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2. energy
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Co-op News
HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Supporting Our
Youngest Members
MESSAGE FROM
GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO DEBRA COLE
AT HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, we talk a lot about the services
we provide to you, our members—home energy audits, convenient
billing options and fun events like our annual member picnics and other activities.
But many of our value-added benefits are directed at a younger audience: children.
It’s important that we support our youngest members, not only to enrich their lives
but also to instill in them the importance of cooperative membership. After all, these
youngsters will one day become leaders of the community and possibly the co-op.
For high school seniors, we offer college scholarships for applicants who are graduating and are residents of Texas. A student must be considered a dependent, living
at the residence of his or her parents or legal guardians who are active member-consumers of HILCO Electric Cooperative. The HILCO member must be receiving electric service from the cooperative at their permanent address. The student selected
to receive a HILCO scholarship must enroll in the first fall semester after receiving
of the scholarship and must meet the entrance requirements of the school to which
he or she applies.
High school juniors have the opportunity to attend the Government-in-Action
Youth Tour, where we send two students to Washington, D.C., on a weeklong educational excursion every June. The year 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the program through which students get to witness the United States government in action.
HILCO Electric Cooperative’s electrical safety programs are designed to educate
the public (children and adults) on electrical safety and future careers in the electrical industry. Two programs the cooperative has in place to help achieve this are: the
high-voltage electrical safety arcing demonstration and the career fair. These programs are available, free of charge, for community and civic organizations as well as
schools.
The arcing demonstration delivers a firsthand look at the power of electricity and
the dangers associated with electricity and power line hazards. The career fair gives
young people the opportunity to learn about our cooperative and explore potential
future careers in the electrical industry. Visit our website hilco.coop for more community involvement information.
BOA R D O F D IR E CTO RS
George Thiess, President, District 6
Joseph (Joe) Tedesco, Vice President, District 4
Janet (Jan) Smith, Secretary-Treasurer,
District 7
Leroy Huff, District 1
Margaret Hill, District 2
Bill Allen, District 5
Ron Roberts, District 3
Operating in Dallas, Ellis, Hill, Johnson
and McLennan counties
G E NE R A L M A NAG E R A ND CE O
Debra A. Cole
COOPERATIVE OFFICES
Itasca Headquarters
115 E. Main St. • P.O. Box 127
Itasca, Texas 76055
(254) 687-2331
1-800-338-6425
Midlothian
300A Silken Crossing
Midlothian, Texas 76065
(972) 723-2900
Whitney
4581 FM 933
Whitney, Texas 76692
(254) 694-5237
1-888-850-6551
CONTACT US
For information during office hours
and outages after hours:
CALL US
YOUTH TOUR REMINDER
High school juniors and seniors:
(254) 687-2331 local or
1-800-338-6425 toll-free
EMAIL
The essay and application deadline is January 9, 2015. You may submit them
hilco@hilco.coop
in person at 115 E. Main St., Itasca or by mail to HILCO Electric Cooperative,
FIND US ON THE WEB
ATTN: Kendra Markwardt, P.O. Box 127, Itasca, TX 76055
20
Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC January 2015
hilco.coop
hilco.coop
1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP
© ISTOCK.COM | LAW RE N CE SAWYE R
Stay Safe and Warm
During a Winter Storm
LAST YEAR SHOWED US HOW THE POLAR VORTEX can bring high winds, subzero temperatures and ice to many parts of the country, even those that aren’t accustomed
to winter weather. This dangerous winter weather can cause hazardous road conditions, downed power lines and extended power outages. Be sure to stay safe before,
during and after a winter storm hits.
If power lines go down because of a winter storm, you may be in for a prolonged
power outage as utility crews work to get the lights back on.
The National Weather Service tells us that winter storms are deceptive killers
because most deaths are indirectly related to storms. Many hazards can remain after
a winter storm is gone.
HILCO Electric Cooperative offers tips on how to stay safe and warm during a
winter power outage:
Stay inside and dress warmly. Close off unneeded rooms and place draft blocks at
the bottom of doors to minimize cold air entering the house. Cover windows at night.
Be aware of the temperature in your home. Infants
and elderly people are more
susceptible to the cold.
You may want to stay with
friends or relatives or go to
a shelter if you cannot keep
your home warm enough.
