CHEC Hot Watts May 2024

Published monthly by Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc.

H

MAY 2024

T WATTS

Are You Prepared?

At Cookson Hills Electric, one of our primary goals is to provide members with reliable electricity. We strive to prevent outages through proper maintenance of our distribution system, proactive tree and brush clearing, and the use of technology to identify potential issues. Despite our best efforts, power outages remain a concern with all power providers.

While we take pride in restoring service as quickly as possible, we have experienced large-scale outages that can last for extended periods. For instance, the ice storm of 2000 left many Oklahomans without power for weeks and was one of the most challenging restorations in the history of Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative.

While we hope never to see such a catastrophic event again, it is wise to be prepared for an extended power outage should one occur.

Most households and businesses can manage without power for a few hours, but a power outage is more than a temporary inconvenience for many people.

Some individuals depend on medical equipment

that requires electricity to function. If you require electricity for medical or healthcare equipment, such as an oxygen supply system, monitors, stairlifts, or adjustable beds, we advise you to prepare before an outage occurs.

Here are a few steps you can take: • Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

• Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

• Make plans with a relative or friend to move to an alternative location unaffected by the outage until power is restored to your home.

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.

• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges\ • Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you.

For more information, please visit https:// www.ready.gov/ power-outages or call us at 800-3282368.

WATTS INSIDE Rebates available for members

Five ways to grow your summer energy savings

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

Rebate Money Available Is it time to replace your old hot water tank or air conditioner? Did you know that Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative has rebate incentives available for its members? That’s right! You may be eligible for a rebate if you purchase a new heat pump, programmable thermostat, hot water tank, or other qualifying equipment. The process to apply for the rebate is simple. Visit our website at https://www.cooksonhills. com/rebates, download the relevant rebate application, and follow the detailed instructions provided on the form. You can also find additional eligibility requirements on our website or call us at 800-328-2368 for assistance. We are always happy to help you.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joe Ogle, President Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer Dan Callahan, Trustee John Dillard, Trustee Dart Drummonds, Trustee Mike Rose, Trustee

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

STAFF Juli Orme, General Manager Mark Blaylock, Director of Operations Marty Huff, Director of Safety & Loss Control/ROW Coordinator Ellen Mattison, Manager of Accounting Services Kristie Cash, Manager of Office Services Jeremy Stubblefield, Chief Technology Officer Brad Martin, Director of Member/Public Relations and Economic Development Dallin Shaw, Director of Engineering Kellan Lujan, Manager of Subsidiary Accounting

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.

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

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

bit.ly/CHEConFB (case-sensitive)

2 | May 2024

3-Step HVAC Test As summer temperatures rise, so do electric bills.

Follow these steps to test the efficiency of your HVAC unit.

The outdoor temperature should be above 80 degrees, and you should set your thermostat well below the room temperature to ensure the system runs long enough for this test.

1. Using a digital probe thermometer (about $12), measure the temperature of the air being pulled into your HVAC filter.

2. Measure the temperature of the air blowing out of your A/C vent.

3. Subtract the A/C vent temperature from the HVAC filter temperature. You should see a difference of about 17 to 20 degrees. If the difference is less than 17 degrees, you may need a licensed technician to check the coolant. If the difference is greater than 20 degrees, your ductwork may need to be inspected for airflow restrictions.

Five Ways to Grow Your Summer Energy Savings

By Maura Giles One of my favorite things about summer is the opportunity for fresh, homegrown food, whether it’s shopping at the local famers’ market or sharing the abundance of garden tomatoes with a neighbor. It’s amazing how just a few seeds, some fertilizer and water can turn into a bounty.

When I think about energy efficiency, I think about that bounty of food, and how with just a few simple actions, you can use less electricity and reap the rewards of energy savings. 2950602 You don’t need to be a farmer or botanist to know that plants need water––just like you don’t have to be a lineworker or engineer to know that adjusting the thermostat or turning off lights can reduce your monthly electric bill. In fact, if you read CHEC’s publications regularly and follow us on Facebook, you know there are a lot of things you can do at home to save electricity and money.

Summer months bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. But why? Cooling your home accounts for a large portion of your monthly energy use, and the hotter it gets, the harder (and longer) your air conditioner works to keep you cool. There are several ways you can manage energy use at home, and we’re providing a few tips that can help grow your summer energy savings: 1. Raise your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temp, the more you’ll save.

2. Install window coverings like blinds or lightblocking curtains to prevent indoor heat gain during the day.

3. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Air leaks force your air conditioner to work harder and run longer than necessary.

4. Run ceiling fans for additional cooling but turn them off when you leave the room.

5. Lower your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees to reduce standby heat loss. www.cooksonhills.com | 3

Youth Tour promotion winners announced We are proud to announce the winners of our Oklahoma Youth Tour promotion. This year, we partnered with schools within our service territory to promote our Youth Tour Scholarship program.

We’re happy to say that the number of applicants who submitted essays for the scholarship almost tripled from last year, thanks to the hard work of the teachers and students.

All teachers who had a student submit an essay were eligible to have their name drawn for a cash prize, and this year’s winner was Ms. Deborah O’Neal from Webbers Falls Public Schools.

Additionally, each student who submitted an essay and each student who shared our Facebook post about the Youth Tour program had a chance to win some cash.

This year’s winners were Gracie Sturgell from Webbers Falls Schools and Cambry Cook from Stigler Schools. We want to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Youth Tour a success!

All CHEC members now have access to affordable, highspeed internet services!

Visit www.

CooksonHillsConnect.com or call 1-800-328-2368 to get started!