SAVE THE

DATE

YOU’RE IN POWER.YOU’RE IN POWER.800 541 2662 | FarmersElectric.coop | 2000 Interstate 30 East, Greenville, TX 75402

80TH ANNUALCO-OP MEETING•SEPT 30

HOPKINS COUNTY REGIONAL CIVIC CENTER

Ballots will be attached to next month’s issue. Be sure to mail in your ballot to automatically be entered for a chance to win one of ten $100 electric bill credits.

WIN $100 CREDITSEPT BALLOT REMINDER

A thermostat that saves energy and pays you.$100 enrollment credit.

Special offer for Farmers EC Members who currently have or are planning to purchase a Nest Learning Thermostat and enroll in Rush Hour Rewards.

YOU’RE IN POWER.

by Farmers Electric Cooperative

LEARN MORE ABOUT NEST AT: FarmersElectric.coop

800 541 2662 | FarmersElectric.coop

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Many people are looking for ways to lower their energy bill —including renewable energy options. But before you invest in a renewable system, first make sure your home or business is as efficient as possible. The cheapest, cleanest and greenest energy is the energy not used, and this comes from energy efficiency.

Let nature do some of the work. Consider leaving your windows open and turning off the air conditioner at night, when temperatures are much more moderate. Then keep the windows shut during daylight hours to help keep that cooler air inside. You can also install window coverings, which can block out sunlight and heat during the day. Also, increase insulation and seal cracks that let out cooled air. Make sure that your cooling equipment is in topnotch condition. If possible, move the air conditioner out of direct sunlight. Regularly clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters. A new, more energy-efficient air conditioner can also cut energy use. A programmable thermostat can cut back on costs while you are away from home. Program the thermostat to a warmer temperature while away and to a lower temperature when you expect to return home. Setting the thermostat as high as you can while still remaining comfortable can help reduce costs and lead

to a smaller cooling bill. Also, fans can make higher temperatures in the home feel more comfortable. On the warmest days, avoid using the oven. Grill outside or use the stove or a microwave. Cut back on water heating costs by taking shorter showers and using low-flow showerheads. Run clothes washers and dishwashers only when they have full loads. Additionally, lower the set temperature on the water heater. Energy.gov suggests setting the water heater temperature to no higher than 120 degrees. Take into account the best times to run your appliances. Avoid using them during typical peak electricity demand hours, around 4–7 p.m. Also be sure to switch off and unplug appliances when they are not being used. Consider air-drying clothes and dishes. Turn off lights that are not in use, and switch to light-emitting diode bulbs. The folks at Energy.gov say you can save up to $75 a year by replacing the five most frequently used light bulbs in your home with LED bulbs.

If you are interested in incorporating renewable energy after implementing these conservation tips, the Energy Education Council has developed a checklist, available at energyedcouncil.org/checklist.pdf, to help you assess your energy use, goals, property and more.

FARMERS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

CO-OP NEWS

The Cleanest, Greenest Energy Is the Energy Not Used.

by MARK STUBBSGeneral Manager

FARMERS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

The Value of ElectricityIt might seem that everything costs more these day, but electricity is still a great bargain. Here’s what a dollars worth can get you:

Manage Energy Use With Handy Apps.

Tracking your steps, your children, your banking activity or your parked car—

these days, there really is an app for everything. If you are efficiency-savvy and

want to manage your energy use, there also may be an app that works for you.

Apps can provide useful insight into how specific actions affect your utility bill.

While there are several to choose from, some can be difficult to use or limited

by brand. Try a few, and choose the one that works best for you. All of the apps

mentioned in this article are available for Apple and Android devices.

NestOwned by Google, created by Nest Labs and linked only to Nest thermostats, this free app has

several useful features. It can adjust a home’s thermostat using a mobile device—whether from

the car or from the couch. Nest users can view and edit a thermostat schedule, keep an eye

on how much energy is being used, and opt to receive extreme temperature alerts before a

pet overheats or pipes freeze. In addition, there is an option to enable alerts for dangers such

as smoke and carbon monoxide. Plus, Farmers EC will give you a $100 when you enroll in

Rush Hour Rewards with Nest.

