TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019

Here’s a way to become energy effi cient relatively inexpensively: passive solar. Passive solar building design matches the sun’s

energy with a building’s orientation, site and materials to use less energy generally without mechanical help. Whether you are designing a new home or modifying your ex-isting one, you can use sun power to reduce both heating and cooling costs. A kilowatt of heat is found in 1 square yard, so it’s easy to cal-culate how much potential energy is falling on the square footage of your house, particularly the south side. According to the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy, using passive solar features to capture that energy can, in many cases, reduce your heating costs to less than half that of a typical home. If you are unfamiliar with the passive solar concept, a good place to start is the DOE at www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-effi -cient-home-design/passive-solar-home-design. Another is the Missou-ri Division of Energy at https://energy.mo.gov/solar/passive-systems, and a third is Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_so-lar_building_design. A passive solar home collects heat as the sun shines through south-facing windows and retains it in materials that store heat, known as thermal mass. Well-designed passive solar homes also pro-vide daylight all year and comfort during the cooling season through carefully designed overhangs and refl ective coatings on windows, exterior walls and roofs. The basic elements of passive solar design to incorporate into plans for a new house or for remodeling an existing one are: Solar collectors — Windows are the most common form of solar collector. Clear glass transmits 80 to 90 percent of solar radia-tion, which is absorbed by the house and radiated from the interior surfaces as infrared radiation. The window glass allows solar radi-ation to pass through, and the solar heat is trapped from leaving the house. Windows should face within 30 degrees of true south and not be shaded during the heating season by other buildings or trees from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During spring, fall and the cooling season, windows should be shaded. Thermal mass — Thermal mass is a material such as concrete, brick, stone and tile that absorbs heat from sunlight during the heating season and absorbs heat from warm air in the house during the cool-ing season. Water also can absorb and store heat, but masonry has the advantage of doing double duty as a structural and/or fi nish material. If your house is well insulated and in a moderate climate zone, the thermal mass in home furnishings and drywall may be suffi cient. Distribution mechanisms — Solar heat is transferred from where it is collected and stored to different areas of the house by

conduction, convention and radiation. Small fans and blowers help distribute heat as well. Here are three ways heat moves: • Conduction is when heat moves between two objects in direct contact with each other, such as when a sun-heated fl oor warms your bare feet. • Convection occurs through a fl uid such as air or water that moves heat from a warmer space such as a sunroom into the house. • Radiation is what you feel when you stand next to a wood stove or a sunny window and feel its warmth on your skin. Darker colors absorb more heat than lighter colors and are a better choice for thermal mass. Control strategies — Properly sized roof overhangs can pro-vide shade to vertical south windows during summer months. Other controls include electronic-sensing devices, such as a thermostat that signals to a fan to turn on, vents and dampers that allow or restrict heat fl ow, low-emissivity blinds, operable insulating shutters and awnings.

Take Advantage of the POWER of the Sun

Two Tri-County Electric directors earned their Director Gold Certifi cate (DGC). The Director Gold Credential recognizes direc-tors who are committed to continuing their education beyond the Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and Board Leadership Certifi cate (BLC) and who desire a tangible credential that demon-strates their ongoing commitment to their cooperative. Congratula-tions to Harley Harrelson and Kelley Church!

Pictured from left to right: Harley Harrelson, Direc-tor-at-Large; Mark Van Dolah, Board President and Kelley Church, Secretary.

Join Us June 27, 201980th Annual Meeting

Add more vegetables the easy and tasty way!

Grab the microwavable steam bags from the freezer section. Top with your favorite herbs or a sprinkle of cheese to make them tastier.

Don’t enjoy soft vegetables? Grab hard vegetables like broccoli, caulifl ower, carrots or sweet potatoes. Wash, cut into bite-size pieces, toss in a little olive oil, salt, garlic and herbs then roast at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes for crunchy-tender veggies.

Sautéed veggies, like mushrooms, peppers, onions and other favorites add fl avor to your eggs and provide nu-trients to power your day.

Add avocado to your sandwich for a dose of healthy fats and good cholesterol.

