Light Reading - October 2021

Electricity is good for your wallet

Inland Power is my cooperative!

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2022 board elections Let your voice be heard.

Inland Power’s Travis Swartz (left) and Tig Cornell (right) update Inland transformers.

M

ost of us use electricity, either directly or indirectly. Because electricity is so abundant and available with the simple flip of a switch, it’s easy to take it for granted.

of rent increased 3.4 percent; medical care increased 2.8 percent; and education increased 2.2 percent. But the average cost of electricity only increased 1 percent.

Inland, however, hasn’t increased rates since 2018. Considering all the ways we depend on electricity, it still remains a great value.

According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), the typical U.S. household now uses more air conditioning, appliances and consumer electronics than ever before. The average home also contains 10 or more internet-connected devices. Considering everything that is powered by electricity, it’s no wonder we occasionally might wince at our monthly bill. But keep in mind, it’s no longer just the “light bill.”

Over the last five years, the average cost

SAFETY Generator Safety

Electricy is good for your money EFFICIENCY Is your home winterready?

We care about you, the members we serve, and understand that electricity is more than a commodity––it’s a necessity. That’s why Inland Power will continue working hard to power your life, reliably and affordably.

Electricity powers our quality of life. From the infrastructure of your home (appliances, water heater and HVAC system) to charging your smartphones, computers, ELECTRICITY REMAINS A GOOD VALUE TV and Wi-Fi router, your energy bill The cost of powering your home rises slowly when compared to other covers so much more than lighting. common expenses. Looking at price increases over the last five years, it’s

Typically when demand goes up, so too does the price, as is the case with most goods or services, like cable or even your favorite specialty coffee. However, that’s not true with electricity. Let’s take a look at how the value of electricity compares to other common expenses.

inside...

YOUR COOPERATIVE

So, the next time you’re enjoying your favorite podcast, TV series or movie, consider the value of electricity and how it enhances your quality of life.

Quality of life

Today, there is more demand for electricity than ever before. At home, in schools and business, the need for electricity is increasing.

October 2021

easy to see electricity remains a good value!

Average Annual Price Increase 2015-2020 Percent

4.0 3.5

3.4% 2.8%

3.0

2.2%

2.5 2.0 1.5

1.0%

1.0 0.5 0

Rent

Medical Care

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index

Education

Electricity

A

s a member of Inland Power, you own the utility. That ownership comes with benefits including local control and accountability, meaning your choice of co-op leaders. Here at Inland Power, our elected board members are called “trustees.”

The word “trustee” gets to the heart of the matter. Co-op members entrust board members to keep their co-op strong. The job is more than attending board meetings. Trustees must learn about complicated issues in the energy business and foresee challenges in

providing affordable and reliable power.

They forge a long-term plan for the sustainability of the cooperative. They hire the CEO. They reach out and listen to the members, speak up for the cooperative and stand up for members at every turn.

Trustees are stewards of that purpose and should make every decision big or small with the members in mind.

If this sounds like a position for you, Inland Power’s nominating committee is accepting applications for board positions in Districts 4 and 6. Please send your request for the candidate packet outlining

candidate qualifications, responsibilities and the application process to Jennifer Lutz at jenniferl@inlandpower.com or by phone at (509) 789-4273. Prospective candidates will be required to submit a candidate certificate of eligibility, complete an application and provide a photo by Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021.

The member-comprised nominating committee will meet in early-December to review all applications received and make nominations based on those with the most appropriate qualifications.

Additionally, co-op members may be Continued inside

OUR

mission

Continued from front page

IS OUR

members.

nominated by petition along with the prerequisite applicant documents.

Candidates will prepare a twominute speech that will be delivered and videoed at the Inland Power headquarters. Dates for the video process will be determined once candidates have been finalized. Videos will be posted at inlandpower.com and SmartHub for the election.

Election results will be announced in March 2022. Each active membership is entitled to one vote for each district up

– M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

for election. Look for election and voting details to be mailed to you by early February.

