H T WATTS
Thank You, Members!
Thank you to all our members for making the 76th Annual Membership Meeting a success! Over 750 members attended the meeting on October 5th. Those who came had the chance to meet with CHEC trustees, employees, and fellow members, and heard an important message from General Manager Juli Orme. Attendees received a complimentary gift bag, a $20 credit on their electric bill, and the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. They also enjoyed live music, and many lucky winners took home great prizes, including one lucky winner who won $650 in cash. The kids’ zone featured face painting, an inflatable money machine, and the opportunity for kids to ride in one of the big bucket
trucks. We’re extremely grateful to all our members and we hope everyone who attended had a great time at the event.
Capital credits coming in November and December
page 2 Is a mini-split unit right for your home?
page 4
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
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Joe Ogle, President District 6
Rocky Woods, Sr., Vice President District 1
Ronnie Pevehouse, Sec/Treasurer District 7
Dan Callahan, Trustee District 2
John Dillard, Trustee District 3
Dart Drummonds, Trustee District 4
Mike Rose, Trustee 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
Austin Poindexter, Director of Operations
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.
Capital Credits Coming in November and December
The Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees has authorized the distribution of $779,210.61 to be credited to members of the cooperative who purchased electricity during parts of 1990, 2003, 2004, and 2005. The credits will be issued during November and December. Active account holders will see the credit as a PATRONAGE CAPITAL RETIREMENT on their bill. CHEC will issue a paper check to recipients for inactive accounts eligible for capital credit, which will be mailed through the USPS.
Cookson Hills Electric is a not-for-profit organization owned by the members we serve. At the end of each year, CHEC subtracts operating expenses from the operating revenue collected during the year. The balance is called margins. These margins are allocated to members as capital credits based on how much electricity the member purchased during a particular year.
If you have any questions about capital credits, please feel free to call us at 800-328-2368, and we will be happy to assist you.
A Life on the Line
Recently, CHEC’s linemen completed Pole-Top Rescue training held at our Sallisaw office and led by Wade Hurst, Senior Loss Control Specialist for the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives.
Occurring annually, Pole-Top Rescue training is designed to teach linemen how to execute proper rescue procedures if the need arises, all while doing so in a safe, efficient, and timely manner. Once it has been determined that a lineman has made contact with electricity or has had a medical issue leaving them unresponsive, a crew member will make the mayday call, climb to the rescue position, and use a rescue rope to lower the injured lineman to the ground. 1453004
Marty Huff, Director of Safety and Loss Control for CHEC, noted that for training purposes the goal is to go through the entire procedure in four minutes or less. “This is to help simulate a real life situation,” stated Huff. “A lineman’s life may be on the line, and we want our crews to be as prepared as possible in the event of a real-life scenario.”
CHEC linemen attend one safety meeting per month, with topics ranging from Pole-Top Rescue, Bucket Escapes, Regulator Training, and Hazard Recognition. We strive to stay safe so we can provide our members with the best, most reliable electricity and internet services!
Is a Ductless Mini-Split System Right for Your Home?
How would you like a personalized comfort zone within your home? One where the temperature is customized to your liking and may be different than the temperature in the shared living areas or other rooms in the house. This flexibility and customization are precisely why mini-split systems, also known as ductless air-source heat pumps, and their energy efficiency aspects are so popular.
Let’s unpack some mini-split basics and explore whether this type of system is a good choice for your home heating and cooling needs.
A mini-split system is a type of HVAC equipment used for heating and cooling, allowing you to control the temperature in individual rooms or spaces. Similar to central heating and cooling, mini-split systems have two main components––an outdoor compressor and an indoor air-handling unit(s). A narrow conduit links the indoor unit(s) to the outdoor compressor.
While central heating and cooling systems feature an indoor unit connected by long lengths of ductwork, mini-splits are typically ductless. This means energy is not lost traveling through long stretches of ductwork. Installing the air-handling unit in a desired room or area enables you to control the temperature more precisely, reducing energy consumption. That’s because you’re adjusting the temperature to a single room or space rather than the whole home.
Is a mini-split system right for you?
Mini-split systems are a popular option in home additions, or to supplement heating and cooling in a space that may be furthest away from the main living area, such as a finished attic or basement. In these instances, it may not be feasible to install or extend the ductwork required in traditional central cooling and heating systems. In contrast, mini-splits are relatively easy to install requiring a small hole for the conduit connecting the indoor and outdoor units. Most systems can handle up to four indoor rooms or zones connected to one outdoor unit. Each of the zones can be customized because each includes a thermostat that enables you to heat or cool the space as needed, saving energy and money over time.
Cool solutions
Mini-split systems bring additional benefits. They are quiet, improve indoor air quality and are typically easy to install. Many come with remotes to make temperature control even easier, and because of their smaller size, mini-split systems have many placement options for indoor and outdoor units.
One of the greatest benefits of mini-splits is that they typically have a higher SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating than traditional central heating and cooling systems. The higher the unit’s SEER rating, the more energy efficient it is.
Additional considerations
However, according to the Department of Energy, “mini-splits cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton of cooling capacity. That’s about 30% more than central systems (not including ductwork) and may cost twice as much as window units of similar capacity.”
While the technology is improving and evolving, those in particularly colder climates may need a fuel backup to run a mini-split system. Aesthetics are another factor to consider, as some homeowners don’t like the appearance of the indoor units, which are more visible than central air conditioning vents.
If you’re considering an upgrade or additional
