COOPERATIVENews & ViewsPO Box 309

Danville, IN 46122

COOPERATIVENews & Views

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2016 Annual Meeting - Thank you for joining us! Hendricks Power hosted another successful annual meeting on Saturday, April 9. Members were provided breakfast, offered free health screenings and had the opportunity to learn more about our products and services. It was a great time to celebrate the co-op’s 80th anniversary and our Seven Cooperative Principles.

During the meeting, we noted accomplishments from 2015. We were pleased to announce that our outage duration and frequency remain well below the national average. Preventive maintenance remains a top priority as we continue to improve reliability.

It was also announced that Hendricks Power has retired more than $4.3 million in patronage since 2010. This reflects the patronage allocations for 1955-1976. In 2016 we will begin retiring the years of 1977-1984, totaling just over $3.5 million over the next several months.

Members in attendance received a backpack cooler and $5 energy credit as tokens of our appreciation for continued support. They were also entered into a drawing for additional energy credits. The winners were:

Richard Batchelor - $2,000 energy credit

Michael Rodney - $1,000 energy credit

Wesley Maharas - $500 energy credit

Daniel Meredith Estate - $500 energy credit

Ed Lewis - $200 energy credit

Phyllis Palmer - $200 energy credit

Ken Edmondson - $50 energy credit

Al Huntsman - $50 energy credit

Gordon Cope - $50 energy credit

Sharon Fehnel - $50 energy credit

Sandra Wright - $50 energy credit

We continue seeking ways to better serve you. This meeting is an oppor-tune time for us to hear your concerns, answer questions and keep you engaged in the cooperative. If you were unable to attend and would like information, please contact us at (317) 745-5473.

May 2016Volume 9, Issue 5

Farmers’ MarketsCheck out your local Farmers’ Markets! Go to www.visithendrickscounty.com for dates and locations.

Memorial Day - OFFICE CLOSEDMay 30

B&O Bicycle TourJune 4This event offers 10, 25, 45 or 62 mile loops winding through Hendricks County. After the ride, enjoy lunch and live music. Pre-registration deadline for the event is May 26. For location, start time and registration information, please visit www.BOtrail.org.

Amo Fish FryJune 9-11Enjoy festival rides, games, bingo, a parade, live entertainment and a firework display. Begins at 5:30 pm on Thurs. and Fri. and noon on Sat. Hosted by Amo Fire Department and Cascade Youth League.

Friends of the Plainfield Library 8th Annual Garden TourJune 18-19

The event is from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 - 4:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $12. Proceeds help support the library, including programs for children, teens and adults. Visit www.plainfieldgardentour.com for ticket locations and more information.

Father’s DayJune 19

Independence DayJuly 4 - OFFICE CLOSED

When it comes to saving energy, caveat emptor is alive and well. We are bombarded by claims that border on outright falsehoods, so it pays to view savings claims from third parties cautiously. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.

Electric space heaters drain energy savings from your home if used incorrectly. Companies make elaborate claims about the amount of money you can save and charge exorbitant sums for their products. The adver-tisements frequently target those on a fixed income, presenting false hope while extracting precious dollars from their customers. I have seen a number of these space heaters and admit they appear to be well made, but they typically offer no better economy than any other 1,500-watt electric heater. Bottom line, electric space heaters should only be used to heat small spaces – not your entire home.

Black boxes that claim to improve power quality, smooth out power fluctuations and store energy so you can reduce your bills come and go. These often require an electrician to install. Save your money. The concepts are already in use by Hendricks Power and require utility-size equipment to deliver them. Something that can fit in a shoebox is not going to deliver any value, at least not in the areas promised. If you are concerned about protecting your appliances and electronics, talk to us about surge protection.

When you see the ad that reads, “The power compa-

nies don’t want you to know,” skip it. These are gener-ally claims around building your own renewable energy source from parts easily obtained at the local hardware store or a motor that produces limitless “free” electric-ity. I would equate these with the emails I get from foreign countries telling me I can receive millions of dollars by simply sending all my banking information. At least in the case of the homemade renewables and limitless motor you get some cool plans and parts lists. You decide if it’s worth $50 – $200. I’d give it a pass.

