coloradocountrylife.coop 4 JULY 2017 7

[ ]SAN ISABEL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

[Between the Lines]

TSIEA: Your Trusted Energy ResourceBY REG RUDOLPH || GENERAL MANAGER

This month San Isabel Electric is rolling out a home energy ef-ficiency inspection service to help our Members understand how their home uses energy. The best part is, it’s a free evaluation. You’ll see that you have more control over your energy usage than you thought and San Isabel will be able to assist in making it happen.

As a Member-owned cooperative, SIEA has a mission to serve the Membership. Far too often we find our Members are unaware of the many services available to them, from energy efficiency rebates for appliances and other upgrades to the new energy ef-ficiency inspection. San Isabel wants to be your trusted energy resource because it’s your company and we work for you.

The goal of the home energy efficiency inspection is to help the Members learn to manage energy use. Through Member surveys we’ve learned that satisfaction declines with higher bills and we don’t want dissatisfied Members. Members want to know they are getting good value for the money they spend and that’s some-

thing everyone understands.San Isabel Electric is pleased to have only

needed to increase rates once since 2009, and our forecasted goal is to hold rates steady through 2020. Controlling costs and providing electricity at the lowest cost is of the highest importance. Again, our goal is to be your trusted energy resource, looking out for your best interests. If we work together, you’ll end up with more money in your pocket.

You’ll find more information about the home energy efficiency inspection on the following pages. Take a look at what the visit entails and if it’s something of interest contact Jack and Benji to set up an appointment. San Isabel is your trusted energy re-source, so take advantage of the services provided by your electric cooperative.

Reg Rudolph

911 KNOWLEDGEKnowing when to call 911 and what to expect can help reduce fear and feelings of helplessness in an emergency. Critical elements to keep in mind are:

• Teach children their address and phone number.

• Know where you are. Could you tell 911 exactly where to find you? Provide the call taker with landmarks, such as cross streets and mileposts, so responders can locate you more easily.

• Don’t hang up if you accidentally call 911. Stay on the line and tell the operator or dispatcher that you do not have an emergency. If you hang up, dispatchers are required to call you back.

• Stay calm, stay on the line and be ready to listen. 911 is there to help you until additional assistance arrives.

Visit readycolorado.com for more public safety tips.

If you see police, firefighters, utility crews or other emergency personnel on the side of the road, please slow down and move over.

Together, we can keep our crews safe.

coloradocountrylife.coop8 JULY 2017

[Between the Lines]

Residential Home Energy Efficiency InspectionSan Isabel Electric Association’s new home energy efficiency inspection is designed to provide Members with a no charge,

face-to-face contact with a representative from San Isabel Electric to further assist them with understanding how their homes use energy. The objective of this program is to educate the Members on improvements they can make to their homes

to become more efficient and ultimately lower their energy usage and monthly charges.

Members with high bill and usage concerns will be prime candidates for this program. SIEA can analyze the Member’s usage to try to tailor the inspection to the Member’s needs. This program will also educate the Members on how to more clearly understand their bills and the usage of energy.

With this program, the Member will be able to see that they have more control over their energy usage than they may have thought possible and will be able to understand that San Isabel Electric Association is here to assist them in making it happen.

Basic Process • Initial basic Member interview (energy bill concerns, areas of concern in home (cold rooms, drafts, etc.)• Setting up inspection date and time with Member.

• Basic exterior walk around for visual inspection of structure to include A/C units, exterior lighting, condition of windows, doors and thresholds.• Basic inspection of appliances to check for Energy Star rating, age and condition of appliance to include refrigerators,

washer and dryer, electric water heater, dish washer, A/C systems, etc. • General inspection of attic/crawlspace for insulation and when applicable thermal imaging to detect need for additional insulation.

Inspection will determine if home has adequate insulation based on current R-value recommendations.• When applicable thermal imaging of windows, entry ways and walls to determine if there will be any need for additional sealing or window replacements.

• Visual inspection of current lighting throughout the home to try to find any upgrades to energy efficient lighting.

Actual Home Visit On Location Will Include:

After home visit and inspection process is completed there will be a report generated for the Member with the inspection findings. With the results from the inspection SIEA will be able to provide recommendations for the Member to help them better conserve energy within their homes. Along with this report will be information about rebates that will be offered through SIEA to assist the Member with the financial aspects of performing energy saving upgrades. At this point, when applicable, SIEA will also have the opportunity to assist customers with products and services available through the company such as ETS heaters with off peak rates.

The target time spent in the Member’s home will be roughly 2 hours. The goal is to have the inspection and report done and to the Member in a week to ten days depending on the Member’s preference of report delivery (email, hard copy).

It is important for Members to understand this is a no charge, efficiency inspection and not a full home energy audit and in no way implies that this can qualify for a home inspection. We are simply providing the Member with simple solutions to lower their energy consumption and costs, and to improve their quality of life. SIEA will not be performing any of the upgrades to the Members dwelling but will provide them with recommendations that will benefit them and improve their energy efficiency.

