February 2021
LightReading inlandpower.com
SAFETY Indoor safety
YOUR COOPERATIVE Inland Power Community Foundation
Inland Power Community Foundation 10110 W Hallett Rd. Spokane, WA 99224 MAIN OFFICE
(509) 747-7151 TOLL FREE
(800) 747-7151 BILLING QUESTIONS
(509) 789-4277 PAYMENT SERVICES
(855) 386-9903 ENERGY CONSERVATION AND REBATES
(509) 789-1801 EMAIL
inlandpower@inlandpower.com SOCIAL
@inlandpower @inlandpowerlight
Helping our members and communities in need
I
nland Power members have long been known for their generosity. From funding scholarships for our young members to rounding energy bills up to the nearest dollar to support those in need, the giving nature of our members is humbling. As we look to all that 2021 has to offer, we also look at the devastating economic impact that 2020 left behind. So many people, Inland members included, have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic and the issues it has caused. The Inland Power Community Foundation, which is governed by a volunteer committee made up of Inland Power members, was started to generate and collect charitable donations to improve the quality of life for our community through individual, family and nonprofit organization donations. The foundation provides funding for energy assistance, youth livestock support, scholarships and nonprofit organizations just to name a few. The committee reviews and discusses each application thoroughly to ensure the funds are distributed responsibly and that Inland members receive priority.
While a great deal of support has been so graciously given, the need to support our members and communities remains. If you are able and would like to give to the community foundation, you can select one of the giving options on your monthly electric bill. There are three ways to give to the foundation. You can round up your monthly bill to the nearest dollar, give a one-time fixed amount or a monthly fixed amount. For questions about the foundation or how to donate, call (509) 789-4277. Your member services team is committed to working with all of our members who may need assistance to set up payment plans and connect with energy assistance programs. If you need assistance with your energy bill, please call our office at (509) 789-4277 and speak with one of your member service representatives. We are so touched by our members’ generosity and we sincerely thank you for your contributions. At Inland Power, our mission is our members, and our members have proven that we are all in this together.
EFFICIENCY Smart thermostats save you $$$
2021 Inland Power Annual Meeting I
t’s a new year, which means it is time to mark your calendars for the 2021 annual meeting. This is a time when Inland Power members come together to direct the future of your cooperative. This year’s event will be held Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Northern Quest Casino Pavilion. Registration begins at 5:15 p.m. and the meeting will kick off at 5:30 p.m. As a cooperative, Inland Power is required to hold an annual meeting according to our bylaws, which is why we are moving forward with our 2021 event. However, this year will look very different.
The event will strictly be a business meeting with a brief update of the state of the cooperative followed by member voting. To meet COVID-19 restrictions, seating at the event will extremely limited. Social distancing and masks will be required throughout the entire event and no refreshments or food will be provided. We highly encourage members to vote by mail and view the video, which will be posted after the meeting at inlandpower.com under the annual meeting tab. Prior to the event, you will receive your annual meeting packet, which includes all of your meeting and voting information to
ensure you have everything you need to vote by mail. These packets were mailed Feb. 1, 2021.
Voting This year, there are five candidates running for three district positions. The candidates for district one are Manny Hochheimer and Chris Davis. Garry Rosman is running from district three. Running for the district five seat is Gale Rettkowski and Bill Johns. Candidate profiles are included in your meeting packet and videos of their campaign speeches can be found under the annual meeting tab on our website. Continued inside
OUR
mission IS OUR members.
- MISSION STATEMENT
Continued from front
In addition to this year’s trustee elections, you have the opportunity to vote on proposed amendments to Inland Power’s bylaws. Details about the proposed amendments along with an overview of the changes are included your annual meeting packet.
Mail-in voters will be eligible to win items such as a $250 Visa gift card or a $250 Inland Power bill credit. We will have several prizes for casting your vote by mail. Owning your own utility has many advantages and we thank you for your continued support.
We wish we could host our usual event, however we must remain cautious given the current health situation the world is facing. If you have questions regarding this year’s annual meeting, please call (509) 747-7151.