There is a product that claims it will replace basement dehumidifiers and save tons of money. It is basically a fan system that vents all the basement air outside. Yes, dehumidifiers can be expensive to run and are a nuisance when you have to empty the water. Knowing that, we asked the Cooperative Research Network (an arm of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Elec-tric Cooperative Association) a few years ago if these products delivered on their savings claims. They said no. The problem is that when you blow the basement air outside, it is replaced with conditioned air from other parts of the house. Now your HVAC system works harder and dramatically reduces the promised savings. Here’s my solution: I set my dehumidifier to 60 percent and run a hose to my floor drain. This resolves the water emptying hassle and really reduces the power use while keeping my basement acceptably dry.

I will close with a non-technology warning. Scammers love to call or stop by claiming they represent the local power company. Never give anyone personal or finan-cial information who claims to be a Hendricks Power employee without confirming their identity. Ask for a call back number, then check with co-op. Ask the door-to-door person for a valid Hendricks Power ID. If they really are a co-op employee, they’ll be able to prove it.

Most of us want to save energy and keep our bills manageable. Technology can help do this, but be care-ful. Call us at 317-745-5473 before making any invest-ments in technology that seem too good to be true. You’ll be glad you did.

Energy Advisor CornerGregg WrightEnergy Advisor(317) 745-5473 ext 616gwright@hendrickspower.com

Products to avoid

Summer energy efficiency - myth vs fact

We want to remind you that we offer an earth-friendly energy alternatives program, EnviroWatts, to our members.

When you sign up for this program, you are joining other participating electric co-op members around the state to help encourage power generation from renewable resources such as wind and biomass.

Hendricks Power and our power supplier, Wabash Valley Power (WVPA), participate in this program because we think it’s the right thing to do for the environment and our members. While they already have a diverse portfolio, these efforts will also help ensure WVPA can meet future mandates or regulations regarding the amount of power that must come from renewable sources.

Occasionally outside companies contact our members regarding other options and programs for investing in these earth-friendly energy alternatives. Unfortunately, not all of these companies are legit. Feel free to let us know if you are contacted, or call us anytime if you have questions about our efforts towards renewable energy.

EnviroWatts provides a way for you to show your support for environmental improvement projects in our community, support the environment and demonstrate your interest in renewable energy.

Myth: When I’m not home, keeping my air conditioner at a lower temperature throughout the day means it doesn’t have to run harder to cool my home when I return.

Fact: To save energy, set your thermostat to a higher temperature during the day, and lower it when you return home.

Myth: Closing vents on my central air conditioning system will boost efficiency.

Fact: Closing vents can cause the compressor to cycle too frequently and the heat pump to overload. You’ll also use more energy.

Myth: Time of day doesn’t matter when it comes to running my appliances.

Fact: Time of day does matter when running electrical loads. For example, take advantage of the delay setting and run your dishwasher at night to avoid peak times of use and save energy.

Myth: Bigger is always better when it comes to cooling equipment.

Fact: Too often, cooling equipment isn’t sized properly and leads to higher electric bills. A unit that’s too large for your home will not cool evenly and might produce higher humidity indoors.

Office: 86 N County Rd 500 E, Avon IN 46123 | Mail: PO Box 309, Danville, IN 46122

Phone: (317) 745-5473 • (800) 876-5473 | Email: hpc@hendrickspower.com

Web: www.hendrickspower.com

You have the power to help the environment

Reminder: Effective February 1, 2016 our power cost adjustment leveled out to $0.00. This power cost adjustment is reflected on your monthly bill and is a mechanism to level and equalize swings in electricity and fuel prices in today’s volatile energy environment. It is increased or decreased based on variable costs such as environmental compliance, fuel and market power purchases.

Hendricks Power Cooperative Board of DirectorsHendricks Power’s Board of Directors recently transitioned officers. Your officers for 2016 are:

President: Don Stinson (Area 1)

Vice President: Matt Hession (Area 3)

Treasurer: Andy Lynch (Area 2)

Secretary: Larry Salsman (Area 10)

Other members of the Board of Directors are:

Hal Truax (Area 4) Susan Webb (Area 7)

Marshall Hurst (Area 5) Stan Ryland (Area 8)

Keith Cooper (Area 6) Jeff Fleece (Area 9)

Visit hendrickspower.com/About-Us for a map of our districts.

The Board of Directors is the representative body of the members of the cooperative. It represents the cooperative owners and acts on their behalf.

The board is responsible for setting operating policies for the co-op and making decisions regarding the financial health and well-being of the organization.