CONTACT SIEA ENERGY SERVICES TODAY! CALL (719) 647-6242 • EMAIL JACK.SNELL@SIEA.COM or BENJI.CLEMENTI@SIEA.COM

SAN ISABEL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION IS YOUR TRUSTED ENERGY RESOURCE

coloradocountrylife.coop 4 JULY 2017 9

[Between the Lines]

AA dip in the pool is a refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day. However, a little known electrical hazard can darken even the sunniest afternoon. Electrical equipment in or near bodies of water should be checked to ensure electricity is not travel-ling outside of the intended circuit. If it is, it could be leaking into the water and cre-ating an electric shock drown-ing hazard. Electric shock drowning occurs when an electric current is present in water and passes through the body of some-one in that water. A swimmer who encounters electric current in the water experiences muscle paralysis, which leaves the individual unable to swim to safety.

The threat is greatest in freshwater rivers, lakes and pools where there is electrical equipment nearby that is plugged into shore power. Electric shock drowning is a particularly dangerous hazard because it’s impossible to tell by sight if the water is energized.

If you are in the water and feel electric current, which can cause a tingling sensation, shout to let others know, try to stay upright, tuck your legs up to make yourself smaller and swim away from anything that could be ener-gized. Do not use a metal ladder to exit the water.

Resist the urge to jump in the water to help someone who you suspect may be experiencing an electrical shock. Throw them a float, try to eliminate the source of electric-ity as quickly as possible and have someone call 911. It is not safe to jump in the water to save the person in distress because you will also suffer an electrical shock.

Remember, water and electricity are always a dangerous mix. Never touch any electrical appliances or outlets when you are wet or standing in water.

For more information, visit SafeElectricity.org.

Help Prevent Electric Shock Drowning

Stay informed: Check local news for extreme heat alerts.

Stay cool: If you do not have access to an air-conditioned space, visit a shop-ping mall or public library for a few hours. Call your local health department to locate heat-relief shelters in your area.

Stay hydrated: Drink (nonalcoholic) fluids regularly, regardless of your activity level. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Don’t leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle

Do check on elderly friends and neighbors.

During periods of extreme heat, hot weather mixed with outdoor activities can lead to dangerous situations. Accord-ing to the CDC, people can suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. During extreme heat, follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Heat Stress: Who’s At Risk?Adults over the age of 65, children under the age of four, individuals with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, and those without access to air conditioning.

Beat theExtreme Heat

HEAT ALERT

Energy E� ciency Tip of the Month

Let the sun work for you! Consider solar lights for outdoor lighting. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity that can be stored in a battery and tapped at night to make light. Check manufacturer’s instructions to make sure your solar lights are situated to receive su� cient sunlight to recharge during the day.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy

coloradocountrylife.coop10 JULY 2017

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As the temperature rises, so does our use of air-conditioning. According to Energy.gov, three-quarters of U.S. homes have air conditioners. The approximate annual cost to run these air con-ditioners is $29 billion. The Energy Education Council shares tips to help you keep cool, save money and make summer efficiency no sweat:

• Often homeowners place AC condensing units on the south side of the home where they are in direct sunlight most of the day, or they try to hide the AC or heat pump units. Extreme heat can be the enemy of any mechanical equipment; it has to work harder, and creates a shorter life for the equipment. In addition, covering these units makes it more difficult for them to dissipate the reflected heat from the structure. It is more efficient to give your condensing units the space to breathe and a cooler place to reside.

• Set up a regular maintenance schedule for changing furnace and air-handling equipment filters. This helps keep the air return flowing properly through the heat-ing and cooling coils. Regular maintenance in the late spring and fall also benefits the longevity of condensing units and heat pumps. Proper clean-ing of condenser coils will provide proper heat trans-fer, keeping your home cooler and helping equip-ment run longer.

• Seal cracks around the house with weather stripping and caulk to keep cold air in and hot air out. By reducing drafts along baseboards and plugging holes around windows, doors, faucets, pipes and electric outlets, the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy estimates between 10 and 20 percent in energy costs can be saved.

• Use outdoor air to your advantage. Open your windows at night to let cool air in and then close them in the morning to trap it. Avoid unnecessary trips outdoors in the heat of the day.

• Use curtains and blinds to keep the sun out on hot days.

• Consider shading your home by installing awnings over windows in direct sunlight.

• Operate ceiling fans in a counter-clockwise direction, which forces air down and creates a cooling effect.

• Natural ventilation can take some of the strain off electrical systems. In breezy, dry climates ventilation can eliminate the need for an air conditioner altogether. For the many who need air-conditioning to cool their homes, attic vents and fans can help reduce energy costs.

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortable to cut back on en-ergy costs. Do not waste electricity cooling an empty home. Invest in a programmable thermostat to set your tempera-ture a few degrees higher while you are away. The smaller the difference between your thermostat and the outdoor air temperature, the more you will save on your utility bill.

• Consider investing in an Energy Star-rated air-conditioning unit. Appliances with an Energy Star rating meet and often exceed energy efficiency standards and can end up saving you money over the lifetime of the appliance. For those liv-ing in arid climates, consider evaporative or swamp coolers, which release moisture into the air for a cooling effect. These coolers work at a fraction of the cost of air conditioners.

For more information on energy efficiency and safety, visit EnergyEdCouncil.org.

While Some Like It Hot, Outdoor AC Units Do Not

A

If you already called 811 to have facilities located but suspect that there are ad-ditional buried lines where you need to dig, do not put a shovel in the ground until you get a private contractor to locate the lines.

SAFE, NOT SORRY