You’re a member, not a meter. - Member Owned · Members were repaid $4.5 million in Capital Credit Member ... and those mornings turn chilly, thoughts slowly turn ... most frequently

Farmers Electric Cooperative is just that - cooperative. We strive to bring value to our

members while providing reliable power to the communities we serve. And a co-op does

serve its communities – that is what separates us from For-Profit Providers. Keeping the

best interest of our communities at heart is one of our main missions. We hope you see the

difference as a member of Farmers EC.

Members receive FREE home energy

audits and advice on how to save.

Members were repaid $4.5 million in Capital Credit Member

Bonuses in 2015 because of our financial stability.

FIND MORE MEMBER BENEFITS AT: FarmersElectric.coop

YOU’RE IN POWER.903 455 1715 | FarmersElectric.coop | 2000 Interstate 30 East, Greenville, TX 75402

You’re a member, not a meter.There’s more to your electricity than just a bill.

FARMERS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

CO-OP NEWS

The uniqueness of the electric cooperative model as a service organization speaks to its effectiveness and vitality. One of the amazing facts about electric

co-ops is that they have operated in the United States for more than 80 years, and during that time the basic model hasn’t changed. Members and co-op staff don’t want to miss a single opportunity to keep the cost of power to a minimum. For us, that goal involves controlling expenses and maintaining a quality system that delivers the kind of service members expect and deserve. The co-op focuses on controlling expenses without compromising service, and members can also play a role. The most effective way to lower your monthly bill is through energy conservation. Factors that affect the level of your energy consumption include the energy efficiency of your home, the number and type of electric appliances used and your household’s lifestyle. As a conscientious co-op member, you may want to look at these three areas to find ways to minimize your consumption.

1. Energy Efficiency: The type of home you live in represents a decision to consume a certain range of electricity each month. The energy efficiency of a structure plays a major role in determining how much electricity is actually used. With less than required insulation, inefficient heating and cooling systems, inefficient appliances, and leaky doors and windows, a smaller home may use more energy than a larger, more energy-efficient home. Weatherstripping and caulking are inexpensive ways to stop air infiltration and are something you can do yourself.

2. Quantity and Type of Electric Appliances: It’s especially important to make sure that appliances—including air-cooling and heating systems—have high energy efficiency ratings. As computers and other electronic appliances have become a greater part of household life, their presence adds to the demand for energy. Without really thinking about the increased energy use, families might add TVs, video game systems and computers to the home; over time, the sum total of those additions can drive up the demand for power. The newest technologies and devices may make our lives easier, but keep in mind that part of the cost involves the electricity necessary to keep them running. It’s important to have your heating and cooling system serviced by a qualified professional to make sure it’s in top working order. And don’t forget to change the filters at least monthly while the system’s in use.

3. Lifestyle and Energy Use: If you’re “hot natured,” you may prefer to run the air conditioner more often than other people. If that’s the case, be aware that your choice has an impact on your electric bill. Similarly, having a lot of people running in and out of the house leaving doors open, taking long, hot showers or baths and leaving lights or appliances on when not in use—all these actions can drive up the demand for kilowatt-hours. Consuming more power means creating a higher electric bill.

Farmers Electric Cooperative strives to make sure our members have all the power they need and to control costs as much as possible, but your choices and habits play a big role in your electric bill each month. For more tips on how to manage your electric use, visit FarmersElectric.coop.

FarmersElectric.coop

Electric Cooperative Model

by MARK STUBBSGeneral Manager

Farmers EC makes it easy to get replacement filters.Go to: www.filterchange.coop/?affid=TX067. Choose your size, the brand and get it shipped directly to you.

UP TO $50

2016 HVAC SYSTEM TUNE-UP RULES: Limited to one rebate per HVAC system per member per year. Rebates $100 or less will be credited to your account.

UP TO $500 2016 HVAC SYSTEMRULES: Applies to new construction or replacement of an existing unit. Minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 15.0. Two-ton minimum to qualify. If replacing, it must include complete inside and outside components. NO rebates for window units or ductless units.

PREPARE FOR WINTER WITH 2016 HVAC REBATES

CO-OP NEWS

Show your heating system some love before things get too chilly. As your family settles into the back-to-school routine

and those mornings turn chilly, thoughts slowly turn

to pumpkins, fallen leaves and keeping warm. But you

shouldn’t take for granted staying warm while keeping

your energy bills reasonable.

If it could talk, your heating system would be telling...

no, screaming, some things at you. First, it would say that

it’s very likely that you’re wasting money, and that it can go

kaput at any moment if the neglect doesn’t stop. Specifically,

your heating unit would want you to know:

You can’t ignore the air filter One of the most important, and easiest, things you can

do is change your air filter every month. When the filter gets

dirty, the congestion makes the system work harder. That

ultimately increases your energy bills and can potentially

shorten the life of your unit.

