What To Do If the Lights Go Out
Contents
1. July 2 CYCLE 4 Billing Date June 23 Due Date July 9 June 2015 HILCOEC Texas Co op Power 19 HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Electrical Fact and Myth WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRICITY you have to know the facts They might save your life one day Here are some common electrical myths proved false Myth Once an electrical line is down it is dead Fact The electric current does not always turn off when a power line is down Even if lines do not show signs of life arcing smoking buzzing popping they can still hold a dan gerous electrical current Always treat a downed wire as if it s energized because there is no way for you to know by looking whether it is hot or not Just stay away and keep others away Myth All power lines are insulated Fact Most power lines actually are not insulated The coating on the lines is mainly for weatherproofing and will not offer any protection from the electrical current Even if a power line is insulated its insulation can crack due to weather reducing its safety No matter the case it is never safe to touch a power line Myth There is no need to worry about power lines when digging a hole Fact Always call 811 before you dig to have a professional come to your home and locate buried public utility lines free of charge No matter the size of a digging project if you come into contact with a buried power line you could be electro cute2. LISA F YOUNG SHUTTERSTOCK COM Co op News HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE What To Do IT the Lights Go Out MESSAGE FROM ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER THOMAS CHEEK WHAT IS YOUR FIRST REACTION WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT Do you refuse to believe it s really happening and flick the light switch on and off several times Or does a song pop into your head like The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia or When the Lights Go Down by Journey Whatever your reaction is Iam sure you are not literally dancing in the dark like Bruce Springs teen says If your service is interrupted you can help us get your lights back on as soon as possible by reporting the outage If your breakers are not tripped then keep in mind the outage may still be only at your location Early notification of an outage will ensure that it is coordinated and responded to as promptly and safely as pos sible Don t always assume that someone else will report the outage HILCO has some simple and convenient options to report outages Choose the one that works best for you 1 Call our toll free number at 1 800 338 6425 or dial 254 687 2331 to speak directly to one of our member service representatives or navigate through our interactive voice response system 2 Report outages online at hilco coop 3 Email outages to outages hilco coop be sure to include your name and account number 4 Report outages from your smartphone using the SmartHub app This app
3. With correct information our outage management system can predict the location and the possible cause of an outage making it easier for our crews to correct the problem Keeping the co op updated with your contact info also helps us when there s a question about energy use or billing If we can reach you readily any discrepancies on your account don t have time to become big problems and they can be taken care of promptly Visit hilco coop or call 1 800 338 6425 and make sure you re up to date By keeping your contact information up to date you can take full advantage of the services your electric cooperative offers E 22 Texas Co op Power HILCOEC June 2015 ISTOCK COM GEORGIJEVIC Despite how appropriate its name sounds duct tape is not a good choice for sealing duct work Ducts Make a Difference DOES THE CONDITION OF MY AIR DUCTS make a difference in my home s energy use The short answer is Yes Ducts that move air to and from a forced air furnace central air conditioner or heat pump are often big energy wast ers if they have leaks Sealing and insu lating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent Focus first on sealing the ducts that run through the attic crawlspace or unheated basement in your home Use duct sealant also Known as mastic or metal backed tape to seal the seams and the connections between ducts After sealing the ducts i
4. national parks They have two children and six grandchildren hilco coop June 2015 HILCOEC Texas Co op Power 25
5. Ann Mershawn promise us In 2004 the Mershawns set out to fulfill their dreams of having a farm and getting back to the basics of life They decided they would plant five plum trees on their 23 acre farm for plum jelly and the planting never stopped Today they have more than 1 000 peach trees 35 pear trees 30 plum trees and 1 acre of blackberries In 2008 Ann and Ray decided to let locals come in and pick their own fruit Thus began Pick Ur Own at Majestic Farms Majestic Farms offers a wide variety of fruits but what s available depends on what s in season To get the best fruit you need an idea of what to look for gt Blackberries usually ripen in May and go to July Berries should be uniform in color and should come off easily from the plant if ripe When picking you should pick berries that are growing knee to chest high gt Peaches are usually avail able June to mid August Peaches that are ripe will separate easily from the twig be rich in color smell sweet and have a little softness gt Plums usually start in June As plums ripen they first change color then soften then the skin takes on a powdery appearance If you are looking for something to do with the kids or simply want to make your own fruit infused treat with the fresh fruit picked by your own hands visit Majestic Farms in western Hill County of Peoria Call first to check availability Visit their website for more inform
