CHEC Hot Watts July 2020

Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

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JULY 2020

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WATTS WATTS INSIDE >> page 2

Electricity remains a good value >> page 3

Efficiency tips for outdoor shops and barns >> page 4

Upcoming meetings for Districts 5, 7

We’re Here to Help You Save CHEC is here for you, and given the challenging times we’ve all experienced the last few months, I’d like to share some information and ideas to help you save energy and money.

Summer is a great time to conduct an energy audit of your home and identify ways to boost energy efficiency. Understanding how your home uses energy can help you determine the best ways to modify energy use and keep more money in your wallet.

An energy audit is one of the best ways to determine how energy efficient your home is––an audit can also identify areas for potential energy savings. We have several qualified energy auditors in our local area. Be sure to hire a professional who will conduct a thorough audit of your

home. If you’d prefer to do an energy audit yourself, try ENERGY STAR®’s online audit. Visit www.energystar.gov, then enter “home energy yardstick” in the search box to get started. But keep in mind, an online audit won’t be as thorough as an in-home audit.

Shifting to off-peak periods Electric rates based on time of use offer co-op members the ability to lower their electricity costs without reducing the amount of electricity used.

By performing some of your daily chores such as running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours (when people are using less electricity), you can see meaningful savings on your energy bills. Use your programmable thermostat to adjust the settings so that your heating and continued on page 2

Happy Independence Day! CHEC offices will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. You may report outages via your SmartHub mobile app or by calling 1-800-328-2368. Have a safe holiday!

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. Headquarters Office PO Box 539 • 1002 E. Main Stigler, OK 74462 800-328-2368

We’re here to help you save,

Branch Office PO Box 587 • 1800 KOA/Power Drive Sallisaw, OK 74955 918-775-2211 Pay-by-Phone: 1-888-678-1937 www.cooksonhills.com Alternate Emergency Only: 918-552-0016

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, Vice President Rocky Woods, Sr., Trustee Vacant John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Vacant Ronnie Pevehouse, Trustee

District 6 District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 7

STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Chris Morris, Chief Financial Officer Jason Fontaine, Director of Engineering Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations — Stigler Marty Huff, Director of Operations — Sallisaw Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services

Russell V. Barber, General Counsel Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. welcomes members to submit photos, and articles which will be subject to editing. Cookson Hills reserves the right to publish or modify any article.

Companies and individuals featured in the Hot Watts newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or view of Cookson Hills.

continued from page 1 air conditioning systems sync track of your energy use straight with the off-peak rate periods. Use from CHEC’s SmartHub mobile automatic timers to run hot tubs, app. Industry studies show that pool pumps, water heaters and consumers who participate in other appliances in the same way. prepaid metering plans use up to Be sure to program the timers to 10% less electricity. [43800] coincide with the Lastly, if you less expensive have recently If you have questions off-peak times. purchased a new about your bill or additional ways to ENERGY STAR®Putting save energy, please let rated appliance power in your us know. We’re only or product, make hands one click or phone call sure you are taking Prepaid away. advantage of any metering is special offers or intended to rebates that are available. aide in budgeting your monthly As your trusted energy advisor, energy costs. CHEC members we’re here to help. If you have can pay for electricity before it questions about your bill or is used, then use the electricity additional ways to save energy, until the credit expires. During please let us know. We’re only the time period you’ve paid for, you will receive regular feedback one click or phone call away. on your balance. You can keep

ELECTRICITY REMAINS A GOOD VALUE

The cost of powering your home rises slowly when compared to other common expenses. Looking at price increases over the last five years, it’s easy to see electricity remains a good value!

Average Annual Price Increase 2014-2019 Percent

4.0

3.7%

3.5

3.0%

3.0

2.6%

2.5

bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)

Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2.0

1.0 0.5 0

If you find your account number hidden in this issue of the Hot Watts, you’ll receive a $25 credit on your electric bill.

2 | July 2020

0.4%

1.5

Rent

Medical Care

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index

Education

Electricity

Efficiency tips for outdoor shops and barns

By Meghaan Evans

There are many benefits to having an energy efficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe; save money on your water bill; keep your animals happier and healthier; and save you from costly structural repairs.

Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient.

Are you planning to build a new structure on your property?

Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency: X Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn.

Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors.

X Start with a sustainable design plan. A sustainable design plan, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes the ability to use environmentally preferable products; protect and conserve water; enhance indoor environmental quality; and optimize operational and maintenance practices.

X If you are hiring a contractor to help build your structure, make sure you look for companies who specialize in “green” buildings and energy efficient practices.

X Choose efficient building

methods. Pole barns offer increase in ceiling height. A reliable shelter without costly ceiling fan can help keep warm excavation, concrete foundations air close to the ground in the or general site disruption. winter, and circulate fresher, Follow these tips to make energy cooler air in the summer. Not efficient upgrades to an existing only will this help with energy structure: costs, it will also help keep X Replace indoor lighting with the air in the building from energy efficient LED bulbs. becoming hot and stagnant, X Ensure your existing structure which will keep harmful has adequate insulation levels. bacteria from building and will X Choose outdoor lighting keep insects at bay. designed to be energy efficient, To learn more about how to and install motion detectors make your outdoor shop or barn to reduce energy consumption more energy efficient, contact the when not in use. energy experts at CHEC. X Plant trees around your metal shed or barn. In colder climates, trees act as a windbreak, and in warmer climates, trees have a natural cooling effect that can reduce average cost temperatures of a Big Mac® in your metal value meal building 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

X Consider adding a ceiling fan average daily to circulate cost of power air. Typically, Electricity is expressed on a there is a daily basis using EIA 2018 Average U.S. Monthly Residential Bill of $117.

2 degree Big Mac® is a registered trademark of McDonald’s Corporation. McDonald’s Fahrenheit Corporation does not endorse or sponsor this material. temperature Sources: Economist.com and EIA, 2018 data. increase for every one-foot

THE VALUE OF ELECTRICITY

$5.30

$3.87

www.cooksonhills.com | 3

Energy Efficiency

Tip of the Month Spending more time at home? Try an online energy audit to assess the overall efficiency of your home. Visit www.energystar.gov, then enter “home energy yardstick� in the search box to get started.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy

Upcoming District Meetings CHEC sent out letters June 1 to members residing in District 5 detailing information for the District 5 meeting. The board of trustee seat for District 5 is currently vacant due to the passing of long time Trustee, Mr. Kenneth Kelley.

For members residing in District 7, post cards announcing district meeting information will be mailed out July 1 to members residing in this district.

An official notice for each district meeting will be mailed out at a later date.

If you reside in Districts 5 or 7, please read these documents carefully for detailed information related to each District Meeting and the qualifications for members seeking election.

If you have questions about the District Meetings, please contact us at 800328-2368 or 918-775-2211.

Vacant

District 5

District 7

Aug. 17, 6 p.m.

Stigler High School Auditorium

Aug. 18, 5 p.m.

Webbers Falls School Cafeteria

2020 ANNUAL MEETING October 3, 2020

While details surrounding our 2020 Annual Meeting are in the works, we can share with you a change

in location to the Stigler High School football stadium parking area.

Stay tuned for more information next month!