District 4 includes all the area served

by Inland Power south of an east-west line along Trent Ave/Highway 290 until it reaches Division/Highway 395. It then follows a line along Division/Highway 395 as it travels south to I-90 and then west on I-90 until it hits the intersection of Highway 195, it then includes all territory east of Highway 195 and north of the Spokane-Whitman County line.

Generator Safety Where does my

District 6 includes all the area served

by Inland Power south of the SpokaneWhitman county line when extended east and west to the ends of Inland Power’s service area and north of a line along Highway 26 from Washtucna to its junction with Highway 195 and then along Highway 195 to its junction with Highway 270 then along Highway 270 to its end.

Inland Power Board Districts

HOME

lose the most

13% Ceilings

30%

HEAT?

3% Doors

16%

17%

Windows

Walls

Leaks

21% Basement

Figures are estimates. Actual heat loss varies by house.

A

s we move toward cooler months, now is a great time to consider your home’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to heating.

Problem #1: Cracks in walls, windows and doors

All houses lose heat. But some houses lose heat more heavily than others. When your house constantly loses heat, it can increase your utility bills. Even worse, it can put strain on your heating system, causing it to break down. Below are some tips on how to help you identify, diagnose and prevent house heat loss yourself.

Problem #3: Basement and subfloor walls

Problem #2: Cracks and holes in the ceiling/attic How to fix heat loss issues There are several ways you can start reducing heat loss in your home right now.

1. Add weather stripping around doors and windows.

How can I tell if I have heat loss issues?

2. Put plastic shrink insulation on windows to reduce drafts.

There are three easy ways to determine whether your house suffers from excessive heat loss.

3. Caulk all cracks around windows, outlets, fixtures and door trim.

1. Do you feel drafts around your doors and windows?

5. Beef up attic insulation.

2. Are there gaps around outlets and fixtures?

3. Is there a lack of frost on your roof when your neighbors’ roofs have frost?

If you notice any of these issues, you’re likely losing excessive amounts of heat.

This can force you to run your heater for longer and at higher temperatures. When this happens, your heater is much more likely to break down sooner than you’d expect. Below are common problem areas where homes lose heat.

4. Hang heavy drapes or curtains.

6. Seal all ductwork.

With the right materials, you can begin taking some of these steps to reduce how much heat your house loses.

Heat loss can do more than make you uncomfortable. It can also overwork your heater. Before your heater breaks down from overworking, make sure your home is ready to keep out those cold winds. For more information, contact our conservation team at conservation@inlandpower.com.

VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS

D

ealing with a power outage is never easy, and generators can help us get by until power is restored. Whether it’s running heaters, keeping food fresh in the fridge or keeping the well pump going, a generator is an indispensable tool for many of us. Used improperly, however, generators can be extremely dangerous to both users and those working to restore power. Taking a few simple steps will help make sure you can run essential equipment while keeping yourself, as well as those working hard to get the lights back on, safe.

First, make sure you set your generator up outdoors where there’s plenty of ventilation. Never run a generator indoors or in the garage, where the buildup of colorless, odorless carbon monoxide can be fatal. Second, make sure the generator is connected safely. Permanent generators must be installed with a transfer switch.

Portable generators can either be used with a transfer switch, or by plugging appliances directly into the generator.

Never plug a portable generator into a wall outlet. This energizes the utility’s lines and equipment – a situation known as back feed – and can seriously harm utility workers or others.

If you’re plugging appliances into your generator, use heavy duty extension cords rated for the load. Also, check the starting and running watts of your appliances to make sure they won’t overload the generator.

Finally, never refuel a hot generator.

Always allow it to cool before refueling to reduce the risk of fire.

Generators are a great way to minimize the disruption a power outage can cause in our lives. When extreme weather strikes, knowing how to use one properly will keep your family and utility workers safe while keeping those essentials going!