A newsletter for members ofProviding energy for life.Tri-County Electric Cooperative

March 2015

During the 2013 Annual Meeting members were asked to vote on specifi c bylaw changes for the cooperative. One change was that the cooperative will no longer use a nominating committee for the selection of candidates. Nominations will now be done by petition. The petition requirements are listed below.

• The petition will need to be requested in person at the cooperative headquarters. • The candidate will be given a board candidate packet at the time of the request. • The original petition shall be returned to the cooperative headquarters by the due date required by the bylaws. No faxed petitions will be accepted.

The 2015 annual meeting will be held on July 16, 2015 at Schuyler County High School in Queen City, MO. Prospective director packets will be available starting at 8:00 a.m. on April 16, 2015 at the cooperative. The petitions, completed per the by-law requirements, will need to be returned to the cooperative by 4:30 p.m. on May 18, 2015. The following is an excerpt of the by-laws regarding director qualifi cation and the nominations:

SECTION 3. QUALIFICATIONS. No person shall be eligible to become or remain a director or to hold any position of trust in the Cooperative who:a) is not a member and bona fi de resident in the area served or to be served by the Cooperative;b) is in any way employed by or fi nancially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric energy or supplies to the Cooperative, or a

business primarily engaged in selling electrical or plumbing appliance, fi xtures or supplies to the members of the Cooperative;c) is the incumbent or candidate for an elective public offi ce in connection with which a salary or compen¬sation in excess of one hundred dollars per

annum is paid.Upon establishment of the fact that a director is holding offi ce in violation of any of the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors shall remove such

director from offi ce.Nothing contained in this section shall affect in any man¬ner whatsoever the validity of any action taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors.SECTION 4. NOMINATIONS. Any fi fteen (15) or more members acting together may make director nomina¬tions by petition not more than ninety (90)

days and not less than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting and the Secretary shall post such nomina¬tions at the principal offi ce of the Cooperative. The Secretary shall be responsible for the mailing with the notice of the meeting or separately, but at least ten days (10) days before the date of the meeting, a statement of the number of directors to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates. No member shall sign more than one (1) nominating petition for a candidate seeking election from the same district. The names of the nominees shall be listed on the offi cial ballot in the order of the receipt of the nominating petition.

Board of Director Nomination Procedure

Tri-County Electric will hire contractors to clear and spray the right of ways. The work will include all of Scotland County and a portion of Adair County. All contractors will be licensed and insured. The tree trimming crew will be in Adair County, east of US Highway 63. They will cut and clear a 15’ swath on each side of the power line. The spray crew will be working all of Scotland County. The crews have been trained on safe application of herbicides. They will only be treating brush and tress within the 30’ right of way. They will not harm any fruit, shade or ornamental trees, shrubs, or bushes within your maintained yard. The right of way program will cut or trim trees throughout the system on a 7 year rotation schedule. Once the area has been cut, it will be sprayed 2 to 3 years later. If you have questions please contact the operations department at 660-457-3733.

Right-of-way work to begin

Build with energy effi cient materialsPlan to use energy-effi cient materials — there are lots out there — when

building a new house. Start with your roof, walls, fl oor and windows.For cool roofs in summer, think light and bright. Light-colored shingles

and metal roofs can improve effi ciency by refl ecting radiant heat. Darker colors absorb heat. For southern Iowa and northern Missouri, it may be more important to absorb heat with a dark roof for sunny but cold winter days.

For snug walls, consider adding dense-packed cellulose or fi berglass or even injecting water-based foam insulation into existing walls. For additions, new wall options include aerated concrete, insulating concrete forms or structural insulated panels. Though expensive, you’ll see an immediate difference in your heating and cooling bills. Remember that R-value is important, but limiting air infi ltration also can greatly affect comfort.

For warm fl oors in winter, insulating fl oors above a crawl space to an R-25 is a good place to start. Radiant fl oor heating also can be added as a retrofi t. Electric resistance mats can be installed below some new fl ooring materials and hydronic tubing can be installed in fl oors above unfi nished area like basements and crawl spaces. Electric resistant heat is 100 percent effi cient and heat from a ground-source heat pump can be up to 400 percent effi cient. Considering cost, insulation is the fi rst place to start.

Finally, for tight windows, look for low AL (air leakage) ratings on new windows; 01 to 0.3 is the typical range. Also important are the “U-value” (1/R) and the shading co-effi cient. Window treatments like insulating drapes (www.heatsavershades.com) and blinds can be an effective way to make up the difference in thermal and shading performance, but air leakage is primarily controlled at the window.