Not a fan of vegetables at all? Consider hiding your veggies in foods like pasta sauce, meatballs and more. Search online for “hidden vegetable recipes.”

Instead of refi ned fl our pasta, try whole grain pasta or legume-based pastas, like chickpea, black bean or red lentil. These pastas are higher in fi ber, which can help you feel fuller longer. You can even mix them half and half with traditional pasta.

Add more protein and fi ber to your diet by trying qui-noa instead of rice. Though the calorie counts are simi-lar, quinoa has more protein and fi ber than brown rice.

When sautéing, replace butter or coco-nut oil with olive oil to trade saturated fats for healthier fats.

Beat the mid-afternoon sugar craving. Keep apples, tangerines, berries or another favorite fruit on-hand to satisfy your need for sugar; eat your fruit with peanut or almond butter for extra pro-

tein and fat to keep you feeling full after your snack. If you‘re craving chocolate, try a vanilla or chocolate Greek yogurt (with active cultures), add some dark chocolate chips, nuts and berries. You’ll feel like you’re indulging while giving your body important nutrients, like probiotics, calcium and an array of vitamins and minerals.

Drink more water. Increasing your water intake can help curb cravings, boost your energy and support every single system in your body, including your immune sys-tem. By drinking more water, you’ll likely think clearer, digest food easier and your joints and muscles will feel better. Try adding fruit or mint leaves to your water, or cut your favorite juices by mixing them with an equal amount of still or sparkling water. Instead of focusing on what to remove from your meals, try adding a few new habits to make your meals healthier!

TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019

Tips for Healthier Meals

“Instead of focusing on what to remove from your meals, try adding a few new habits to make your

meals healthier!”Amy Farris

Manager of Administration & HRTri-County Electric Cooperative

January 2019 2018Wholesale Power Costs $583,684 $537,860

Revenue $1,691,164 $1,455,416

Operating Costs $1,078,623 $1,142,027

Margins $612,541 $313,389

Year to Date Totals 2019 2018

Wholesale Power Costs $1,132,316 $1,146,677

Revenue $3,068,301 $3,121,746

Operating Costs $2,362,220 $2,287,466

Margins $706,081 $834,279

At the February 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 following board meeting minutes: Regular Board Meeting (1/28/2019).• Dennis Koch, CPA, presented the board with the 2018 Financial Audit. • The board approved the 2018 Financial Audit and 2018 margin allocations. • The board reviewed and approved new memberships.• The board reviewed and approved write-offs.• The board reviewed and approved estate payout amounts. • The board reviewed and reaffi rmed board policies: B-010- Identity Theft Prevention Policy B-011- Whistleblower Complaint Procedure and Anti-Retaliation• Approved Board Meeting date change for May and June 2019.• The board discussed 2019 Annual Meeting of Members.• The board received a safety report, a member services and a communications report. • The board received a report of operations.• The board reviewed fi nancials and expenditures in detail.• The board heard reports from NEP and AMEC. • The next board meeting was set for March 25, 2019.

February 2019 Comparative Operating Report

February 2019 Board Report

new habits to make your meals healthier!

Visit Connections.coop

Grab your Co-op Connections Card today! Call us locally: 660-457-3733

TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019

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TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019TRICOUNTYELECTRIC.ORG | MAY 2019

Board of Directors:PRESIDENTMark Van Dolah

VICE PRESIDENTKenny McNamar

SECRETARYKelley Church

ASSISTANT SECRETARYDave Koch

TREASURERBill Triplett

ASSISTANT TREASURER Joe Sebolt

DIRECTORS AT LARGERusty Anders, Karen Farnsworth, Harley Harrelson

CEOJane Bahler-Hurt

EDITORAlexandra Shetler

tcec

Offi ce Information:16894 US Hwy 63PO Box 159 Lancaster, MO 63548

Local: 660-457-3733Toll Free: 888-457-3734Website: https://www.tricountyelectric.org

Dates To Observe: Offi ce ClosedMonday May 27, Memorial Day

Tri-County Fee ScheduleLate Payment Fee $10.00Meter Test Fee $50.00Returned Check Fee $30.00Collection Trip Fee $50.00

Trip Fee for Member’s Side OutageOffi ce Hours $60.00After Hours $225.00

Reconnect FeeOffi ce Hours $120.00w/in 12 months $185.00After Hours $225.00

We offer levelized billing. If interested, please call the offi ce at (660) 457-3733

To Report an Outage:Before calling check your breakers or fuses. Check to see if your neighbors have power.