When the power is
restored, there will be a
power surge. To protect
your circuits and appliances,
switch off lights and unplug
appliances. Leave one light
switched on as a signal that
the power is restored.
Apart from the cold, there
are other dangers winter
Dangerous winter weather can cause hazardous road constorms can bring. Downed
ditions, downed power lines and extended power outages.
power lines could be submerged in snow and ice, making them difficult to see. Therefore, you and your family
should stay indoors if possible.
If you must go outside, use caution and treat all downed and hanging lines as if
they are energized. Stay away, warn others to stay away, and immediately contact
your utility company if you see downed lines.
Be sure to have a storm preparedness kit ready before a storm strikes to help get
you and your family through a power outage. This kit includes: bottled water, nonperishable food, blankets, warm clothing, a first aid kit/medicine, a flashlight, a radio,
extra batteries and toiletries.
If you are using an alternative heating source during a power outage, be sure that
you know how to use it safely and that you have already gathered all the supplies for
it. You should have enough supplies in your preparedness kit to last everyone in your
household three to seven days.
SafeElectricity.org
hilco.coop
FREE
LIGHT
BULBS!
Be sure to check out
upcoming issues of
Texas Co-op Power for
information on how you
can get your
FREE five CFL bulbs
OR two LED bulbs.
HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
BILLING SCHEDULE
Payments are due by close of business at
5 p.m. on the due date.
CYCLE 1
Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 6
Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 22
CYCLE 2
Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 13
Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 29
CYCLE 3
Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 20
Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 5
CYCLE 13
Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 21
Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 5
CYCLE 4
Billing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 27
Due Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12
Co-op Power
January 2015 HILCO EC Texas
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HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
A MESSAGE FROM THE HILCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rebates Return for 2015
OUR REBATE PROGRAMS WERE A BIG SUCCESS IN 2014. In partnership with our generation and transmission provider, Brazos Electric Power
Cooperative, we have helped members conserve and save with rebates since 2010. This year, we are pleased to announce once again that we
are offering rebates and incentives for energy-efficency upgrades to member homes, farms and businesses.
Energy-Efficient New Home Construction Rebate—$500
Ceiling Insulation Rebate—$300
Any home—single-family, modular, manufactured and multi-family—
with three stories or fewer can be certified as an Energy Star-rated
home if it meets EPA guidelines for the energy-efficiency standards.
Energy efficiencies are typically obtained based on a combination of choices used in the home’s construction, such as the type of
insulation, type of heating and cooling system, appliances, and windows; even lighting choices can also improve efficiencies.
Adding ceiling insulation to your attic is one of the most costeffective ways to make your home comfortable, regardless of the
outside temperature.
HILCO offers free home energy audits. If during an audit your
home is found to have less than 3.75 inches of insulation, you
will be eligible for the rebate program. Attic insulation must be
increased to 17 inches (R-38) or higher and verified and approved
by a HILCO representative within 60 days of your home audit.
High-Efficiency Heat Pump Rebate—$100 or $200
Heat pumps work by drawing warm air from one environment and
placing it in another environment. Unit efficiencies are measured by
seasonal energy-efficiency rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit is when operating.
HILCO members who replace their existing HVAC equipment
with an eligible heat pump or install an eligible heat pump during
home construction will be eligible to receive a rebate, based on the
heat pump’s efficiency.
Rebates include: $100 for 15-SEER high-efficiency heat pumps
having HSPF of 8.2 and a SEER of 15; and $200 for 16-SEER (or
higher) high-efficiency heat pump with HSPF of 9.0 or higher.
HVAC Tuneup Rebate—Up to $75
HVAC tuneup and maintenance help to keep heat pump and central
air-conditioning units operating at top efficiency and extend the life
of the unit. A tuneup by a professional can improve the unit efficiency by as much as 20 percent.
HILCO Electric Cooperative will reimburse members up to $75
for having a licensed contractor perform an HVAC tuneup during
2015.
Manufactured Home Solid Underpinning—$100
Underpinning is used to protect the underside of the home. Without
solid underpinning, rodents and animals can access insulation and
ductwork, and air is allowed to flow underneath the home—all of
which result in dramatic energy loss.
Contact HILCO Electric for a FREE home energy audit and
inspection. If your home is found to be in need of solid underpinning, simply install the skirting and call HILCO within 60 days of
installation for an inspection.
