On The Wire @ WCEC

December 2022

Get ready for a little extra jingle in your pocket. 

Capital credits are on the way! 

Each year the board of directors of the cooperative analyze the financial condition of the co-op to determine if they can retire capital credits. And if so, the amount. Their decision is based on the financial policies, lender requirements, and the cooperative’s covenants and bylaws.

This year the board approved retiring $2 million; 27% of 2021 margins (annual revenue minus expenses).

For the vast majority of members, their capital credits will be returned via bill credits on their accounts in the month of December, and the amount owed will be reduced by that amount. Each member’s credit varies depending on the amount of electricity purchased by them and margins allocated to them since becoming members.

The bill credit process is eco-friendly and eliminates costs associated with sending checks. It also cuts down on checks that are lost or delayed in the mail. As a non-proﬁt electric cooperative, we strive to keep your bills low. One of those ways is to adopt efﬁciencies. This one reaps costs savings, while simplifying the process for the cooperative and members both. And, just like always, these credits are just in time to lighten the load for the holidays.

Amounts greater than $300 will receive a check instead of a bill credit, as will inactive members who have closed their accounts.

At WCEC, we are your cooperative. We always strive to keep electric rates as low as possible since we don’t need to maximize profits for stockholders. Over the last 20 years more than $20 million in capital credits has been returned to members. Capital credits are just one more benefit of being a cooperative member.

Give the Gift of Energy Savings

It's December, and Christmas will be here before you know it! If you’re struggling to ﬁnd the perfect gift for that one family member who’s just plain impossible to shop for, turn to a category of gifts that keep on giving: energy-efficient gadgets.

Consider some of these energy-saving gift ideas to help your friends and family save money year-round:

Smart TVs and streaming devices. If the person you’re shopping for doesn’t already have a smart TV with streaming apps on it, a streaming device like a Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick could be a great gift. Of course, streaming videos will consume energy no matter the technology you’re using, but smart TVs and streaming devices consume less energy than pairing a TV set with a cable box or video game console.

Smart speakers. Smart speakers like those from Amazon and Google are not only designed to be energy efficient but can also be used to monitor and control other smart devices in your home to optimize energy use.

Solar-powered charging banks. Anyone with a cellphone knows that at some point, the battery is going to run low when they’re far from an outlet. A portable battery is a great solution to get that extra boost for your phone to make it through the day, and it doesn’t get more energy efficient than a charger that harnesses the power of the sun.

Smart thermostat. About half of the average American home’s annual energy bill goes to heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. One way to curb those costs is by installing a smart thermostat, which can learn a household’s routine and adjust temperatures accordingly. You can even control some right from your phone, no matter where you are in the world.

LED light bulbs and lamps. Though light bulbs might not make for the most exciting gifts, LED bulbs can be great stocking stuffers that’ll save energy and money over time. For a more compelling present, consider buying an LED lamp that your loved one can use to cozy up with a book this winter or voice-activated LED light strips that can change color.

Kitchen countertop appliances. Electric griddles, air fryers, waffle makers and slow cookers make for great energy-efficient gifts that help avoid heating up the main oven, and can also reduce cooking times.

Safety Tip of the Month

’Tis the Season for Extension Cords

Decorating for Christmas with lights, inﬂatable lawn ornaments, projectors and music might lead festive families to commit safety blunders—and chief among them is the misuse of extension cords.

Here are 10 tips from Electrical Safety Foundation International for using extension cords properly this holiday season.

Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord.They’re not designed for that kind of electrical load.
Choose an extension cord designed for outdoor use if you plan to use it outside.
Inspect your cords for damage like cracks and loose wires. If they’re not in good shape, replace them.
Never hide an extension cord under a rug. The cord could overheat and set the rug on ﬁre.
Buy cords only if they’re approved by UL or another independent testing laboratory.
Keep cords away from water and snow.
Never nail or staple cords to your gutters or walls when you use them to power strands of holiday lights. Instead use plastic hangers that won’t puncture the cords.
Don’t remove the third prong of a three-prong plug to force it into a two-prong outlet. Instead, buy an adapter.
Put your extension cords away with your holiday decorations. They’re designed for temporary, not permanent, use.
Avoid overloading a multiple-slot extension cord with too many devices. That cord has to plug into an outlet that can overheat if you overload it.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

You pay for heated air to warm your home, so make the most of it by ensuring air vents aren’t blocked.

Blocked air vents force your heating system to work harder than necessary and increase pressure in the ductwork, which can cause cracks and leaks to form.

Make sure all air vents are unobstructed from furniture, drapes or other items to ensure sufficient circulation throughout your home. If necessary, purchase a vent extender, which can be placed over a vent to redirect air flow from underneath furniture.