USPS: 702-990 | ISSN: 1042-7767 | VOL 74, NO 11
Current Light Flashes is the official voice of West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., a member-owned Touchstone Energy® cooperative serving Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. It is published as a service to the Co-op’s members. Periodicals postage is paid at Tallahassee, Florida.
In my August 2024 article, I mentioned kilowatt hour (kWh) usage and this month I'd like to talk more about that. I will also talk about how using less during certain times of the year can save you money as well as every other member!
For residential accounts, West Florida Electric Cooperative's (WFEC) current kWh price is 0.11637 cents per kilowatt hour used. If your use was 1,000 kilowatt hours, then your bill shows an Energy Usage Charge of $151.37 ($116.37 for you kWh plus $35 for the base rate, which I spoke about last month).
As members, we are aware that we use more power during the colder winter months and hotter summer months.What you may not be aware of is that WFEC is a winter peaking system, which means that we use the highest amount of power (demand) in the winter on typically the coldest morning of the year between 6 and 9 A.M., when everyone is getting up to start their day. How much the entire cooperative uses on that morning sets our peak demand with our power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia, Alabama, and that peak demand affects how much we pay for the next year!
There are quite a few things that you, as a member, can do to lower your overall energy use as well as help with that winter peak. I will give you just a couple of suggestions. One of the most important things you can do to eliminate kWh use is make sure that your home is properly insulated. Heat and cold enters and exits your home in so many places and there are small things you can do to help stop it. Check the weather stripping on your doors, windows, your home's skirting, and the pipes coming into your home. Also make sure to check the level of insulation in your attic. Another thing that you can do is make sure that all your major appliances (water heater, electric stoves, clothes dryers, air conditioners/heaters, and pump) are operating properly. Most of these operate on 220 voltage and can make a major difference in your kWh use. (And, please don't forget to insulate your pump this winter to keep it from freezing).
If you need more information or advice about how to conserve and save, don't hesitate to reach out to the Energy Services Department by calling 800-342-7400. It might sound crazy, but that department is dedicated to helping you buy less power!
Look out for those super cold mornings and try not to use as much power between 6 and 9 AM on those days. Any little bit will help. I hope that everyone has a safe and blessed holiday season.
Sincerely,
We’re Grateful for Your Membership.
Our offices will be closed Thursday, November 28 Friday, November 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We are incredibly grateful for your membership as our team spends this special time with loved ones.
From our co-op family to yours,
we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
As we look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, think about your daily routine and how much value it provides compared to the money spent. A morning latte costs about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries, and a drink will set you back around $10, and a Netflix subscription is about $16 each month. All these daily expenses total around $85 a week, or about $340 monthly. Is that the best value for your money?
You can power your entire home every day for the price of a medium latte. You could brew your own coffee, cook your own meals, binge a series and run on a treadmill for less than the cost of that one drink. That's real value.
Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable, indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has also remained relatively cost-stable even amidst rising inflation.
As a member-owned cooperative, WFEC does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and electricity remains a great value for its members. It's not always easy, as there are many factors beyond inflation that impact the price of electricity - some within our control but most beyond it.
Electricity costs can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure
investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting both demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Goverment policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric cooperative considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we're a cooperative, we consider the impact of those costs on our members.
As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything, we need it to be reliable and affordable. WFEC always strives to put you top of mind and works each day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
Levelized energy billing is a pricing strategy designed to provide our members with more predictable and stable energy costs over time. This approach spreads energy costs evenly across a billing period, helping to mitigate the cost and pricing fluctuations often seen in traditional billing methods. Here's an overview of its key components: What is levelized energy billing? Levelized billing involves calculating an average cost of energy based on projected use and expenses over a specific time period. At West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC), that is an average of the past 12 consecutive months of utility bills. Instead of charging our members based on their actual monthly use, which can vary significantly depending on seasonal demands like weather, this method smooths out those costs, resulting in consistent monthly payments. How it Works:
1. Average consumption: The co-op assesses historical energy use data to determine a member's average monthly energy use.
2. Cost projection: We estimate future energy costs, considering factors like expected rates, the cost to generate electricity, and operational costs.
3. Monthly billing: The total projected costs are divided by the number of months in the billing period, resulting in a fixed monthly charge.
Benefits:
• Predictable - Our members can budget more effectively with fixed payments, reducing the financial stress of fluctuating monthly bills.
• Stable - This billing method protects WFEC members from spikes in energy costs during high-use summer or winter months.
• Encourages Energy Consciousness - With a steady payment structure, members may be more inclined to adopt energyefficient practices, knowing they can offset costs over time.
