Power Talk February 2010 : Page 1

UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES A MONTHLY INSERT FOR MEMBERS OF UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES COLD WAR FIGHTING A DIFFERENT Winter may have showed up a little late for its offi cial season opener here in North Texas, but it made its presence known when it fi nally throttled into the region with ven- geance in January, bringing along record- setting, sub-freezing temperatures. Recurring blasts of arctic air surged into North Texas and bit even deeper into consumers’ pocketbooks when heat- ing systems were ramped up to answer morning low temperatures that fell into the single digits in some ar- eas. And unfortunately, cyclical temperature extremes are always a rude reminder to procrastinat- ing consumers who get caught between the thermometer and their best inten- INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Frigid weather gener- ally translates into higher electricity usage, and con- sequently, higher electric bills—especially when con- sumers have not armed their homes against temperature extremes. tions to make their homes more energy effi cient. Nevertheless, January’s cold snap provided another opportunity for Unit- ed Cooperative Services to encourage members and the general public to be even more vigilant in determining ways to control their energy usage and hold onto precious energy dollars. “When we encounter the weather we’ve seen recently, members ask why the cooperative raised rates,” said Please see EXTRA e SAVINGS FREE SAVINGS! U CO-OP CONNECT CARD BRINGS EXTRA VALUE TO MEMBERS, PAGE ..... 18 H COMPARES UNITED RATES TO OVIDERS, PAGE ..... 23 Air filters play a vital role in your HVAC system’s overall energy efficiency ..... PAGE 20 ENERGYSMARTS GRANTS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MEMBER WIND, SOLAR PROJECTS PAGE ..... 22 RATE WATCH COMPARES UNITED RATES TO OTHER PROVIDERS, PAGE ..... 23 MANAGER’S PERSPECTIVE: THE BLAME GAME, PAGE .....24 FEBRUARY 2010 UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES 17 PowerTalk

Fidhting A Different Gold War

Winter may have showed up a little late for its offi cial season opener here in North Texas, but it made its presence known when it fi nally throttled into the region with vengeance in January, bringing along recordsetting, sub-freezing temperatures.

Recurring blasts of arctic air surged into North Texas and bit even deeper into consumers’ pocketbooks when heating systems were ramped up to answer morning low temperatures that fell into the single digits in some areas.

And unfortunately, cyclical temperature extremes are always a rude reminder to procrastinating consumers who get caught between the thermometer and their best intentions to make their homes more energy effi cient.

Nevertheless, January’s cold snap provided another opportunity for United Cooperative Services to encourage members and the general public to be even more vigilant in determining ways to control their energy usage and hold onto precious energy dollars.

“When we encounter the weather we’ve seen recently, members ask why the cooperative raised rates,” said
United CEO Ray Beavers. “It’s not that rates have gone up. It’s that usage has surged as all of us hunker down and try to stay warm.

During these types of weather events, we strongly encourage our members to reach out to us and take advantage of our free home energy audits and all of the resources and rebates United provides to help hold down energy costs,” said Beavers.

Use the tips below to ensure your household is using energy wisely.

• Ensure attic insulation levels are suffi cient and add more, if necessary.

United recommends an insulation value of R-38 (United provides rebates on some qualifying attic insulation upgrades).

• Weatherize the home, including caulking around windows and sealing with weather-stripping around doors.

• Ensure duct work is adequately sealed at joints and intersections with appropriate tape or mastic.

• Avoid using electric space heaters, which are energy hogs and can substantially increase electric bills.

• Ensure the fi replace fl ue is closed when not in use. An open fl ue sucks heat and energy dollars out of the home.

• Utilize programmable thermostats to lower the home temperature when Not at home and set it no higher than 68 degrees when occupying the home.

• Water heaters should be set to 120 degrees and if the unit is in a garage or another unconditioned space, utilize an insulated water heater blanket (United members may obtain one during a free energy audit while supplies last).

• Check and/or change furnace fi lters monthly.

• Close drapes at night.

United also offers residential EnergySmarts grants to low-income members. The program is similar to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with regard to weatherization support and also in how the funds are dispersed. The grants will be available on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis until the budget amount is used up. United members at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and who own or are in the process of purchasing a home, are eligible to apply for one grant. Renters are ineligible to receive grants.

The home undergoing retrofi t/new construction must be served by United. Pre-retrofi t energy audits by a United Energy Innovation Expert are required to identify and/or validate potential energy conservation measures, respective costs, energy savings and payback periods. The member must prove a fi nancial need to qualify for a grant. Members seeking an EnergySmarts Grant must complete the EnergySmarts Grant Application, including a description of the proposed energy effi ciency upgrades, cost estimates from a licensed installer, builder, or contractor. Applications can be obtained at United’s Web site, www.united-cs.com, or at one of the local United offi ces.

Grants will not exceed $1,000.

“United is committed to helping its members waste less energy and control their energy costs,” said Beavers. “During these frigid times, we encourage all of our members to be vigilant in managing their energy use to control their electric bills,” he added.

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