Stay safe when the temperature drops - A s you're getting ready to pull out the sweaters and - Brunswick Electric ...
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OCTOBER 2020
Stay safe when the temperature drops
A
s you’re getting ready to pull out the sweaters and
jackets, take a moment to consider some of the
things you should do to make sure your family stays
both warm and protected later this year.
z When using supplemental heaters, be sure to use them
safely. Keep anything flammable a safe distance from
all sides of space heaters, including drapes, furniture,
blankets, pillows, newspapers and books. It’s a good idea
to educate your children to do the same.
z Here are some things you should never do. Never run
cords underneath area rugs. Never fall asleep with an
z If you have a fireplace, be sure to have it professionally
electric blanket on, and make sure its cord and plug
sweeped before using it for the first time this season. If it
are in good shape. Never cover an electric blanket with
has a blower, clean it as well. Make sure the damper and
another blanket. Never use a camp stove or gas oven for
chimney cap are working properly, and that the gasket,
heat; although they will generate warmth, they will also
glass doors and ash dump are functioning as they should.
generate toxic gas.
Make sure you burn only dense, seasoned wood that has
z Make sure your electric panel is unobstructed and
been split and stored in a dry place for at least six months.
easily accessed, and the switches and circuits are clearly
z Lastly, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide
marked and working. Do a check of the electrical outlets
detectors have fresh batteries, and test both devices to
in each room of your house to be make sure they aren’t
make sure they are working. And then, have a great time
overloaded, and use appropriately rated power strips or
enjoying the cooler weather.
hire an electrician to install more outlets where necessary.
Like to lower your electric bill? Tips
z Turning your thermostat down by 10–15 degrees
while you are out or asleep can save you up to
z Turn the temperature of your
water heater down to the
Tools
10% on your heating costs. However, turning the warm setting, 120 degrees. If
temperature up more than two degrees at a time it’s not already insulated, consider wrapping a water
can cause heat strips to come on. A programmable heater jacket or blanket around the unit for a savings
thermostat can adjust the temperature in cost saving of up to 16% on your water heating costs.
increments, making sure the temperature is where z Schedule maintenance for your heating system, and
you want it when you return or wake up. replace furnace and heat pump filters monthly or
z Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, as needed. A little expense up front can make sure
gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated your system is running as efficiently as possible, and
ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and prevent break downs.
closets. A little effort can yield a big payoff.
October 2020 | 17
Considering rooftop solar?
Call me first.
R
ooftop solar, when done the down payment. The larger the system, of your shingles
right way, can help you lower the larger the credit they get. The to see if a new
your energy bill while being homeowner will likely be stuck with roof is necessary
environmentally conscious. Done the payments that stretch for decades, and, before installing
wrong way, it can be expensive and the number of panels on a roof not built rooftop solar.
frustrating. The key is to answer some for them creates wind shear and other Together we’ll
important questions before entering liabilities. Further, if this company goes look at your usage
into a contract, and to work with a solar out of business, and the house needs history to see how Nicky Nance
Key Accounts
company that is reputable and will be a new roof or roof repairs, it will be solar will work and Renewables
around for years to come. One of my difficult to find another solar company for you, discuss Specialist
responsibilities at the co-op is to help who will remove and reinstall another what you expect
our members make smart decisions company’s panels. from a solar system, and talk about our
regarding renewables, and based on For these and other reasons I’d like net metering rate. Then, I’ll give you
my experience, I strongly an estimate on the size
recommend that you call system you’ll need, so
me first when considering you’ll never be oversold.
rooftop solar. Here’s why. Finally, I’ll recommend
A 3 to 5½ kW solar some companies that
system is appropriate for have great reputations,
most homes in our area. that we have experience
This size balances energy with, and are likely to be
production with payoff around for a long time.
duration, and is generally Remember, when a
large enough to power a deal sounds too good
home when you’re away. to be true, it usually
However, some is. That said, there
companies will assess a are some really great
homeowner’s needs and tell them you to call me first when thinking about solar companies out there, and a little
they need a 10 kW system, or about exploring solar options. Brunswick preparation will facilitate an agreement
32 panels, which is much more than Electric is pro solar, but we are against you’ll be happy with for years to
they actually need. They will offer having our members being taken come. Your best interests are on my
this system for “no money down,” advantage of. mind every day, and I look forward to
because since this company will be When you call, we’ll talk about your talking with you, and helping you make
financing the system, they will take the HVAC system to see if that’s the first decisions that make your life better.
