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Have you heard of our Member Referral Program?
January CEO Message from Varzavand “Avan” Irani
I’m elated to share my first 2022 message with you. This year is sure to be our most powerful and successful yet. In fact, the key to a successful year is our ability to grow and win as many members as possible. To do this, we need your help. That’s why we created the Member Referral Program - so we can all succeed together.
How it works
It’s unbelievably easy, refer a friend, and you both get $50! The best part, there’s NO REFERRAL LIMIT! That’s right, how does no electric bill sound? Start referring and you might not see one!
Did we mention that there’s also a bonus? At the end of each year, the member with the most referrals will get a $500 electric bill credit! That’s a nice chunk of change!
How do I refer a friend?
You might be wondering, “how do I refer a friend”? Don’t worry, we have some powerful tips to help get you started. The easiest thing you can do, is tell a friend how great we are! Here’s some simple highlights you can mention.
Top 3 Reasons We’re the Best of the Best
1. We’re Local
Your family and home deserve the best, and we can deliver. We’re not some far away corporate company looking to make a profit. Whether you want to call and set up service, or maybe you’re just curious about your electric bill - we’re here for you.
2. No Contracts
3. You Get Perks with Your Power
2022 Youth Tour
Deadline Approaching! Friday, January 14
Apply Today!
NECcoopEnergy.com
Win the trip of a Love. Local. Power. LIFETIME!
2022 Scholarships
Deadline Approaching! Friday, February 11
Apply Today!
NECcoopEnergy.com
We’re offering $30,000
in scholarships!
Is Your Electric Bill Higher Now Than
Last Year?
It’s not a bad idea to compare your energy use from year to year. It’s a good way to spot differences that might be related to your family’s lifestyle and habits—and to get those under control before your bill skyrockets. A few culprits could rack up the charges without your knowledge. Start with these: Your appliances are getting older. That could mean they’re operating less efficiently with each passing year. Replacing a major appliance like a refrigerator or water heater at least every 10 years means you use a more modern model with better energy-saving features. More electronics in your home mean more wasted energy. The more appliances and electronics you collect, the more of them you plug in. If you’re turning them off but not unplugging them, they’re all using small amounts of electricity when they’re not in use. That can add up. Unplug TVs, countertop kitchen appliances and even phone chargers when you’re not using them to cut off the flow of wasted electricity. Older insulation is less efficient. Even if your attic was properly insulated when you bought your home, that insulation can diminish as it ages. As you lose insulation, your heating and air conditioning systems have to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Nearly 90% of homes are underinsulated, according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. Have your insulation inspected in the attic and around doors and windows. You’re not tracking your energy. Most homes use more energy during the hot summer months and around the holidays. Adding appliances can increase your family’s energy use. Monitoring your energy bills from month to month can flag increases so you can decide how to cut your use elsewhere. Changes in the weather. If summer is especially hot one year or winter is unusually frigid, your family will rely on its heating and air conditioning system more than usual. Don’t be surprised if your energy bills increase as a result. A tip: Prepare your home to withstand weather changes by caulking around windows and doors, sealing penetrations on the inside of exterior walls where cables and wires enter the home, and replacing old, single-pane windows with efficient double-pane models
Conserve Energy as the Weather Cools
It’s tempting to turn the heat on as soon as the weather starts to cool in the fall and early winter. But holding off for a few weeks until you really need to rely on heat can keep your energy bills low.
If you must turn the heat on: • Set it no higher than 68 degrees. This will make your indoor air comfortable without wasting energy. • Put on another layer. Try putting on a sweater and slippers if you’re feeling cold. Adding another layer of clothing to your body might keep you cozy enough to delay turning up the thermostat. • Move furniture and drapes away from warm air registers and baseboard heaters so they don’t block the heat from circulating. The freer the airflow, the lower you can set your thermostat. • Close the flue damper of your wood-burning fireplace. In fact, consider fitting an electric fireplace into it so you can enjoy a light show without sending heated air up the chimney. • Have a heating, ventilating and air conditioning professional inspect your heating system before it gets too cold outside. Regular maintenance can prevent an expensive, inconvenient problem later in the winter—when it would be uncomfortable to go even a day without a working heating system. • Seal indoor openings on external walls, such as around the areas where the cable and phone lines come into the house and around penetrations for water pipes and sewer lines. Caulking those openings can keep your heated air in and the cool air out. Vampire loads come from electronic devices that use electricity when they appear to be off. Primary culprits are chargers, cable TV boxes and gaming systems.