The U.S. Department of Energy says the average

household energy bill is $2,200 a year. Changing your air

filter every month or so can save from 5 to 15 percent.

And it’s not just about money. If anyone in your family

suffers from allergies or asthma, dirty air filters can worsen

the air quality and exacerbate the symptoms. Replacing your

filter removes much of the dust and pollen particles and

ensures that your air quality stays healthy.

Pay attention to your thermostat If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you should

get one. With a programmable thermostat, you can set the

temperature colder during the night when you’re asleep

(pile on the blankets or use an electric blanket) and during

the day if everyone’s away at work and school.

An HVAC contractor should check out your thermostat

during a routine tune-up to make sure its running

efficiently and is calibrated properly. If it’s out of whack,

you could be paying more than you need to and your

house won’t heat as efficiently as it should.

When installing a thermostat, it should be placed away

from any cold or heat sources. An interior wall away from

drafts and sunlight is a good location.

Carbon monoxide dangers can lurk As part of a seasonal tune-up, a professional HVAC

contractor will make sure your unit doesn’t show any sign

of carbon monoxide. It’s dangerous because it’s colorless,

odorless and scentless, so it’s frequently not detected until

it’s too late.

Each year more than 400 people die from unintentional

carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention.

An HVAC tune-up is really worth it New systems and air conditioners cost thousands of

dollars. And energy bills are high enough without inefficient

systems increasing them even more.

An HVAC contractor can provide cleaning and a check-up

at the start of fall to make sure your heater is functioning

properly. This will help extend the life of the unit and

ultimately save you money on your energy bill.

Check your fireplace You can reduce heat loss in your home by cleaning and

checking your fireplace. To make sure that heat doesn’t

escape through your chimney, keep your fireplace damper

closed when the fireplace is not in use. Keeping the heat in

and air out can also be done by sealing unused fireplaces

or caulking around the fireplace hearth. If you have a

fireplace and a heating system in your home, avoid running

both at the same time. If you have a wood-burning fireplace,

consider switching to a gas, which will reduce air pollution

and save you on energy costs.

FARMERS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

October 2016

Odds & EndsFair, festival, class or show—share your community event with

us and we’ll help you get the word out with the Farmers EC

Community Calendar.

SEND TO: [email protected]

RECIPE

Pecan Praline Crunch

FEATURED EVENT

Boo on BallardOct 27 | Wylie TX

Boo on Ballard is a safe alternative for Wylie families as they can walk through downtown and receive candy and treats from local merchants. Presented by the Wylie Downtown Merchants Association and the City of Wylie, the downtown trick-or-treat and family festival is set for Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The downtown streets are transformed into a Halloween Wonderland featuring trick-or-treating, live music, and carnival games. The event is free and is the Downtown Merchants’ way of saying thank-you to the community for its support and patronage throughout the year.

The Wylie Downtown Merchants Association’s mission is to promote, revitalize, and increase business activity in downtown Wylie and the City of Wylie, while supporting programs of a civic, social, and cultural nature that are designed to increase the functional and aesthetic values of our historic downtown. Make plans to bring family and friends downtown for the next great event.

For more information, contact 972-442-5515 or visit www.discoverwylie.com.

Did YouKnow

An average household dedicates about 5% of its energy budget to lighting. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, you can save $75 each year. 

INGREDIENTS 1 box (12 ounces) cereal

squares of your choice

2 cups pecan pieces

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup (½ stick) butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

DIRECTIONS1. Heat oven to 250 degrees. Mix cereal and nuts

and set aside.

2. Mix syrup, sugar and butter in microwavable bowl and microwave for 1 ½ minutes. Stir and

microwave another 30 seconds to 1 minute or until boiling.

3. Add vanilla and baking soda, and stir to combine.

4. Pour syrup mixture over cereal mixture until well coated. Spread on large cookie sheet. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

5. When done, pour onto waxed paper and allow to cool.

CO-OP NEWS

FarmersElectric.coop

As Long as You’re Blowing Leaves

As long as you’re blowing leaves and caulking around windows this fall, put one more chore on your to-do list: Add some attic insulation. The time to get your home in shape for heating season is early fall, long before you need to turn the heat on. If your attic doesn’t have enough insulation—or if, over the years, it has come loose—it won’t keep your home’s comfy, heated air from pouring out through the roof. Heat rises, so the warm air in your home wafts upward to your attic. Without proper insulation, it winds up outdoors. In fact, your home probably loses more heat through the attic than anywhere else. So poke your head up into your attic. Do you see bare patches on the attic floor or ceiling, where insulation is missing? Is insulation drooping in spots? Insulation can’t do its job if it isn’t touching the surface it’s meant to insulate.

So hire a handyman to reattach and add insulation up there. Or do this yourself; it’s a pretty simple job. A bonus: A properly insulated attic also will stop cool, air-conditioned air from escaping through the roof during the summer.