reported in the U.S., causing 2,950 deaths, 12,775 injuries

and $7.9 billion in property damage. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a residential fire was reported every 90 seconds. Many home fires occur when electrical equipment is outdated or improperly used.

“It is critical that members understand their home’s electrical system and the safety concerns associated with the latest residential technologies before bringing them into their homes,” explains Randy Wallace, general manager. “With newer technologies, such as solar panels and more electrical gadgets in the home, people need to ensure they have an electrical system that’s compatible with the increased load.”

Through electrical safety awareness and education, we can all play a part in preventing electrical hazards and injuries in the future. For more information about electric safety, go to www.PRVEPA.com.

PLUG into SAFETY

May is National Electrical Safety Month

Pearl River Valley Electric offices will be closed Monday, May 28 Dispatchers will remain on duty and crews will be on call throughout the holiday weekend.

Let’s all spend time this Memorial Day honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our country and freedom.

This month, we encourage all members to take extra time to plug into safety.

#ElectricalSafetyMonth

May 2018 Today in Mississippi

When is the last time you cleaned your water heater?

Your water heater most likely will last for 15 years. A little attention a couple of times a year can keep it humming along the whole time.

Every few months, drain about a quarter of the water from the tank. That removes any sediment and debris that has found its way to the bottom of the tank. It also will quiet the unit down so it doesn’t make as much noise when it runs.

To do that, turn off the water, and connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain value. Run the water into a bucket until the water turns from cloudy to clear.

Also: Move boxes, tools or whatever you store near the water tank so they’re at least two feet away from it. It’s a good idea to give the tank “breathing room.”

Lower the heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees. That will reduce the risk that someone in your family will get scalded in the shower.

Annual air conditioner maintenance time is here Every spring, before the weather gets too warm, call a qualified service technician to inspect and tune-up your air conditioning unit.

During this annual maintenance visit, the tech will be able to tell you if your a/c will make it through the summer or if it needs some repairs. If the unit is old, the service technician might recommend that you replace it.

In addition, you can do two things on your own to make sure your a/c stays in good working order: 1. Clean or replace the air conditioner filter. If you have a reusable filter, wash it and dry it every month during the summer. If you have a disposable filter, replace it.

A dirty filter can get clogged with dust and dirt, and that can restrict the air flow. That will make your system work extra-hard to cool your house, which wastes energy and can drive up your electric bill.

Plus, a dirty filter can push dust back into the home, which makes the air less healthy, especially if someone in your family has allergies or asthma.

2. Keep the area around the outside of the air conditioner unit clean. Remove dirt, grass and any debris that has collected around it so those things don’t restrict its air flow. Trim shrubs away so they don’t touch it.

You also should rinse your unit every now and then—but shut off the power to the unit first. A tip: Never use a power washer to clean the outdoor unit.

Considering installing solar panels at your home or business? Call us first!

Solar energy systems are becoming more popular in our region, but there are numerous safety issues and regulatory compliance requirements to understand before installing a solar generation system, regardless of its size. Private solar generation systems attached to Pearl River Valley Electric’s distribution lines are considered to be the equivalent of any other standard generation facility. Therefore, prior to installing solar generation at your home or business, PRVEPA members must contact the Association concerning installation, operation and safety requirements.

Call us. We can help answer any questions you might have.

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