Like us on Facebook:Tri-County Electric

Cooperative MO

Participant Area DealColton's Steakhouse Kirksville location only $5 off any purchase of $25 or moreLovegreen Ford-Chrysler Kirksville $5 off an oil change* Plus, buy 4 oil changes* and get the 5th one free. FREE tire inspection with oil change purchase. *Ap-plies to light trucks and passenger vehicles.Smith, Moore & Co Kirksville Free Portfolio Review / Free Annuity & Life Insurance Review / 50% Commission discount on your 1st stock tradeThe Turkey Roost Kirksville $25 off any full size turkey mountSubway Kirksville Get 1 free 21 oz. drink w/ purchase of footlong sub. One per customer. Both Kirksville LocationsFloormart (Carpet Plus) Kirksville 10% off on any purchasePayless Shoe Store Kirksville 10% off total transactionBlue Sky Ammo Downing $10 off puchase of gunInternational Eyecare Center Kirksville and Memphis $10 off comprehensive eye exam; 20% off eyewear (frame and lenses) Not valid with other discounts or insurance.Walker Motors Memphis Free detail with collision repairKirksville Farm & Home Kirksville 10% off Carhartt or Under Armour cloth-ing (reg. price)Woody's Tire Auto & Towing Kirksville $5.00 off-17 pint trop artic lube up to 5 qt. of trop artic oilCook's Mens Store Memphis 20% off reg. price boots/shoes (Red Wing, Wolverine, Justin companies, Rocky, Hush Puppies, New Balance)Depot Inn & Suites LaPlata 10% off regular room or the meal suiteBellacino's Pizza & Grinders/TCBY Kirksville 10% off any menu item of regular priceNancy's Foot Care Memphis 5 x 1 Hour Refl exology Sessions Get One FreeComfort Inn Kirksville Only 15% off regular room rate

10 features for an energy-effi cient home

Courtnie Packer, writing for http://home-design-software-review.toptenreviews.com/10-features-to-consider-for-an-energy-efficient-home.html offers these ideas for building an energy-effi cient home:

Advanced house framing — This is a framing technique that uses less lumber and has less waste. The U.S. Department of Energy says advanced framing can lower material costs up to $1,000 for a 1,200-2,400 square-foot house and can cut labor costs up to 5 percent and annual heating and cooling costs by up to 5 percent.

Cool roofs — Such roofs have refl ective material within tiles, shingles, paint, metal and other substances used on roofs. It might be an option for new homes in the warmer climate zones of southern counties of Missouri and Oklahoma.

Exterior doors — When buying a door, look at its energy-performance rating, which tells you how well the door keeps conditioned air inside your home.

Skylights — Skylights can improve a home’s heating, lighting and ventilation. DOE recommends they be no larger than 5 percent of the fl oor area in rooms with several windows and 15 percent of the fl oor area in rooms with minimal windows.

Window treatments — There are many types of treatments to choose from, but all can reduce energy loss. Insulated drapes can block cold air from seeping inside or air-conditioned air from leaking out. Shutters, awnings, shades and blinds are other treatments worth considering. Here’s a source for insulated window shades: www.heatsavershades.com/.

Fans — Fans throughout your home will keep it cool and save money on air conditioning.

Bathroom and kitchen fi xtures — Buy appliances and fi xtures for these rooms with Energy Star ratings and save money on energy each year.

Exterior colors — A light exterior will keep your home cooler, while a darker color will better maintain heat— your choice, depending on your climate zone.

Insulation — Insulation is a key to keeping conditioned air inside your home. Cellulose, foam, plastic, fi berglass and other materials are available as insulation, with different R-values and applications.

Flooring — Flooring in a new house can save energy, depending on whether you choose hardwood, tile, vinyl or carpet. For example, in colder climates, carpet and rugs can trap heat and keep your home warmer during winter.

Learn construction tips online and on your phoneIf you’re planning to build a house, come to the design table with more than an energy-effi ciency wish list. You’ll save time and money in the long run, earn some points with your designer/builder and end up with the house you want. Here’s just one site of the many online that can help you understand the construction process so you can talk the talk of your contractor. This site offers a mobile construction app that gives you animated videos, articles, technical details, product information and best-practice ideas: www.constructioninstruction.com

Cool roofsTo improve roof effi ciency in Missouri’s cooling dominant climate, focus on

cooling your roof in summer by reducing “heat-island” effect. Jeff Barber, a LEED AP architect and housing and environmental design specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, recommends light-colored shingles or metal roofs to improve the effi ciency of your roof. Because light colors result in lower temperatures, you can extend the life of shingles.

