Understanding our NEW RATES

from Ohio Cooperative Living – September 2023 - Midwest

RATE INCREASE TAKES EFFECT THIS MONTH

Starting on the bill you receive at the end of September, the average residential member will see an increase due to increased costs to operate the cooperative. Commercial accounts are being contacted individually. You can learn more on our website: www.midwestrec.com/2023-rate-increase.

Have questions or want to learn ways you can combat cost increases? Call our office at 800-962-3830 or see page 17.

Standard Residential Rate

What’s the di erence?

• $10 increase in Service Availability monthly charge

• $0.005 per kWh increase in energy charge (½ of a cent per kWh)

Not an actual bill. Below bill examples based on 1,500 kWh home use.

Residential Reduced Rate (O -Peak)

What’s the di erence?

The current Reduced Rate is a one-cent discount for 2,000 kWh for eight months, with potential maximum savings of $160 per year compared to the standard rate.

The new Reduced Rate is a one-cent discount for 1,000 kWh for 12 months, with potential maximum savings of $120 per year compared to the standard rate.

Even after our upcoming increase, electricity still costs less than propane to heat your water. An electric heat pump or geothermal system also costs less than propane to heat your house.

WE NEED YOU TO JOIN THE CCF BOARD! Help allocate charitable funding with just four meetings per year

Midwest Electric’s Community Connection Fund (CCF) provides funding for charitable local purposes through current members rounding up their monthly electric bills and donating the spare change. The CCF is looking for three trustees: one from Allen/ Putnam, one from Van Wert, and one from Auglaize/Shelby counties to serve on the CCF Board. Terms expire this fall for current trustees.

“Serving on the board has been an outstanding opportunity. It’s a unique opportunity to interact with the community and help many worthwhile organizations, specifically volunteer and township fire departments, first responders, and more,” says CCF Trustee Scott Snethkamp.

“I never realized the need of the local nonproﬁts or the fact that Midwest Electric — through having members round up their bills — gives thousands of dollars a year to these agencies,” says CCF Trustee Jeremy Monroe.

Current trustees say the experience gives them tremendous satisfaction and teaches them about the local needs in their community.

“It’s interesting to see what local groups need funding for and to sit around the table with the other board members and decide how we can best allocate our available funding,” says CCF Trustee Robert Gaberdiel. “Then, in a few weeks when they come to collect their checks, it’s nice to hear them explain what they will do with the money.”

The CCF board meets four times per year to review grant applications (which are sent to trustees in advance) and decide where funds can make the most impact. No special background is necessary for this appointed position.

“I had never been a part of a committee like this, but the experience was great,” says former trustee Michelle Clune.

If interested, please contact Joel Johns for an application at jjohns@midwestrec.com or call 800-962-3830

“I would encourage everyone to consider serving on the board,” Monroe says. “It’s only about 10 or 15 hours of your time, and it’s really enjoyable. If you have an interest in giving back or learning more about your community and helping those locally, it will give you a great feeling.”

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Check out our YouTube channel to hear our CCF trustees discuss their experiences serving and why YOU should consider joining. No experience is necessary!

Scan these QR codes with your phone camera to watch the videos and hear real stories: Michelle Clune & Jeremy Monroe Scott Snethkamp & Robert Gaberdiel

Both new and existing PAC members (formerly ACRE) will be included in the drawing. Enter by enrolling in PAC between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 2023. Call our o ce at 800-962-3830 or email info@ midwestrec.com to join 600+ Midwest Electric members and

36,000+ nationwide. You can also sign up at the PAC breakfast Friday, Oct. 27 (see above).

Your monthly bill addition of just $2 08 will support legislators and legislation Learn about PAC at midwestrec.com/political-action.

Nothing is more important than keeping your generator running cleanly and smoothly. Here’s a helpful generator maintenance checklist to keep your unit in top running condition to safely power your home when needed.

Monthly Maintenance Checklist

• Inspect engine coolant level and engine oil level.

• Check the battery charger.

Biannual Maintenance Checklist

• Schedule maintenance with a certiﬁed technician.

• Inspect the enclosure, making sure it’s free from debris.

• Examine the battery electrolyte level and speciﬁc gravity.

• Check the battery cables and their connections.

• Inspect all the drive belts.

• Scan the coolant heater.

• Check coolant lines and connections.

• Examine for oil leaks and inspect lubrication system hoses and connectors.

• Scan the exhaust system, mu er, and exhaust pipe.

• Clean all air cleaner units.

• Examine air induction piping and connections.

• Inspect the DC electrical system, control panel, and all related accessories.

• Last, inspect the AC wiring and all related accessories.

Annual Maintenance Checklist

• Change the oil and ﬁlter.

• Also, change the fuel ﬁlter.

• Replace the air ﬁlter.

• Clean the crankcase breather.

• Change out the spark plugs.

• Then, check coolant concentration.

• Flush line cooling system (as needed).

Regularly check the transfer switch to make sure it’s functioning to transfer your home’s power source from the grid to the generator during an outage. Finally, to simulate operation during a power outage, perform a functional test.

Some of these inspections and tests are more complicated, and more is at stake during the annual test: If you miss something and wait a year, there’s a greater chance for something to go wrong. You may want to have a professional perform your annual inspection.

Equipped with this maintenance checklist, you can give your generator the regular attention that it requires. In return, it can a ord you years of safety, security, and peace of mind.