BOARD OF TRUSTEES DISTRICT 1
Thomas Ellis Tom James James Sikes
Getting ready for the summer run R. Gary Harrison
DISTRICT 2
Helena Duncan Kim Jackson, Vice Chairman John Livings DISTRICT 3
Andrew Callaway, Chairman Jimmy Ellis, Secretary/Treasurer Albert Perry TELEPHONE Customer Service 1.888.349.4332 Outage Reporting 1.800.239.1367 24-Hour Automated Account Information 1.866.285.2359
PAYMENT OPTIONS By Mail: Post Office Box 30 Union Springs, AL 36089 In Person: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday 9100 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL 36117 402 East Blackmon Union Springs, AL 36089 Night Deposit: Available at both offices AMEX, Discover, MasterCard and Visa accepted in office, online and through our automated phone system Online: www.dixie.coop Find us on:
Dixie Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 4 MARCH 2022
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At a recent meeting with our power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, their engineers were talking about preparing the generation facilities for the “summer run.” We recognize that for most members, all you really want to know about our electricity is that the light will always come on when you flip the switch regardless of whether it is the coldest or warmest day of the year. However, we want everyone to understand that a lot of long-term planning goes into making sure we are able to achieve the level of reliability that you expect from your electric cooperative. When planning for the summer load on the electric grid, it is important that the system has been modeled correctly so that when a week hits with heat indices steadily exceeding 100 degrees, we know we have the generation capacity to handle it. To ensure the generation system is prepared for the summer run, PowerSouth goes through an extensive maintenance schedule with their equipment. For comparison purposes, I would compare their maintenance to the spring tune ups we recommend our members have performed on their HVAC equipment to ensure it is operating as efficiently as possible and to find any potential equipment issues so repairs can be made before the hot weather hits. PowerSouth’s maintenance is just on a much larger scale. While our power supplier is working to prepare for their “summer run,” I encourage each of you to look at your equipment around your business, farm or home. Are you ready
for the summer run? Are your air conditioning units working properly or are there issues that may be just fine when the temperature is 80 degrees outside but a disaster when they get over 90 degrees? Much like a hole in your roof isn’t necessarily a problem until it rains, an inefficient air conditioning unit isn’t a problem until it isn’t working on the hottest day of the year. I realize that your air conditioner may not be the top thing on your mind at the beginning of March. As I am writing this article, we are experiencing a cold snap, and March could just as easily experience the same cold weather or could have temperatures in the 90-degree range. You never know what you will get with Alabama weather. The reason I encourage everyone to get their HVAC system looked at this time of year is because once the hot weather hits and people start experiencing problems with their air conditioning units, the heating and cooling companies will be swamped with calls, and you could be waiting a while to get help with your system. In addition, if your equipment is not functioning properly it is going to use more electricity and your bill will be much higher. When I had a unit that needed refrigerant, the unit ran constantly and was not cooling. Not only was my family burning up from the heat, but my unit was also burning up the kilowatthours and causing my bill to increase. I often get asked why the cooperative would encourage someone to use less electricity since we are in the business to sell electricity. As a www.alabamaliving.coop
2/16/22 12:29 PM