• Simple - Consistent energy costs facilitate easier financial planning and cash flow management. While levelized billing offers advantages, there are some things that should be considered. One is inital overpayment. Some members might pay more initially if their actual energy use is lower than
projected or estimated. Another is that there could be an adjustment period. Utilities might need to adjust billing rates periodically to account for changes in energy prices or consumption patterns.
Levelized billing can be a valuable tool for co-op members who are looking for stability in their energy expenses. However, this service will not benefit all of our members. If you are considering levelized billing, we encourage you to contact our member services representatives by calling 800-342-7400. They can take a look at the last 12 month's of your utility bills and provide you with an estimate of what your average monthly bill will be.
How would you like a personalized comfort zone in 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 talk about some mini-split basics and explore whether this type of system is a good fit 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 usually ductless. This means energy is not lost traveling through long stretches of ductwork. Installing the air-handling unit in a desired room 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 instead of the
Mini-split systems, also known as ductless air-source heat pumps, heat/cool a home through an outdoor unit that connects to one ore more individual indoor air handlers, which are usually mounted on a wall. Depending on the size of your home & personal preferences, a mini-split system is worth considering when you need to replace or upgrade your heating/ cooling system.
Mini-Split System Benefits:
• Zone-controlled heating/cooling
• Higher energy efficiency ratings
• Easy to install
• Good for heating/cooling home additions
Mini-Split System Considerations:
• Potentially higher upfront cost
• Appearance
• May require electrical upgrades
• Not as effective in large spaces
whole home.
Is a mini-split system right for you? Mini-splits 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. In these instances, it may not be feasible to install or extend the ductwork. These systems 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. Each of the zones can be customized because they include a thermostat that enables you to heat or cool the space as needed, saving energy and money over time.
continued on page 10
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 they typically have a higher SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating that traditonal central heating and cooling systems. The higher the unit's SEER rating, the more energy efficient it is.
Additional considerations: According to the Department of Energy, "mini-splits" cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton of cooling capacity. Aesthetics are another factor to consider, as some home-owners 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 heating and cooling equipment, talk to a qualified technician to learn if a ductless mini-split system could work for your home.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) offers rebates to members who install mini-split systems in their homes. This can be a conventional, stick-built home or a manufactured home. The rebates start at $300 per ton for qualifying units. To find out more, visit westflorida.coop or contact the co-op's Energy Services Dept. by calling 800-342-7400.
Tri-County Gas Service, Inc.
Tri-County Gas Service, Inc.
“Home Folks Serving Home Folks”
For All Your Propane Needs 415 S. Waukesha St., Bonifay 547-3696
#RM0048955
200-Amp Power Pole
$599.95
100 - Amp Power Pole
$499.95
Delivery & Installation Available Rick Carnley - Lic. # EC-13006648
Florida Meter Pole Company, Inc. Anthony Register 850-573-0219
9
10
12
13
14
An Evening of Poetic Moments November 9; 6-8 PM 2873 Caledonia Street, Marianna
Join The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida for an evening featuring Gospel music led by Brian Mitchell, Pianist, Charlotte Franklin, Praise Dancer, Trinity White, poetry readings and author excerpts. There will also be an art sale. Admission to this event is free.
Malone Pecan Festival & Fun Day November 16; 6AM-3PM; Parade @10 AM
Malone
Pecan products, family-oriented activities, and a free petting zoo. Many more activities.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
2 cups pecans
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Directions:
Submitted by: Dorothy Culbreth
Combine sugar, cream of tartar, cinnamon and water. Cook to soft boil stage. Add vanilla and pecans. Stir until pecans are sugary. Pour onto wax paper and separate pecans.
Crews
When ROW crews are trimming in your area, there may be several days between ROW cutting & clean-up crews due to inclement weather, equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances.
Black Australorp chicks, female, $5 each; male, $4.50 each; un-sexed, $3.50 each; eggs with carton, w/o carton, $3.00; 850-481-2023.
Perennial peanut hay, fresh cut, barn stored; 561-793-1210.
Snapper lawn tractor, 42” cut with 19.5 engine. gently used w/new battery, $1,800; 850-209-7072.
Bahai grass hay, fertilized, 4x5 rolls, barn stored; 850-573-5145.
Tifton 9 Bahia grass hay, 5x5 rolls, well fertilized, you pick up and haul, located in NE Jackson County near Lovedale/Paramore; 850-592-4740.
Alford 579
Altha 762
Bascom/Malone 569
Blountstown 674, 237
Bonifay 547
Caryville 548
Chipley 638, 415
Cottondale 352
Graceville 263
Grand Ridge 592
Greenwood 594
Marianna 482, 526
Ponce de Leon 836
Sneads 593
Sunny Hills 773
Vernon 535
Westville 956
Grain fed Angus beef, no hormones or litter, 5 months on grain, ready April 2025, $5.20/pound, on the rail, cut & wrapped; 850-326-2754.