When calling be sure to have the following:

*Your name*Member number *Location *Which account (if you havemultiple accounts)

Electricity plays many roles in our lives, from powering baby monitors, cell phones and lighting, to running HVAC systems and appliances. No wonder we get so comfortable with its instant availability that when we fl ip a switch, we expect most systems or devices to do the job. May is National Elec-

trical Safety Month, and here at Tri-County, we think it’s a great time to look around your home and check for potential safety hazards. Remember, every electrical device has a purpose and a service lifespan. While we can extend their operations with maintenance and care, none of them are designed to last or work forever. When electricity is involved, failures can present electrical hazards that might be avoided with periodic inspections.

Ground Fault Circuit InterruptersOutdoor outlets or those in potentially damp locations in a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room often include GFCI features. They are designed to sense ab-normal current fl ows, breaking the circuit to prevent potential electric shocks from devices plugged into the outlets. The average GFCI outlet is designed to last about 10 years, but in areas prone to electrical storms or power surges, they can wear out in fi ve years or less. Check them frequently by pressing the red test button. Make sure you hit the black reset button when you are done. Contact a licensed electrician to replace any failing GFCI outlets.

Loose or Damaged Outlets or SwitchesUnstable electrical outlets or wall switches with signs of heat damage or discoloration can offer early warnings of potential shock or electrical fi re hazards. Loose connections can allow

electrical current arcing. If you see these warning signs, it may be time to contact an electrician. Surge ProtectorsPower strips with surge protectors can help safeguard expensive equipment like televisions, home entertainment systems and computer components from power spikes. Voltage spikes are

measured in joules, and surge protectors are rated for the number of joules they can effectively absorb. That means if your surge protector is rated at 1,000 joules, it should be replaced when

it hits or passes that limit. When the limit is reached, protection stops, and you’re left with a basic power strip. Some surge protectors include indicator lights that fl icker to warn you when they’ve stopped working as designed, but many do not. If your electrical system takes a major hit, or if you don’t

remember when you bought your surge protector, replacement may be the best option.Extension CordsIf you use extension cords regularly to connect devices and equipment to your wall outlets, you may live in an underwired home. With a growing number of electrical devices connecting

your family to the electricity you get from Tri-County, having enough outlets in just the right spots can be challenging. Remember, extension cords are designed for temporary, occasional or

periodic use. If an extension cord gets noticeably warm when in use, it could be undersized for the intended use. If it shows any signs of frayed, cracked or heat-damaged insulation, it should

be replaced. If the grounding prong is missing, crimped or loose, a grounded cord will not provide the protection designed into its performance. And always make sure that extension cords

used in outdoor or potentially damp locations are rated for exterior use. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 51,000 electrical fi res are reported each year

in the United States, causing more than $1.3 billion in annual property damage. Electricity is an essential necessity for modern living, and Tri-County is committed to providing safe, reliable

and affordable power to all of our members. We hope you’ll keep these electrical safety tips in mind so that you can note any potential hazards before damage occurs.

Tri-County Electric

@TCEC Missouri

Tri-County Electric Cooperative MO

@TCEC_MO

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Bill Payment Options The Offi ceYou’re always welcome to pay in person at our offi ce. See offi ce information for address. Drop Box Located at our offi ce available 24/7.Online Bill PayAvailable 24/7 at www.tricountyelectric.orgBy Mailing ToTri-County Electric Cooperative, 16894 US Hwy 63, PO Box 159, Lancaster, MO 63548Auto PayFrom your checking or savings account or with your deb-it/credit card. Set yourself up online or give us a callBy Phone Using your debit/credit card by calling us locally (8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F) 660-457-3733 or Toll-Free (24/7) at 888-457-3734.

CEO & General Manger Jane Bahler-Hurt

Safety Starts With You