6. ECTRIC COOPERATIVE Stay Connected Update your contact information IN THE UTILITY BUSINESS we know rough weather will occur and sometimes power outages simply can t be avoided But did you know there are steps you can take to ensure that your electricity is restored as quickly and safely as possible If HILCO Electric Cooperative doesn t have the correct phone number linked to your home address it becomes much more difficult for you to report an outage By keeping your contact information up to date you can take full advantage of the ser vices we Offer Remember when you had to speak to a customer service representative to report a power outage Waiting on hold could be frustrating and time consuming espe cially in a house with no power Today with the press of a button you can easily report an outage 14912513 At HILCO EC we use the phone number you provide to link your service address to our outage management system For example if you call us to report an outage our automated system instantly recognizes your phone number and can determine the particular service address from which you are reporting an outage Once you give our system a response your outage is reported It s that simple But remember A link to an old number gets us nowhere The system only works if your current phone number is linked to your service address Updating your contact information also is helpful because it speeds up the power restoration process
7. also allows you to view and pay your bill online SmartHub is available on any Android or iOS smartphone or tablet You may also view and track current outages by visiting our website and clicking on the Outage Map The map provides real time outage information At HILCO Electric we know it is never convenient to lose power but be cer tain our team is on the job HILCO is available 24 7 for power restoration We are here to serve you our members For more helpful outages tips visit our website at hilco coop In the event of an outage always keep a storm kit handy 18 Texas Co op Power HILCOEC June 2015 Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative KE _ BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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 GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO Debra A Cole COOPERATIVE OFFICES Itasca Headquarters 115 E Main St PO 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 254 687 2331 local or 1 800 338 6425 t
8. as hit a utility pole or power lines have fallen onto or near it stay in the car and warn others to stay away Wait for a utility crew to cut the power to the lines Only exit the car if it is on fire Make sure to not touch the ground and the car at the same time Jump from the car keeping your feet together and hop away from the scene lL a i i pa j l 7 Ai i Always eat downed wire as Gif it s energized because thete Milis no way for you to know by a ooking whether it is hot or not ify hilco coop ISTOCK COM JEFFHOCHSTRASSER p ri aa I k ba m Lamm TS ie L 7 T k i J i le j T E I i i i p ii a TUAT FP i 4 E 5 y k 7 Ae ie is i n 1 Electric Cooperamm Tas Dow bees Peer Lot HILCO Members Honored at Picnic HILCO EMPLOYEES WEARING RED SHIRTS LINED UP TO GREET members and their families as they filed in on the mild spring day of March 27 for the Annual Southern Member Appreciation Picnic Doors opened promptly at 5 30 p m and guests entered to the sound of Czech music being played by the Charles Nemec Band Employees passed out canvas tote bags filled with HILCO branded goodies as members made their way to the food line where Michna s Bar B Que served up more than 650 plates of mouth watering barbecue with all the trimmings Once members and their guests found their way to their seats General Manager CEO Debra Cole welcomed them with opening statements an
9. ation at majesticfarms net 24 Texas Co op Power HILCOEC June 2015 ISTOCK COM ROJOIMAGES RECIPE OF THE MONTH Blackberry Cobbler 8 cups fresh blackberries 1 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar divided use 5 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 teaspoon fine salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 12 pieces 19 inch frozen deep dish pie crust thawed 1 Heat oven to 375 degrees and put a rack in the middle Line a baking sheet with paper towels set aside 2 Rinse the berries and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet to dry slightly Trans fer the berries to a large bowl add 114 cups sugar flour and salt and stir gently to combine 3 Place a 9 inch deep dish pie plate on a foil lined baking sheet Pour the berry mixture into the pie plate and spread into an even layer Dis tribute butter evenly on top 4 Tear the thawed pie crust into large pieces and place over the ber ries leaving some space between the pieces so that the berries are visible Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon sugar 5 Bake until the berries are bub bling and the crust is golden brown about 40 to 45 minutes Place ona wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired hilco coop BLACKBERRIES ISTOCK COM KAAN ATES 1 800 338 6425 254 687 2331 HILCO COOP Meet the People Who Work for You Todd Anderson has helped provide
10. ce We hope that the tips provided on this page will serve asa guide to energy conservation You can learn more about Beat the Peak on our web site at hilco coop Your efforts combined with those of your fellow members will make a BIG dif SAVE ENERGY AND EXPENSE Don t use from 4 00 PM to 8 00 PM When peak usage is highest ference Let us all work together to beat the peak Tips To Beat the Peak gt On nice days choose to cook on your outdoor grill rather than using your electric range gt Delay major appliance usage especially in the kitchen and laundry room gt Turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances gt Delay hot water usage gt During peak times raise your thermostat 2 to 3 degrees and use ceiling fans to keep air circulating hilco coop N _ ii K F y i j WE i 1 i 7 w i S bt ISTOCK COM STOKKETE Keep your refrigerator s temperature set at 35 to 38 degrees and make sure the seals around the doors are airtight Cool Down Refrigerator Costs AS WARM TEMPERATURES settle in for the summer refrigerators are set to get a workout keeping food and drinks cool for hot and thirsty friends and family members Follow these tips to reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator uses Minimize the number of times you open your refrigerator Plan accordingly so you don t have to leave the door open for prol