Power Tip
Let the sunshine in! For extra warmth, open drapes over windows that receive sunlight, but close them at night to reduce heat loss by up to 10%.
LITTLECITYLIFESTYLEPHOTOGRAPHY | ISTOCK.COM
Pack Up Your
Tree and Lights
Some people like to celebrate Christmas year-round, but there are some practical reasons to take down your holiday decorations. A dried-out Christmas tree is a fire risk. Real trees lose moisture and get crispy even when you trim the stump and keep it soaking in water. Those browning needles and sap make excellent kindling should a spark from the fireplace or heat from a lightbulb make contact. Take your real pine tree down soon after the holidays or as soon as it begins to show signs of drying out. Lingering Christmas lights can cause a tangle. If they begin to sag off the house or trees, they’re not only unsightly but might cause a person or pet to trip or get tangled. Left-out lights drain electricity. Leaving Christmas lights up longer than the holiday season requires electricity that will add to your power bill. Even if you can’t wait for the next round of holidays, don’t wait too long to clean up after this season is over.
Back to College Safety Tips
Safe Electricity offers tips for students to help prevent electrical fires in student housing: • Only purchase and use electrical products tested for safety by labs recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some common approved safety marks include UL, CSA and ETL. • Avoid overloading extension cords, power strips and outlets. • Use power strips with an overcurrent protector that will shut off power automatically if too much current is drawn. • Never tack, nail or staple an electrical cord to any surface, and don’t run cords across traffic paths or under rugs where they could be trampled or damaged. • Use the correct wattage lightbulbs for lamps and fixtures. If no indication appears on the product, do not
use a bulb with the equivalent of more than 60 watts. • Use cooler, safer, more efficient LEDs whenever possible. • Keep all electrical appliances and cords safely away from bedding, curtains, papers and other flammable materials. • Make sure outlets around sinks are equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters before use. (Look for the “Test” button on the outlet to be sure.) If they aren’t, contact a resident assistant, camping housing staff or your landlord. • Unplug small appliances and all electronics when not in use and when away for extended periods. • Always use microwave-safe containers. Only glass or cera-mic containers and plastics labeled “microwave safe” should be used. Metal and aluminum foil can damage a microwave and start a fire. If a microwave is damaged in any way, do not use it.
Make Eating Healthier Meals Tasty
Safe Electricity offers tips for students to help prevent electrical fires in student housing: • Only purchase and use electrical products tested for safety by labs recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some common approved safety marks include UL, CSA and ETL. • Avoid overloading extension cords, power strips and outlets. • Use power strips with an overcurrent protector that will shut off power automatically if too much current is drawn. • Never tack, nail or staple an electrical cord to any surface, and don’t run cords across traffic paths or under rugs where they could be trampled or damaged. • Use the correct wattage lightbulbs for lamps and fixtures. If no indication appears on the product, do not
use a bulb with the equivalent of more than 60 watts. • Use cooler, safer, more efficient LEDs whenever possible. • Keep all electrical appliances and cords safely away from bedding, curtains, papers and other flammable materials. • Make sure outlets around sinks are equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters before use. (Look for the “Test” button on the outlet to be sure.) If they aren’t, contact a resident assistant, camping housing staff or your landlord. • Unplug small appliances and all electronics when not in use and when away for extended periods. • Always use microwave-safe containers. Only glass or cera-mic containers and plastics labeled “microwave safe” should be used. Metal and aluminum foil can damage a microwave and start a fire. If a microwave is damaged in any way, do not use it.