Trustee Candidates District One Manny Hochheimer District One Candidate
Chris Davis District One Candidate
District Three Garry Rosman District Three Candidate
Energy savings through smart technology
H
eating and cooling your home can get expensive.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling costs account for roughly half of an annual residential energy bill. That means that when it comes to reducing energy use and cutting home energy costs, the most impact can be made by programming your thermostat. The right thermostat settings could yield energy savings of 8 to 15 percent, and new technology is making it easier than ever to achieve those settings. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled and may be controlled remotely through a tablet, smartphone or voice control. Some models use multiple sensors to monitor temperatures in various parts of the home for more balanced heating or cooling. Some can track user temperature preferences and use the data to optimize your heating and cooling schedule. Some are designed for complex multi-stage systems that will control heating, cooling, dehumidifier and ventilation systems. If you’re interested in controlling your thermostat with your voice or an app,
or in being hands-off and letting it learn your habits, you should consider a smart thermostat. To narrow your choices, factor in smart features, price and attributes that matter most to you, such as color, size or style, and make sure the chosen product supports your HVAC system. Devices can cost around $250, but consumers can easily recoup their money in energy cost savings. These thermostats offer the most advanced system optimization through external sensors and powerful cloud. Inland Power offers a $100 rebate on certain brands of smart thermostats through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). A full list of approved brands and models are listed on inlandpower.com. It is important to note that some of the approved brands have models that are “Lite.” These models do not qualify. Be sure to double check the qualifications before purchasing. Below, Inland Power’s energy services team has provided answers to frequently asked questions regarding smart thermostats.
Answers to your questions
District Five Gale Rettkowski District Five Candidate
Bill Johns District Five Candidate
Your Co-op Connection | Getting to know who works for you
T
om Enquist came to Inland Power in 2020. Prior to joining Inland, he worked as an auditor for the CPA firm Moss Adams for six years.
“I enjoy being able to have a tangible benefit of what I do every day,” Tom said. “I love being able to contribute to something that impacts a lot of people for the better.”
Q: What if I don’t have a heat pump? A: Whether or not you have a heat pump or internet, your wallet and your comfort can benefit from improved controls. Does your thermostat tell you the outside temperature? If not, you could benefit from a new control. Do you know the indoor humidity? Control the humidity and you will be much more comfortable. Q: Why do intelligent controls work so well? A: They “learn” how and when is the best time to start and stop your system. They optimize which system is best to use (heat pump or electric elements) based upon all they can learn from all the varying conditions and constantly fine tuning.
Since the thermostat is constantly monitoring your system for optimization, it will alert you when there is trouble with system performance so you can call for service before problems get more serious. Most importantly, an advanced heating system control will “remember” to turn your system off when you might forget. Q: Where do I set my smart thermostat for optimal efficiency? A: You need to be efficient, so you should set it where you able to be healthy and productive. This is what we need “comfort” systems for. Setting your heat at a lower temperature at night and while away in winter saves money, it does not cost more to reheat with advanced controls in place.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys snowboarding, hiking, camping, rafting, mountain biking, cooking and going to brunch.
Tom Enquist - Plant Accountant
VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS
Safety Column When the power goes out, be sure to find safe ways to heat your home. Never use any outdoor gas-powered appliances indoors. Power outages during the winter months can be challenging, especially if an electric appliance is your home’s only source of heating. Some fuel burning appliances like fireplaces or wood stoves can be great alternatives, but only when operated safely. Other fuel burning appliances not meant for indoor heating can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide when used inside. If you use an appliance like a wood stove or propane fireplace, make sure the flue is clean and your fuel is burning hot and clean. Also ensure all of your carbon monoxide detectors are in place and working correctly. Never use appliances such as gas ovens or barbecues to heat your home. They are not intended for indoor heating, and the carbon monoxide they emit can be deadly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can include headache, confusion and nausea. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning call 911 right away. Remember to always remain safe when keeping warm during an outage.