JANUARY 2020
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
Updated info helps NAEC serve you North Arkansas Electric Cooperative asks that members let us know if their contact information, such as phone numbers or mailing address, needs updating. Accurate information allows us to serve you better in several ways, including speeding up outage reporting and ensuring any capital credits checks are mailed to the correct address. You can update your contact information by visiting an NAEC office in Ash Flat, Mountain Home or Salem; calling 870-8953221; or filling out the form at www.naeci.com/ contact.
Tampering with meter dangerous North Arkansas Electric Cooperative wants members to be aware of the danger in tampering with their electric meter. Doing so can lead to injury or death from electric shock. Stay safe by following these three practices: • Never break a meter seal. • Never open a meter base. • Never remove a meter or alter an entrance cable in any manner. If you suspect someone has tampered with their meter, please call NAEC at 870-895-3221 immediately.
The Energy Efficiency Conservation Loan Program can fund weatherization improvements, such as added insulation in an attic.
Improve home’s efficiency with loan The Energy Efficiency Conservation Loan Program allows members to borrow money from NAEC at low interest to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Not only do energy efficiency upgrades improve the comfort of your home, but they also can lower energy costs. The interest rate for these fixed-rate loans is 3 percent; however, this rate is subject to change. All loans require an application process, which does include a credit check. Also, board approval is required for loans exceeding $20,000. Below are the types of loans available: • Air Source Heap Pumps — All air source heat pump loans require a SEER rating of at least 14 and an HSPF of 8.2 with an amortization schedule for eight years. A $100 blower door test is required and can be financed. • Geothermal Heat Pumps — All geothermal heat pump loans will have an amortization schedule for 12 years. A $100 blower door test is required and can be financed. • Weatherization — Weatherization loans can apply toward Energy Star windows, Energy Star doors, insulation (ceiling, floor or wall) and electric water heaters with efficiency of 91 percent or greater. The amortization schedule is five years with a required minimum loan of $500. • Energy Efficient Lighting — Energy efficient lighting loans will cover LED installations with an amortization schedule for five years. The minimum loan amount is set at $500 with no maximum amount set at this time. You can have more than one loan and can combine weatherization measures with a heat pump loan. Please note that new construction is not eligible for this program. The EECLP application is available at www.naeci.com/credit-application. A print application may be picked up at an NAEC office.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH Let the sunshine in! For additional warmth, open drapes over windows that receive sunlight during the day. Close them at night, which can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10 percent. — energy.gov
Consider three DIY efficiency projects this year A New Year brings new opportunities to save energy — and money. You may think energy efficiency upgrades require a great deal of time and expense, but that’s not always the case. If you’re interested in making your home more efficient but don’t want to break the bank, there are several DIY projects you can tackle to increase energy savings. Let’s take a look at three inexpensive efficiency upgrades that can help you save energy throughout the year.
Trim Dryer Vent
Level of difficulty: easy. Supplies needed: tin snips, gloves, measuring tape and masking tape. Estimated Cost: about $25 depending on the supplies you already have. If your dryer vent hose is too long, your dryer is working harder than it has to and using more energy than necessary. The vent hose should be long enough for you to pull the dryer out a couple feet from the wall, but the shape of the hose should form a line, not a lot of slack with twists and curves. A shorter, unobstructed vent hose increases the efficiency of your dryer, dries clothing faster and reduces lint buildup, which can create a fire hazard. Simply measure, mark and trim the hose to the desired length, and then reattach the hose to your dryer and exterior vent.
Seal Air Leaks
Level of difficulty: moderate. Supplies needed: caulk and caulk gun, weather stripping, gloves, putty knife, paper towels. Estimated Cost: $25 to $50 depending on the materials you purchase. Sealing air leaks in your home can help you save 10 percent to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. Apply caulk around windows, doors, electrical wiring and plumbing to seal in conditioned air. You also should
weather strip exterior doors, which can keep out drafts and help you control energy costs. Types of caulking and weather stripping materials vary, but ask your local hardware or home store for assistance if you’re unsure about the supplies you need. For more information, the Department of Energy provides step-by-step instructions for caulking and weather stripping at https://bit.ly/2Kesu6W.
Insulate Attic Stairs Opening
Level of difficulty: moderate. Supplies needed (if you build the box yourself): rigid foam board, faced blanket insulation, tape for foam board, measuring tape, utility knife, caulk and caulk gun, plywood. Estimated Cost: $50 to $100. A properly insulated attic is one of the best ways to optimize energy savings and comfort in your home, but many homeowners don’t consider insulating the attic stairs or the opening to your attic space. Even a well-insulated attic can leak air through the stair opening, but luckily, there’s an easy fix. An insulated cover box can seal and insulate the attic stairs opening. You can build your own insulated cover box or purchase a pre-built box or kit from a local home improvement store for about $60. If you decide to build your own, check out these step-by-step instructions from the Department of Energy at https://bit.ly/36YNCYQ. It should be noted that if your attic opening is located in a garage that you do not heat and cool, then this upgrade will not be as effective. Saving energy doesn’t have to be hard. With a little time and effort, you can maximize energy savings and increase the comfort of your home. To learn about additional ways to save, contact NAEC’s energy advisers at 870-895-3221. —Abby Berry/NRECA
DAILY HIGHS & LOWS — NOVEMBER 2019 Average Daily High: 56.46° compared to 53.26° in 2018
TEMPERATURE
Average Daily Low: 29.08° compared to 30.1° in 2018 Total Rainfall Amount: 6.31” compared to 1.79” in 2018 Warmest Day: Nov. 10, 75.3° at 2 p.m. Coolest Day: Nov. 13, 10.2° at 6:30 a.m.
DAYS CONTACT NAEC 870-895-3221 info@naeci.com naeci.com
IMAGES: ISTOCK/BANKSPHOTOS; PIXABAY/STOCKSNAP
RIGHT-OF-WAY Oakland, County Road 30 and Robinson Point areas in Mountain Home; Evening Shade area
ON THE FRONT Jeanette Hilliker, Horseshoe Bend chamber president, presents NAEC with second place in the Christmas parade.