Radiant barrier paints, fi lms and foils also can refl ect radiant heat, as can proper ventilation in the attic.

Metal roofs are another energy-effi cient roofi ng option. In addition to being virtually maintenance free and fi re resistant, metal roofs can dramatically reduce electricity use. As far back as 1985, the Florida Solar Energy Center found that metal roofs absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles.

A table at www.solar-estimate.org/index.php?verifycookie=1&page=white-roof&subpage compares the refl ectance of various roofi ng materials. For example, a bright white coating has 80 percent solar refl ectance with roof temperatures of 15 degrees above the air temperature. Contrast that to black shingles that have 5 percent solar refl ectance, with roof temperatures of 90 degrees above the air temperature.

A radiant barrier in an unfi nished attic is another option, particularly in warm, sunny climates where they have lowered energy costs 5 to 10 percent, according to studies quoted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Most radiant

barriers have refl ectivity of 95 to 97 percent. Energy-effi ciency expert Doug Rye says a radiant barrier on roof rafters and the west and southwest gable end of the attic can reduce 140-degree attic temperatures by 30 degrees.

If you’re considering a radiant barrier, work with professional roofi ng technicians and make sure the roof and attic are properly ventilated or you may develop moisture problems from condensation or not be able to properly vent hot attic air.

From the Manager’s desk:• Trimming Future Problems

January 2014 Board Report

Spring heralds some annual traditions at my home. At least one weekend, I plan to drive with my family and enjoy the budding spring foliage. I especially love it when the dogwoods and redbuds bloom. Sometimes on these trips we’ll spot some of our contractors working by the

road, trimming tree branches growing too close to power lines.I enjoy the beauty trees add to our region, especially at this time of year. But

I also enjoy the comfort of knowing power will be available when I need it. At your electric cooperative, we’re committed to providing you with reliable power. There are some things we can’t stop — high winds, ice storms, forest fi res — but we do what we can to prevent other outage culprits.

As you can probably guess, weather-related events cause the majority of power outages for your electric cooperative — a whopping 19 percent according to a survey by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. But vegetation — trees, shrubs, brush — growing too close to power lines and distribution equipment leads to 15 percent of power interruptions.

To “cut back” on potential tree-related problems, Tri-County Electric Cooperative operates an aggressive right-of-way maintenance program. Our crews look for foliage growing under lines, overhanging branches, leaning or other types of “danger” trees that could pull down a power line if they fall, and trees that could grow into lines. It’s a job that’s never done — by the time crews fi nish trimming activities along our many miles of distribution lines, vegetation has started to grow back at the starting point.

We need your help to keep a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of power fl owing to your home or business, Let us know if you notice trees or branches that might pose a risk to our power lines.

Even more important, before planting trees in your yard, think about how tall they may grow and how wide their branches may spread. As a rule of thumb, 25 feet of ground-to-sky clearance should be available on each side of our utility poles to give power lines plenty of space. Choose tree varieties with care and plant with power lines in mind.

Thanks for your help as we work together to keep electricity reliable. To report trees you think may pose a problem, call 888-457-3734. To fi nd out more about proper tree planting, visit www.arborday.org.

At the Janaury meeting of the Board of Directors’ of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, the board reviewed the following items:

• The board reviewed and approved the proposed agenda.• The board reviewed and approved the regular board meeting minutes (12/23/14).• The board re-elected Mark VanDolah to represent TCEC on the NE Power Board.• The board reviewed and amended Board Policy E-013 Use of Cooperative

Equipment.• The board discussed proposed by law revisions for 2015.• The board reviewed and approved new memberships.• The board received a safety report and a member services report. The coopera-

tive has had 0 vehicle accidents, 0 recordable accidents, 0 near misses, 0 lost time accidents for the month. The cooperative worked 3,445.5 hours for the month and 46,483.5 for 2014.

• The board received a member services report.• The board received a report of operations.• The board reviewed fi nancial reports.• The board reviewed expenditures in detail.• The next board meeting has been set for February 26, 2015.

Audited 2014 fi nancials will be placed as soon as they are received.

Snug wallsInstruct your builder to add foam gaskets to electrical outlets on your outside

walls to block leaks. Caulk or foam the top plate where wiring or plumbing pipes penetrate into the attic. Use caulk to seal small cracks along baseboards, window trim, holes, wall cracks and gaps between different materials.