11. d her humorous jokes before turning the mic over to Board President George Thiess to give his welcoming speech followed by Board Vice President Joe Tedesco who gave the invocation and led guests in the Pledge of Allegiance Cole expressed her gratitude to the directors staff employees and members for attending the picnic We look forward to our picnics every year as a means of getting to see our members and showing our appreciation to them she said 18270100 The highly anticipated prize drawing was conducted by HILCO Assistant General Manager Thomas Cheek Names were drawn for a total of 28 great prizes A special thank you to the kids for helping with our big prize drawing The kids did an outstanding job and we appreciate their help Our vendors and subsidiary also deserve a big thank you for their generosity in contributing prizes HILCO U S Propane donated two 50 gallon deliveries of propane T amp D Solutions donated an electric scooter and helmet and Schneider Engineering donated a 100 Walmart card The event is hosted each year by the HILCO Board of Directors President George Thiess Vice President Joe Tedesco Secretary Treasurer Jan Smith Director Ron Roberts Director Bill Allen Director Margaret Hill Director Leroy Huff and staff and employees to show their appreciation to the members of HILCO Electric We would like to thank everyone for coming out and we look forward to seeing you all next year HILCO EL
12. d or seriously injured Myth It is safe to work around a power line at home as long as direct contact is not made Fact Electricity can jump or arc from a line to the near 20 Texas Co op Power HILCOEC June 2015 Know the Difference est conductor which could be you Always keep yourself and equipment at least 10 feet from power lines This goes for lad ders pool skimmers pruning poles and any other equipment Always be aware of where power lines are so you do not risk electric shock If you are planning to trim trees or attempt any do it yourself project near power lines always call profession als for the job instead Myth It is safe to remove the third prong from a plug Fact The third prong is a safety feature designed to reduce the risk of shock or electrocution That prong grounds the electrical current If the outlet is only fit for a two pronged plug replace the outlet with a three pronged one or even better a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet which pre vents electric shocks Myth Tires insulate my car from electrical dangers Fact If a wire falls on your car while you are in it the tires do not keep you from being injured by the electricity The vehi cle is the path to ground for the electrical current so while you remain in the car you are safe As soon as you step out of the car you become the path to ground and are in immediate danger If you find yourself in a situation where your car h
13. mber in the local HILCO pages in the center of the magazine If it s YOUR electric account number call us before the end of June you have won a 50 credit on your HILCO electric bill 254 687 2331 or 1 800 338 6425 Having your AC inspected by a professional before you fire it up for the summer can save you money and head aches in the future A serviceperson should check the motor blower drain line coils operating pressures and temperatures return and supply lines refrigerant levels and the air filter Power TIO hilco coop RUNZELKORN DOLLAR PHOTO CLUB JUNE Bulletin June 5 6 Hillsboro s New Bond s Alley Art Festival Hillsboro June 6 Ist Annual 5K Color Run Walk Whitney Elementary 7 a m 1 p m June 12 14 Riverplace Friends Art Workshop Clifton 254 622 8364 June 20 Father s Day Tailgate Cook Off Laguna Park Library 254 622 2665 PAREA PAHE S IDA SUNDAY JUNE 21 My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person He believed in me Jim Valvano BILLING SCHEDULE Payments are due by close of business at 5 p m on the due date CYCLE 1 Billing Date June 2 Due Date ee June 18 CYCLE 2 Billing Date June 9 Due Date June 25 CYCLE 3 Billing Date June 16 Due Date July 2 CYCLE 13 Billing Date June 17 Due Date
14. members with safe reliable electricity for over 13 years As a first class lineman Todd fully embodies the heart and dedication it takes to do a lineman s job Todd always ensures safety while performing his daily operations and braving the elements of our unpredictable weather Todd says that he appreciates his co workers and fellow linemen he works alongside each day Todd enjoys hunting fishing golfing and coaching little league T ball He and his wife Ashley have three daughters Maci Taytum and Bryton Lacey Warren has committed to putting HILCO members first for over 12 years Lacey began her career with HILCO as a dispatch clerk in 2008 and today is the assistant office manager in HILCO s satellite office in Whitney She remains dedicated to ensuring that members still receive the friendly service they deserve Lacey enjoys her co workers and the members she works with on a daily basis and prides herself on her responsibilities with the electric and subsidiary services that HILCO provides to our members Lacey takes pleasure in spending time with her husband Jeremy and their two children Jeremy Jr and Lily She loves being outdoors and woodworking Sue Rivera has brought her friendly demeanor to HILCO and its members for more than 13 years Sue began her career as a dispatch clerk and a few years later HILCO called upon her expertise as an operations clerk In this role she works diligently to keep the linemen and operation