Energy Star Room Air Conditioner Rebate—$50
Members who purchase a room air-conditioning unit that is Energy
Star-certified are eligible for this rebate.
High-Efficiency Air Conditioner Rebate—$200
Unit efficiencies are measured by seasonal energy-efficiency rating,
or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit is
when operating. Install a 16-SEER (or higher) air-conditioning unit
that is Energy Star-certified, and you will be eligible for the rebate.
If replacing an existing system, the old system must have a lower
SEER rating.
HILCO Electric will offer the rebates until funds are depleted. At HILCO Electric, we have a series of programs designed to reward members for
reducing their energy use. For more information and guidelines on the above listed programs, visit our website at hilco.coop/rebates.htm.
HILCO Electric Cooperative Board of Directors
GEORGE THIESS
PRESIDENT
22
JOE TEDESCO
VICE PRESIDENT
JAN SMITH
SECRETARY-TREASURER
Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC January 2015
RON ROBERTS
DIRECTOR
LEROY HUFF
DIRECTOR
BILL ALLEN
DIRECTOR
MARGARET HILL
DIRECTOR
hilco.coop
1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Five New Year’s
Resolutions for
Your Home
1
U.S . HIGHBU S H BLU E BE RRY COU N CIL
Clean every appliance in your house. Your refrigerator’s coils can get dusty and
Blueberry Stuffed
French Toast
clogged, which makes it work harder—and that’s an unnecessary waste of energy.
The inside of your microwave oven should be spotless; if it’s not, then the machine is
using energy to “cook” leftover food particles that nobody’s going to eat. Even your
dishwasher and washing machine need cleaning—inside and out—to prevent mold
and clogs.
6 eggs
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2/3 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons sugar, divided
Pinch salt, optional
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
(thawed and drained, if frozen)
8 slices (11/4 inches thick) Italian bread
1/3 cup sliced almonds
2
Snake your clothes dryer vent. Do this at least twice a year to rid it of lint and
debris, which can catch on fire if it clogs the vent and prevents airflow. And be
sure to clean the lint screen after each use.
3
Clear the area around your water heater and your outdoor air-conditioning unit.
Appliances give off heat and take in air. If you’ve got boxes, suitcases, Christmas
decorations or plants stacked up against them, they can’t do their jobs efficiently.
4
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray a large baking sheet with
cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat eggs,
orange peel and juice, 2 tablespoons
of sugar and the salt until well
blended. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch
baking pan and set aside. In a small
bowl, combine the blueberries and
the remaining sugar.
3. With the tip of a sharp knife, cut
a 11/2-inch-wide pocket in the crust
side of each bread slice. Fill pockets
with the blueberry mixture, dividing evenly. Place filled slices into
the egg mixture. Let stand, turning
once, until egg mixture is absorbed,
about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Arrange bread on the prepared
baking sheet and sprinkle with
almonds. Bake until golden brown,
about 15 minutes, turning slices
after 10 minutes.
Have your heating and air-conditioning systems checked out by an HVAC profes-
sional, who can tell you if they need repairs. Ask the tech to check your filters and
change them if they’re clogged with dust.
5
Change the batteries in all of your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If you don’t have those devices, move this item to the top of your list of reso-
lutions and install them today.
© ISTOCK.CO M | CRAFTV IS ION
Keeping appliances and light fixtures clean saves energy and reduces fire risk. Resolve to set
up a regular schedule to keep them all clean and bright year-round.
hilco.coop
Find this and more delicious recipes online at
TEXASCOOPPOWER.COM
Co-op Power
January 2015 HILCO EC Texas
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23
HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
HILCO Members
Making a Big Difference
Small
Change
Making
a Big
Difference
Your volunteer
Operation Round Up
Trust Board
representatives and
HILCO members are:
DEBBIE BROOKS
Chairwoman
JULIE SLOTVIG
Operation Round Up is a special HILCO program
in which members voluntarily have their electric
bills rounded up each month. That money is
put in a separate fund to help organizations in
HILCO’s service area. A trust board meets to
review applications, and funds are distributed
once every quarter.
THE OPERATION ROUND UP TRUST BOARD met in October to review applications for
the third quarter of 2014. Five organizations were awarded a total of $10,662.59 on
October 30 at the HILCO office in Itasca.