To insulate walls, Jeff Barber, a LEED AP architect and housing and environmental design specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, suggests using water-based, low expansion foam insulation that can be injected into wall cavities, expanding to fi ll voids, holes, gaps around outlets and tiny cracks you can’t even see. Foam insulation comes in closed- and open-cell varieties. Closed-cell has R-values of 6 compared to 3.5 for open-cell. Open-cell foam should not be used in exterior applications or where it will have direct contact with water.

Best applied by professionals, these foams can produce immediate results: as much as 40 percent lower heating and cooling bills. Recent advances in dense-packed cellulose and fi berglass also offer solutions to add insulation to existing walls.

For the most energy-effi cient walls, build with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), insulating concrete forms (ICFs) or structural insulated panels (SIPs). AAC, a foam-like material made of lime, cement, gypsum, water, sand and aluminum powder poured into panel molds, was developed in Sweden. It is more effi cient than conventional concrete blocks and porous concrete but does not perform as well as SIPs, ICFs or even well-insulated wood-framed walls, according to www.house-energy.com.

If you’re looking to build a “storm room” for protection during high winds and tornadoes, heavy, ICF-built walls are a good choice, while also adding effi ciency. ICFs are stackable foam concrete forms that are fi lled with reinforced concrete and remain part of the wall assembly. They typically have R-values from R-18 to R-35, according to the thickness of the wall, making them an excellent energy-effi cient material. In contrast, 2 x 4 wood-framed walls are usually R-13 to R-18, and 2 x 6 wood-framed walls are around R-24.

The primary benefi t of ICFs is the large concrete mass that also acts as an energy reservoir and adds to the thermal effi ciency of the building especially during hot summer weather or days with large temperature swings.

SIPs are a third wall option. These prefabricated, laminated insulation panels for walls, ceilings, fl oors and roofs offer energy savings of 12 to 14 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In fact, they can be so air tight they require fresh-air ventilation.

Warm fl oorsThough the upfront investment in energy-effi cient radiant fl oors and ground-

source heat pumps is high, these improvements can reduce your energy use. And the best time to install is at the time of construction.

Experts say radiant fl ooring is more effi cient than baseboard and forced-air heating — from 25 percent to 40 percent more than forced air. But if the system isn’t properly sized or installed or if its boiler is ineffi cient or there’s poor water pressure, the effi ciency can rapidly drop off. The University of Missouri Extension says you can bump effi ciency by tying them into a ground-source heat pump.

Ground-source heat pumps are highly effi cient — 350 percent to 400 percent — because they move heat from the earth instead of creating heat. The typical, “air-to-air” heat pump, can trim the amount of electricity you use to heat your house by 30 percent to 40 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, yet ground-source systems can nearly double those savings.

If radiant fl oors and ground-source heat pumps are beyond your budget, think insulation. If you plan to have a crawl space instead of a basement, energy-effi ciency expert Doug Rye advises insulating it by covering the ground with heavy plastic, closing foundation vents and insulating the foundation wall. If your new basement will be unfi nished, place 2 x 4-inch studs on the basement wall and then spray cellulose or foam insulation between them. As Rye puts it, “Warmer basement equals warmer feet.”

Important dates:OFFICE CLOSINGS

May 25

Memorial Day

July 3

Independence Day

July 16, 2015

Annual Meeting

Schuyler County High

School

Tri-County Electric CooperativePO Box 159

Lancaster, MO 63548660-457-3733 or 888-457-3734

www.tricountyelectric.org

Board of DirectorsPresident-Mark VanDolah

Vice President-Harley HarrelsonSecretary-Dave KochTreasurer-Bill Triplett

Rusty AndersKelley Church

Kenny McNamarJoe SeboltRex Winn

General ManagerJane Bahler-Hurt

EditorKevin Wheeler

kwheeler@tricountyelectric.org

TO REPORT AN OUTAGECall Toll-Free888-457-3734

Local

660-457-3733Before Calling:• Check your breakers or

fuses• Check to see if your

neighbors have powerWhen calling be sure to have the following:• Your name• Member number • Location • Which account (if you

have multiple accounts)

A newsletter for members ofProviding energy for life.Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Tri-County Fee ScheduleLate Payment Fee $5.00Meter Test Fee $30.00Returned Check Fee $30.00Collection Trip Fee $30.00Trip Fee for Member’s Side OutageOffi ce Hours $60.00After Hours $120.00Reconnect FeeOffi ce Hours $120.00w/in 12 mos. $120.00After Hours $180.00

Building an energy-effi cient homeNow is the time to invest in savings

With the improving economy, we’re seeing more cooperative members move forward in building new homes. There’s a lot to research! One priority: look for ways to build the most energy-effi cient home you can afford because the investment you make will save you money in the long run. Even with our affordable utility rates — compared to many other states — energy costs are bound to increase, so an energy-effi cient home is a smart investment.