Federal Income Tax Credit associated place to start in the quest for energy
with the sale of the system as their efficiency, and I’ll also ask about the age
ember This section of the newsletter is written by a BEMC employee or member of the
atters executive team about a timely topic that affects you as a member of BEMC.
18 | October 2020National Co-op Month:
The cooperative difference
W
hat does it mean to be have. That’s why our line crew’s sense non-profits and civic groups, and help
a member of a co-op, of urgency when there’s an outage is so our teachers do more in the classroom.
rather than a customer strong. And that’s why our management And we offer educational scholarships
of a company? The difference starts and staff constantly strive for new ways that improve opportunities.
with the purposes of the organizations. to improve service and reduce costs. The cooperative difference is that
Investor-owned utilities have a Being concerned about the welfare of because we are owned by those we serve,
responsibility to produce profit in order the community in general is also woven and we answer to each other, we can
to provide dividends to their investors. into the cooperative culture. Electric do more. Better electric service at the
Electric cooperatives, conversely, co-ops were formed by members to lowest possible cost. Customer service
have a responsibility to provide high- improve the quality of life for each that truly cares about your needs. And
quality electric service at the lowest other. In that spirit, Brunswick Electric community development that benefits
possible cost to you, because all of you has initiated and overseen a variety of us all. We hope you see how your
collectively own the company and have economic development efforts. We’ve membership makes a difference.
given it that mission. That means that created grant programs that assist local
instead of sending profits to investors,
investment can be made in systems
and infrastructure, leading to a more
robust and resilient system and faster
restoration times after weather events.
It also means that being a good steward
of co-op finances is essential. Any
revenue after expenses and planning
for growth is returned to you when it is
prudent to do so.
Because co-ops are democratically
controlled by the membership, each of
you has an equal vote in the election
of the Board of Directors, who must be
members to qualify. The Board hires the
CEO and oversees policy and planning;
and is accountable to the membership.
Employees at the co-op understand that
they work for you, and that they are a
part of an organization that was built to
serve the membership. It’s a culture that
can be very different than the culture
at for-profit companies. That’s why
the CSRs that answer your calls go the
extra mile to get you the answers you
need and resolve any issues you may
October 2020 | 19Advice on Passwords
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
z Use a long passphrase z Unique account, z Use a password manager
Consider using the longest unique password With one master password
password or passphrase permissible. Each time you reuse a password you can generate and retrieve
A news headline or book title, with it chips away at your security. passwords for every account you
capitalization and punctuation Find easy to remember ways to have, protecting your credit card
changes, work well. customize a standard password for and bank information as well as
z Don’t make them easy to guess each new site. answers to security questions.
Don’t use your pet’s name or z Double your login protection
anything that would be easy to find Enable multi-factor authentication
on social media. (MFA) to ensure that the only
z Keep them private person that has access to that
Don’t tell anyone your passwords account is you. If MFA is an
and watch for attackers trying option, enable it by using your
to trick you into revealing them smartphone, an authenticator app,
through emails or calls. or a secure token—a small device
that can hook onto your key ring.
True or False?
Closing vents and Hand-washing dishes rather Electronic chargers don’t
registers in unused rooms than using the dishwasher use energy if plugged in
saves energy can save you energy. and disconnected from
False. Heat pump HVAC False. Hand-washing a load the device.
systems produce enough of dishes requires a lot of hot False. Although this may be
airflow to fill their ductwork water, and therefore a lot of true for some, most chargers
systems and will continue to do energy. Today, most dishwashers still use power while plugged
so even if one or more of the air vents have energy-efficient settings. These in but not connected to their
in your household are closed. Closing settings typically allow you to run a device. If your charger feels warm to
AC vents simply redirects the airflow load of dishes using less water and less touch, it is most likely using power. To
into other rooms of the home via other energy than hand-washing. save energy, you should unplug them
open vents. With this extra airflow when they are not being used.
being transferred to other open vents,
the overall air pressure increases and
the system works even harder.
Deborah Ahlers
20 | October 2020You can also read