15. n those spaces wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter Next seal any ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house And as with any home main tenance job if you don t feel capable of doing the work yourself call a profes sional Any extra time and expense will be worth the savings you could see hilco coop NRECA 1 800 338 6425 254 687 2331 HILCO COOP Help HILCO Beat the Peak BEAT THE PEAK IS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM designed to encourage members to reduce energy usage during peak hours 4 to 8 p m every day from June through September At HILCO Electric the cost of power accounts for the vast majority of our total operating expenses As a cooperative member you can help control some of that expense by helping reduce peak power costs Each year HILCO is billed for wholesale power from October of one year through September of the following year based on an average of the highest peak usage in June July August and September Because demand is so high during those months energy prices increase and the co op must pass those costs on to the members If HILCO members can collectively beat the peak they can help control costs and reduce expenses The less electricity we have to purchase at peak pricing the lower the costs to our members Beating peak demand may seem overwhelming at first but small changes can make a big differen
16. oll free EMAIL hilco hilco coop FIND US ON THE WEB hilco coop hilco coop 1 800 338 6425 254 687 2331 HILCO COOP Safety First Under the Sun SUNSHINY DAYS are an invitation to head outdoors sometimes for fun sometimes for chores Either way HILCO Electric Coop erative offers these tips to keep you safe Products like tillers lawnmowers mulchers hedge trimmers leaf blowers and chain saws can cut burn and even blind when directions are not followed Study each product s manual for safe operation rules and always follow them Outdoor electrical appliances and power tools should always be gt Plugged in and turned on only when in use gt Stored indoors with a few exceptions such as electric barbecue grills which can be covered to remain outdoors and away from water and excessive heat gt Used only when all safety guards are in place Outdoor electrical appliances and power tools should never be gt Left unattended even temporarily If there is a key remove it Put the product where no curious child or unqualified adult can misuse it gt Carried by their cords gt Used while wet or close to water gt Used near sharp edges or in conditions that can damage the product its cord or its plug gt Repaired by anyone who is not authorized by the manufacturer or trained to repair the particular product CD As you re reading your Texas Co op Power look for the hidden account nu
17. onged periods of time An open door allows warm moist air to enter which makes the compressor work harder Set the appropriate temperature Keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit Place your fridge in a cool place Position the refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven a dishwasher or direct sunlight from a window Allow air circulation behind the fridge Leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator and keep the condenser coils clean if you have an older model Read the user s manual to learn how to safely clean coils Check the door seals Make sure the refrigerator seals around the door are air tight If not replace them If you buy a new refrigerator be sure to recycle your old one Many appliance retailers will pick up and recycle your old refrigerator when you purchase a new one June 2015 HILCOEC Texas Co op Power 253 HILCO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Locally Grown Goodness A Visit to Majestic Farms WITH BRISK WINTER IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR and a delightful spring coming to an end a joyful summer approaches us with the promise of juicy chin drippin peaches mouth watering plums and sweet succulent blackberries There s something exhilarating about sinking your teeth into the fruit you just picked with your own hands fruit that hasn t been coated with wax and has never seen a grocery store or a barcode sticker This is what HILCO members and Majestic Farms owners Ray and
18. s in order Sue says that she loves everything about her career from working with the linemen and crews to working outages and restorations In Sue s free time she enjoys traveling with her husband Chris and his band as well as gardening gathering with family and friends and spending time with her grandchildren Sheri Sanders has devoted 12 plus years to HILCO and its members She began her career working as a member service representative at HILCO s satellite office in Whitney Today she brings that same com mitment and efficiency to the accounting department as an accounts receivable billing clerk Here Sheri is in charge of resolving meter discrepancies assisting with billing adjustments and other responsibilities Sheri enjoys spending time with her husband Jeff and their two daughters Kylie and Payden Some of her favorite hobbies include team roping running and watching her children engage in sport activities Pam Lewis has provided HILCO with hard work and dedication for more than 14 years Pam began her career with HILCO as accounting coordinator and still holds that position today She has a strong eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills which help make her daily operations run more efficiently Pam states that always changing technology gives her the opportunity to learn new and more efficient ways to perform her duties Pam and Bob her husband of 44 years love camping boating and traveling to state and
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