Be Smart
With Your Generator
Portable generators are a godsend during a prolonged electrical outage— just be sure to use extreme caution while operating them.
• Never try to power your home by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This dangerous practice, known as backfeeding, reverses the electricity flow and sends it out of your house, endangering electric workers and your neighbors. If you must connect the generator to the house wiring, have a qualified electrician do it. • Plug appliances directly into the generator or use an extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of damage and that the plug has all its prongs. • Keep the generator dry and do not use it indoors, in a garage, near open doors or windows, or in rainy or wet conditions.
Just as an ambulance’s flashing lights alert you to an emergency, so should a flickering lightbulb get your attention.
It may be that the bulb is simply about to burn out. But sometimes a flickering bulb is a sign that the light fixture is damaged or the electrical connection is faulty. Don’t ignore these signs! • Turn off the power immediately and check the connection to the fixture and its internal wiring. • The same is true for a lamp that burns too hot. You may have installed the wrong wattage lightbulb. • Check the rating on your lamps and light fixtures to make sure you’re using the right size and kind of bulb.
IMAGE COURTESTY OF UNSPLASH.COMMONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES | ISTOCK.COM
How To Stay Warm Without Cranking Up
the Heat
Stop shivering indoors just because it’s cold outside. You don’t have to crank up the heat to stay warm on winter’s frostiest days. Identify places in your walls where heated air can escape your home and cold air can get in. Then caulk liberally. Invest in a smart thermostat that allows you to program it to lower the heat when you go to bed, raise it just before everyone wakes up, turn itself down again when the family leaves for the day and warm up the house before you return at dinnertime. This could save you 10% or more on your heating bill. Maintain your heating system. Hire a tech to inspect yours for inefficiencies or hidden problems. Clean or replace your furnace filters regularly. Scatter area rugs in rooms without carpet. They can prevent heat from escaping through the floor, and they feel warmer to walk on.
Open drapes on sunny days to let natural daylight and the sun’s warmth into your rooms. Close them when the sun sets and it gets cooler outdoors.
Make Up for High Pandemic Bills With Wise Energy Use
You Zoomed, you teleworked, you ate dinner at home every night, and you stayed in on weekends. And you have your energy bill as proof.
Americans spent 10% more on energy at home from April to July 2020 than they did during those same months during pre-pandemic years, according to a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research. That trend remained fairly steady through the lockdown months.
That’s about to change. With businesses open again and many workers back in their offices, energy use could gradually shift back to normal.
That means homeowners have a chance to make up for some of the energy-heavy months they spent at home.
While you’re spending more time away from home, set your thermostat a few degrees higher to save a little energy while the house is empty. Draw the blinds on especially hot days to stop the sun’s heat from warming up your rooms. Run appliances that produce heat after dark.
Those small energy-saving steps could help your “back-to-normal” energy bill drop even more once your family returns to its regular routine.
Our offices will be closed New Year’s Day
Saturday, January 1
Our offices will be closed
Friday, December 31
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 17
Holocaust Remembrance Day
Thursday, January 27
EXTREME MEDIA | ISTOCK.COM
Energy Efficiency
All Year Long
January: Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. February: Instead of turning up the heat, put on an extra layer of clothing or get under a cozy blanket. March: Turn off lights when you leave a room.
April: Plant a tree to shade your home in warm months. June: Take short showers instead of baths.
July: Dry heavy linens outside on a clothesline instead of using the dryer. August: Set a reminder to change the air conditioner filter every 60–90 days. September: Turn off running water when you brush your teeth. October: Unplug energy vampires, including gaming consoles and computers. November: Wash clothes with cold water.
Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
investinG in enerGy eFFiciency may sound like it requires a lot of effort, time and money, but it doesn’t have to. While there are certainly high-impact and high-cost measures, you can also take smaller steps to make your home more energy efficient, help you save money and live a more comfortable life.