HILCO directors and employees have been
overwhelmed at the generosity of our members who have voluntarily agreed to have their
bills rounded to help others in our communities. The extra nickels, dimes and quarters
are hardly missed individually, but together
with other member contributions, they do so
much good for organizations in our service
area. Thank you, HILCO members, for your
big hearts!
Deadlines to submit applications are on the
last day of each quarter: March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31. Applications
must be received by the deadlines to be considered for funding for that quarter.
Vice Chairwoman
MARTHA STRONA
Secretary-Treasurer
It’s easy to sign up for
MIKE CREECH
HILCO members
Operation Round Up!
may have their names
JOAN GAMBLE
Just log on to
added to or removed from
hilco.coop,
the Operation Round Up program
click on the
by calling one of our offices:
Operation Round Up link, and
(254) 687-2331 or
we’ll walk you through it.
1-800-338-6425.
GORDON PICKETT
MIKE KUHLMANN
24
Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC January 2015
hilco.coop
1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP
Operation Round Up Recipients
Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance/Joint Committee for Christmas
$1,103 for Christmas food box project
HILCO Director Bill Allen, Sharon Parker and HILCO Director Ron Roberts
Dinah Weable Breast Cancer Survivors Event
$4,750 for screening mammograms for women in need
(Waxahachie & Ellis County)
Ray Weable, HILCO Director Joe Tedesco, Dinah Weable,
Diann Wilson and Sherry Dyess
Also receiving funds but unable to attend the October 30
check presentation were:
Church on the Hill/Hillsboro Foursquare
and Common Ground Ministries
EOAC of Planning Region Xl
$2,500 for client/utility assistance
Tina Gonzales, HILCO Director Jan Smith and Robert Rowe
Win a $50
Bill Credit!
LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERA
TIVE EDITION
Youth Tour
Your Favorite
Casseroles
JANUARY 2015
Caprock Canyo
ns
COASTAL
CLASSROOM
As you’re reading your Texas Co-op
Power, look for the “hidden”
account number in the local HILCO
pages in the center of the magazine. If
it’s YOUR electric account number, call us before the
end of January—you have won a $50 credit
on your HILCO electric bill!
EDUCATING OUTDO
ORS
IN Port Aran
sas
(254) 687-2331 or 1-800-338-6425
Power Tip
They’re out of sight, but
don’t forget about your air
ducts. Taking care of them
can save money and energy.
Check ducts for air leaks.
Take care of minor sealing
jobs with heat-approved
tape, especially in attics and
in vented crawl spaces. Call
the pros for major ductwork
repairs.
© ISTOCK.COM | BAN KS P HOTOS
hilco.coop
Co-op Power
January 2015 HILCO EC Texas
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25
HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Operating Your
Generator Safely
26
Texas Co-op Power HILCO EC January 2015
Resolve To Be
an Active
Co-op Member
©I STOCK.COM | L ISA FX
electricity goes out, generators can help you get through and stay warm until power
is restored. However, before ever starting a generator, it is vital that you have educated yourself on how to use one safely.
There are two types of generators for homeowners to choose from: standby and
portable. Standby generators are connected directly to the house and typically are
powered by natural gas or propane. These generators start automatically when the
power goes out.
A portable generator is usually gasoline-powered and is movable. You can power
appliances by plugging them into it. Your generator should have a greater output
than the wattage of the electronics you plan to plug into it. This way, the generator
will be able to create the extra electricity it takes for the initial power surge. Make
sure there is nothing plugged into the generator when you first turn it on.
When you refuel a generator, make sure the engine is cool to prevent a fire should
the tank overflow. Be sure to keep children and pets away from the generator, which
could burn them. 104275001
Generators pose electrical risks especially when operated in wet conditions. Use
a generator only when necessary during moist conditions. Protect the generator by
operating it under an open, canopy-like structure and on a dry surface where water
cannot form puddles or drain under it.
Carbon monoxide fumes emitted by the gasoline engine
on a generator can be deadly. Always operate your portable
generator outdoors, at least 10 feet from your home.
If you are not careful with the installation of a portable
or standby generator, you can put the lives of others
in danger because of backfeed—a situation where a
generator is feeding electricity back through your
electrical system into the power lines. To prevent
backfeed, standby generators should have
a transfer safety switch installed
by a professional. Portable
generators should never be
plugged directly into a home
outlet or electrical system;
use an extension cord to
plug appliances into an outlet on the generator.
