I want to thank the Members of HILCO that took time to vote in this years election. While I'm disappointed with the fact that I will no longer be affiliated with HILCO as a Director, I am appreciative that I was given the last 3 years to work to make it a better company for the members and employees. As a member of HILCO, I wish Leroy Huff and the Board the very best and hope things continue to be well for the Cooperative.

Stephen Pape

Question: I' d like to help keep HILCO' s costs down but can one person really make a difference?

Background: HILCO has to pay an additional fee each month to our power provider based on the average of the high monthly peak usage by HILCO members when the provider s system has its maximum usage peak in June, July, August, and September each year. The average of the highest peak for each of these four months becomes the basis for the next year s charges. The Peak period historically occurs on really hot days between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. So, HILCO has selected the period from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM for voluntary conservation efforts.

Answer: YES! Individual HILCO members can make a difference. The primary reason for the late afternoon electricity use peak is air conditioning systems turning on to cool our homes. If you have only one system, no one would expect you to turn it off when it is really hot. However, if you have more than one system, you could limit activities to a single area in the home and let the air conditioners for the other areas have a rest during the peak period.

Also, if you have a pool, you can set the timer on the pool pumps to insure they do not run between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. If you have to run a certain number of hours a day, make sure these hours are the cooler hours of the day.
Everyone has to eat so, if you need to cook supper, try to limit the number of burners you use at the same time. Also, use the microwave and try to refrain from meals that require oven use during the summer peak. If a roast sounds good, consider using a slow cooker beginning earlier in the day if possible rather than the big oven load right at dinner time.

Dishwashers, dryers, irons, hot water use (if you have electric water heating), and vacuuming are all things that you might consider doing earlier or later than the peak period.

While they don t individually use a lot of power, if you add up multiple lights, computers, televisions, battery chargers, ceiling fans, and other common household loads, just cutting off and unplugging unneeded loads can reduce a lot of power draw during the peak.

Lastly, if you operate a business, cut off the commercial loads as early in the afternoon as possible. This might include turning off air conditioning a few minutes before the last occupant leaves for the day. Programmable thermostats can help do this automatically and have the office space cooled back down in time for the occupants to return the next morning.

All this shows that you don t have to be in the heat to make a difference. Just look around and plan your usage and we can all be cool while still working to control our costs.

Thanks to everyone for doing what you can!

Stephen

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