Here are some simple measures you can take to conduct your own home energy audit.
Shut off your electronics, appliances and lights when they are not being used. Some electronics, such as TVs and smartphone chargers, can draw power even when turned off— what’s known as phantom loads. To prevent these devices from wasting electricity, consider completely unplugging them or shutting off the power strips they’re connected to.
Swap out incandescent bulbs with LEDs to use 75% less lighting energy. The features to pay most attention to with LEDs are lumens (how bright the bulb is) and color temperature (how warm or cool the light is). For example, a 10-watt LED can emit the same light as a 60-watt incandescent.
Replace air filters. A clean filter allows your heating system to run more efficiently and keeps the air in your home cleaner. Most air filters should be changed every one to three months, but during heavy use, changing monthly is a good idea.
Set your thermostat to auto and keep an eye on the temperature to ensure the heater is running only when it’s supposed to. Try to set your thermostat to the coolest comfortable temperature in the winter and the warmest comfortabletemperature in the summer. In the winter shoot for 68 degrees and in the summer 78.
Have your ductwork checked for leaks because leaks at the return, air handler and supply can be a major source of high bills. In mobile homes, check at the grille, crossover duct and down flow air handler.
Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes, and use cold water when possible. When dishwashing, try air drying instead of heat drying.
Invest in low-flow showerheads and faucets that use less water and can save money and energy by reducing demand on your water heater. Look for one with the WaterSense label, which indicates that the product meets criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy use without compromising performance.
Look for appliances with the Energy Star label. This designation means the appliance has undergone testing to ensure it performs as expected and reduces energy consumption. D
6 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home
tHis year make New Year’s resolutions that are easy to keep while benefiting your home and your family. Here are a few to consider.
Clean every appliance in your house. Your refrigerator’s coils can get dusty and clogged, which makes it work harder and waste energy. The inside of your microwave oven should be spotless; if it’s not, the machine is using energy to “cook” leftover food particles that nobody’s going to eat. Even your dishwasher and washing machine need cleaning—inside and out—to prevent mold and clogs. Resolve to clean your appliances once a month for better performance.
Snake your clothes dryer’s vent. Do this at least twice a year to rid it of lint and debris, which can catch on fire if it clogs the vent and prevents airflow. A clean vent will help your dryer run more effectively.
Clear the area around your water heater and your outdoor air conditioning unit. Appliances give off heat and take in air. If you’ve got boxes,suitcases, Christmas decorations or plants stacked up against them, they can’t do their jobs efficiently. The best environment for these bigtime appliances is clear of all obstructions.
Have your heating and air conditioning systems checked out by a professional, who can tell you if they need repairs. Change or clean the air filters regularly.
Change the batteries in all of your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If you don’t have those devices, move acquiring them to the top of your list of resolutions and install them today.
Invest in a programmable thermostat so you can set the temperature for optimal efficiency depending on whether you’re at home or away. D
energy efficiency All Year long
May: Decorate your backyard or porch with solar-powered lights and keep outdoor electric lights off. june:Take short showers instead of baths.
july: Dry heavy linens outside on a clothesline instead of using the dryer. august: Set a reminder to change the air conditioner filter every 60–90 days. september: Turn off running water when you brush your teeth. october: unplug energy vampires, including gaming consoles and computers. november:wash clothes with cold water.
december:Decorate for the holidays with leD lights. D
Be Cool With Space Heaters
Space heaters are meant to provide supplemental heat, not replace your home’s heating system. If used incorrectly, space heaters can pose fire and burn risks. When using your portable heater, heed these rules:
Read and follow the manufacturer’s warnings and the operation and care guidelines before using a space heater. Space heaters need space. Keep them at least 3 feet away from any combustible materials such as bedding, drapes and furniture. Never use space heaters around unsupervised children or pets. Always turn the heater off and unplug it when leaving the room or going to sleep. Plug space heaters directly into an outlet. Do not use an extension cord.