It is recommended that
a generator be operated
once a month for 10 minutes to ensure that it will
run properly when needed.
Store a standby generator in
an easily accessible, weatherproof area. Have enough fuel
When the electricity goes out, a generator can help
for at least 24 hours in case of a
you get through and stay warm until power is restored.
power outage.
However, it is vital that you know how to use it safely.
© ISTOCK.COM | I S _I MAGE SOURCE
SNOWSTORMS, ICE AND FALLEN TREE BRANCHES can all cause blackouts. When the
MAKE 2015 THE YEAR you convert from
being a “customer” of your electric cooperative to being a “member.”
The fact is, you’re already a member.
You buy your electricity from a utility
that is organized as a member-owned
cooperative, which means that every one
of its customers owns a part of it.
As a consumer-member, you have
some privileges that customers of
investor-owned, city-centered electric
companies don’t have. For example, you
have the right to vote in elections for the
cooperative’s board of directors.
You can even run for the board,
yourself, if you want to. Any cooperative
member can.
This year, become an active member.
Start by planning to attend your cooperative’s annual meeting. And ask at the
cooperative office about volunteering on
a committee.
How many other kinds of businesses
give you a say in what they do with your
money? Exercise your membership privileges and get involved with your cooperative this year.
hilco.coop
1-800-338-6425 | (254) 687-2331 | HILCO.COOP
FACES OF HILCO
Meet the People Who Work for You
RUTH INFANTE has blessed HILCO with her sweet smile and willingness always to lend a hand for more than
15 years. Ruth began her career at HILCO in 1999 as one of the first in-house dispatchers and has since
moved into the engineering department as an engineering clerk. Ruth assists in all aspects of engineering
plans for the construction of commercial and residential electric services. Ruth also plays a vital role in the
preparation and planning of the HILCO Member Appreciation Picnics.
Ruth lives in the Whitney area with her husband, Chris. They enjoy working at their air-cooled engine
service shop. In their free time, they enjoy the outdoors, fishing and camping with their children and
grandchildren.
DARRELL SULAK has served HILCO Electric members and his community since 1993. Darrell began his
career as a meter reader and worked his way up to a first class lineman. Darrell takes his job as a lineman
to heart. Whether he’s restoring outages or troubleshooting lines, putting members first is his top priority.
Darrell also conducts electrical safety demonstrations at area local schools for students and staff.
Whether you’re an employee working alongside of him or a member that he happens to greet while in the
field, everyone agrees that he is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.
Darrell and his wife, Michelle, like to hunt, go camping and ride four-wheelers with their two sons.
LYN KADDATZ began her career with HILCO in 2005 as a member services representative and was later promoted to the position of accounts receivable/billing coordinator. Lyn has a sharp eye and is diligent when it
comes to reviewing credits, adjustments, meter-reading discrepancies and any billing questions.
Lyn and her husband, Dennis, enjoy visiting their two daughters, who both married military men, and
spending as much time as possible with their granddaughter. Lyn also loves visiting the Texas Hill Country,
watching the Dallas Mavericks and reading—plus coffee and all things chocolate.
BILLY “B.J.” WILLIAMS has helped HILCO provide members with safe, reliable electricity for more than 31
years. B.J. started his career as a groundsman and has worked his way up to underground service supervisor. Through the years, B.J. has seen a lot of changes. When asked what is the most drastic change he has
seen over his time here at HILCO, he responded, “equipment.” When B.J. began his career at the co-op,
there was only one bucket truck that covered HILCO’s entire service area.
B.J. and his wife love spending time with their three grandchildren. When he wants to relax, he enjoys
hunting and fishing.
RHONDA TREJO has dedicated 28 years as a member services representative and is HILCO’s senior member
service representative. On a daily basis, Rhonda assists members with a variety of needs, such as connection
and disconnection of services for electric, water and propane accounts. Among her favorite duties is helping
connect our members in need of a helping hand during hard times with assistance agencies in their part of
our service area. Rhonda is humble and enjoys helping our members.
When Rhonda is not working, she loves traveling and spending time with family and friends, and she crochets every chance she gets.
hilco.coop
Co-op Power
January 2015 HILCO EC Texas
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