Together We SaveTouchstone Energy Cooperatives offers the TogetherWeSave app, which enables users to

calculate the energy consumption for many household appliances based on national averages.

This free app includes about 100 calculators that determine the projected energy use and cost

of particular appliances and activities. The app also offers 100 practical energy-saving tips.

For Touchstone members, the TogetherWeSave app calculates energy costs based on actual

utility rates for even greater accuracy. The app links to Farmers Electric Cooperative’s website

for timely updates and information.

SmartHubThe SmartHub app enables members to see near real-time information about their energy

use. Essentially, this app helps customers better understand how and when they use energy.

The SmartHub app was developed by National Information Solutions Cooperative and uses

the same data as the SmartHub web portal. All members can pay their utility bills using mobile

devices, and prepay customers can also view their balances. For members who have solar

systems installed at their home, the app enables them to check their offset power compared

to their purchased power.

Your Trusted Energy ResourceThese apps employ the latest technology to maximize the ability to manage your use, but the

next generation of energy apps will likely integrate across multiple platforms—managing your

thermostat, appliances, water heater, home electronics and other devices from the convenience

of your smartphone. In the meantime, while app technology continues to evolve, your best

resource for saving energy and money is your local electric co-op.

Farmers Electric Cooperative can provide guidance on energy savings based on your account information, local energy use, weather patterns for our region and other factors specific to your location. Call 800 541 2662 today to schedule a FREE Home Energy Audit.

CO-OP NEWS

Source: US Department of Energy: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

hot pots of coffee100

hours of laptop internet access72

freshly ironed shirts72

hours of watching TV48

Intense hours of gaming36

pieces of nicely browned toast375

FarmersElectric.coop

Odds & Ends Fair, festival, class or show—share your community event with

us and we’ll help you get the word out with the Farmers EC

Community Calendar.

SEND TO: event@FarmersElectric.coop

Power tipIs your room air conditioner working overtime? Reduce air leaks by installing rigid foam panels (instead of the commonly used accordion panels) between the window frame and the unit, and secure with duct tape.

Sponsored by the Wylie Chamber of Commerce, the Wylie Championship Rodeo is a two-night United Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeo. In its 25th year, the rodeo features rough stock events, such as bull riding and bronc busting. Attendees are also invited to shop at over 50 concession and vendor booths with free kids’ games and a Kiddie Korral featuring inflatable bounce houses.

For more information, visit wyliechamber.org or call 972 442 2804.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 & 9, 2017

Gates open at 6:30 pm; rodeo starts at 8 pm

Wylie Rodeo Arena at Wylie Ag CenterHensley Lane behind Wylie High School, 2550 W. FM 544, Wylie, Texas 

EVENT SPONSORED IN PART BY FARMERS EC

Wylie Championship Rodeo

RECIPE

Inside-OutBurgers

INGREDIENTS

1 ⅓ pounds lean ground beef

1 tablespoon garlic puree

1 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix

1 tablespoon black pepper

½ cup finely shredded cheddar

½ cup finely shredded mozzarella

1 can (4 ounces) mushrooms

¼ cup finely chopped onion

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix ground beef, garlic, ranch dressing mix and pepper, and divide into 8 equal-sized balls.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the cheese, mushrooms and onions to form a stuffing. Flatten 4 of the meatballs into thin patties and center a quarter of the stuffing on each.

3. Flatten the remaining 4 balls into patties and place them atop the first 4 to cover filling. Seal the edges together with your fingers.

4. Grill or fry the patties until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side on medium heat.

Did you know? In the average American home, more than half of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Idle power uses more electricity annually than the output of all the solar panels in America combined.

Holiday Hours Our offices will be closed Monday, Sept 4th for Labor Day. Crews will be on standby in case of outages.