You’ll fi nd all kinds of planning tools and energy-effi cient house designs online. One tool that will help you in the design process (or with an existing house) is the home energy scorecard at www.doe.gov. Search for home energy score. It’s a national rating system developed by DOE that refl ects the energy effi ciency of the home’s structure and heating, cooling and hot water systems.

Planning an energy-effi cient home requires a whole-house approach. As DOE points out, your house is an energy system, with interdependent parts that can affect the performance of the entire system.

Your best bet is to hire an experienced designer who considers the whole-house approach from the get-go. This designer can apply computer models to plans as they are developed to arrive at the most cost-effective and effi cient solutions.

Some variables to consider:Site conditions — The West Virginia University Extension Service poses these critical questions: Is the soil suitable for lawns

and gardens without a lot of amendments? Is there a fl ood hazard? What’s the potential for erosion? Are there potential slope, drainage, high water table and stability issues? If you have to install a septic system, will the soil accommodate an absorption fi eld or sewage lagoon?

Local climate — This is a huge factor in the comfort and energy effi ciency of any building. Visit the Energy Star website to determine the proper amount of insulation levels for the zone where you are building your new home. Find this information at https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table.

Appliances and home electronics — Chances are you’ll start fresh with new appliances and even some electronics in your new home. Since a home’s appliances and electronics account for about 20 percent of its energy bill, you’ll want to buy Energy Star products where possible: They use 10-15 percent less energy and water than other models. Also plan so that electronics that can be turned off when not in use are grouped together so that you can plug them into power strips. That way you can turn off the power strip and save time and energy.

Insulation and air sealing — The more insulation the better. This is one area where you don’t want to

skimp. For Iowa and northern Missouri, insulate your attic to R-49; for areas farther south, including Oklahoma, Energy Star recommends R-38 or 12 to 15 inches of insulation. The University of Missouri Extension recommends R-49 for ceilings, R-18 for walls, R-25 for fl oors over crawl spaces, R-19 for crawl space walls, R-8 for slab edges and R-11 for basement walls. These are minimum values.

When it comes to wall insulation in particular, remember, it will be a whole lot easier to install at the time of construction than later. You can choose between insulating panels, insulating masonry and foam.

As for type of insulation, go to http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/types-insulation for an overview of what’s available. Doug Rye, energy advisor to many cooperatives, recommends cellulose for attics. For information from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association on how much insulation you’ll need for your climate zone, go to www.naima.org/insulation-knowledge-base/residential-home-insulation/how-much-insulation-should-be-installed.html.

Lighting and daylighting — About 10 percent of a home’s energy goes for lighting. Design so that natural light on the east, south and west are utilized. Plan on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fl uorescents lighting (CFLs) to save 75 percent and more in energy costs.

Space heating and cooling — Probably nothing’s more critical to the comfort in your home as its heating and cooling systems. The most effi cient heating and cooling option is likely a ground-source heat pump. Though pricey, you can take advantage of tax credits and Take Control & Save rebates to lower the cost. For links to resources covering heat pumps, fans, boilers, furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment, go to http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/space-heating-and-cooling-products-and-services.

Water heating — Heating water accounts for up to 18 percent of your utility bill. For certain, purchase the most effi cient water heater you can afford, and look at alternatives to conventional heaters, such as heat pump water heaters.

Windows, doors and skylights — You can spend a small fortune on these features, which deserve thorough research for best buys. Beyond the actual windows themselves, you can build design features into your new home that will save energy. For example, avoid as many windows on the north as possible. Incorporate passive solar features such as window overhangs, awnings, shutters, shades (www.heatsavershades.com), insulated panels, high-refl ective fi lms and landscape plantings that can block summer rays but channel warming winter sunshine into your house. Thoroughly caulk and seal or even the most expensive windows will leak air like a sieve.

You’ll also want to factor in lifestyle, family size, comfort zones, even age of the occupants. Preference for building materials — energy effi ciency doesn’t mean you have to live in a straw-bale or underground house — can be another variable.