Power wheelchair, like new, candy apple red, used one time, inside, $2,500; 850-326-2799.
Cedar lumber, $2.50 a board ft.; 850-371-0105.
Seasoned oak firewood, 4x8 foot rack, $90, delivery extra; 850-372-0105.
Retired land surveyor equipment, tripods, tri bracks, elev. rods, flagging, laths, stakes, prisms, 100’ tapes; 850-535-9715.
Black & Decker Model D200 corded electric 3/8” keyless drill, $15; 850-573-5117.
Gasoline generator, 30A 120/240V 6250/8500W, like new condition, stored indoors w/30A power cord, $750; 850-573-5117.
Deer stand, tripod, Big Dog brand, 16’ with swivel seat and top, $150; 850-592-4798.
CLF Free Ad Policy (Limited to one ad per household)
WFEC publishes free classified ads in the Current Light Flashes as a service to its members. The following limitations apply: 1) Ads must be 20 words or less and must be legible, with an active electric account number at the top. 2) Ads exceeding 20 words are subject to elimination. 3) Submit ads to the Graceville office by the 5th of the month to appear in the following month’s issue. (Example: An ad arriving by Jan. 5 will appear in the Feb. CLF) 4) Ads for services & businesses are not free. Service businesses include, but are not limited to, pet or livestock breeders or stud services, rentals, baby-sitting, etc. 5) Any buying or selling on a regular basis will be considered a business. On-going garage sales & the sale of similar items on a repeated basis do not qualify for free advertising. 6) WFEC may refuse to publish any ad . 7) You may submit your ad online at www.westflorida.coop WFEC will not accept ads over the phone.
Desert Eagle AE 50 cal. ss, SW
500 ss w/scope, guns are like new, $3,000 for both; 850-596-2681.
Craft items, rubber stamps, macrame cord, crepe paper, weaving looms and yarn, craft books, containers; 954-296-5333.
Three-horse slant trailer; barrel, roping, pleasure saddles; tack; utility trailer; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
Homemade/handmade quilts, lap, baby, twin, full or queen; two used bathtubs to be used for water or feed troughs, great price; 850-547-3649.
50 caliber SS black powder rifle with ammo, $250; doe decoy, like new, $50; 850-557-1629.
8.5 acres, 5086 Smokey Road, Graceville, price reduction
$149,900, road frontage, farmland, hunting land; 334-560-6019.
16 acres of land in the Graceville area, portions farmable; 727-403-4463.
CLF Free Ad Form Please Type or Print Neatly.
# For Sale • Wanted • Free • Thank You • Lost (circle one)
3BR/2BA brick ranch-style home on 47 acres, Sand Basin Road, see on Zillow.com; call 850-272-7120 for appointment.
Pate Pond .40 acre lot, treated wood, elevated walkway, dock w/rails & fishing pole holders, electrical pole to service lot/dock, beautiful setting, $15,000 for lot with improvements; 850-547-5777 or 850-217-6457.
Notification Statement
Notice is hereby given that the West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Board of Trustees regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, unless special circumstances warrant a change.
Main Business and Publications Offices 5282 Peanut Road
Graceville, Florida 32440-0127 (850) 263-3231 or 1-800-342-7400
Subscription Rate
Cooperative members, $2.50 per year Non-members, $6.00 per year
Change of Address Notices
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Current Light Flashes P. O. Box 127 Graceville, Florida 32440-0127
DISCLAIMER: Although paid advertisements may appear in West Florida Electric (WFEC) publications in print, online, or in other electronic formats, WFEC does not endorse the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. WFEC reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish any advertisement, article or information.
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Tracker 1448 MVX Camo welded aluminum boat, 2021 Suzuki 25 HP motor PowerTrim, trolling motor, 2 batteries, Tracker trailer, $9,000; 850-482-6296.
Horses; ponies; mules; donkeys; 850-209-8532 or 850-592-2494.
150-500 acres pastureland, in Holmes or Washington County; 850-234-7070.
Penny through dollar coins, loose, in jars, collections and estates; 850-326-3437.
License plates from any state, mainly Florida, prior to 1980; old motorcycles or parts prior to 1960; 850-557-7030, Greg.
Pastureland to rent, closer to Campbellton the better; 850-703-5450.
John White
(850) 535-1121 Cell: (850) 260-2204
– Existing coal plants that plan to operate after 2038 and new baseload natural gas plants must reach 90% carbon capture and storage by 2032.
– New peaking natural gas units must drastically limit operations.
– States must notify the EPA of how they plan to meet the requirements by June 2026.
Safety behind the wheel includes slowing down & moving over when you see crews working along the the roadside. You’ll help ensure crews return home safely & continue to be there when you need them.
