Finding Peace in Nature - Summer Savings Through Energy Efficiency Upgrades - May 2020 - ccppd
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May 2020
Finding
Peace in
Nature
Summer Savings
Through Energy
Efficiency Upgrades
ADVERTISEMENT
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Contents
Volume 74, Number 5, May 2020
“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”
Staff
Features
Editor
Wayne Price
Editorial Assistant
Tina Schweitzer
Finding Peace in Nature 6
Published by the
Nature can provide hours of peace and
comfort during difficult times. But due to the
COVID-19 pandemic we are asked to remain
Interim General Manager
at home, so where can one turn for the peace
Dave Jarecke
and comfort of nature? The answer might be
right out your window.
President Summer Savings 14
Bryan Monahan,
Panhandle Rural Electric
Membership Association
If May’s warmer weather has you thinking
about the sultry summer months ahead, this
Vice President/Secretary
could be a great time to consider energy-
A.C. (Pat) Hecox,
saving options and making plans to help
Dawson Public Power District
control your energy costs.
Departments
Treasurer
Greg Strehle,
Cuming County Public Power District
Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric
Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln,
EDITOR’S PAGE 4
Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.
Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan does
not imply endorsement for products by the
SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy 12
Nebraska Rural Electric Association.
Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price,
CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by Pat Keegan 16
Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048,
Lincoln, NE 68501.
The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by the
RECIPES 20
Aradius Group, 4700 F Street, Omaha, NE 68117.
Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural Electric
MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS 22
Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.
Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb.
POSTMASTER: send address changes to the
On the cover
Rural Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box
82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.
Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN
0193-4937.
Subscriber Services: Cost of subscription for
consumers of participating member-systems is
$2.14 per year (17.8 cents per month), plus
A seed feeder can attract birds such as this
periodicals postage paid from equity accruing to
Red-bellied Woodpecker. See the related story
the consumer. For nonmembers, a subscription is on Page 6. Photograph by Scott Casper
$10 per year or $20 for three years, plus local and
state tax. Single copy, $2.50.
May 2020 3
EDITOR’S PAGE
Adjusting to the new reality of the COVID-19 virus
et me start by saying that I hope each the staff. Most have reported they are
L of you are safe and healthy as you are
reading this issue of the Rural
Electric Nebraskan magazine. As I am
increasing cleaning
preventative measures.
services
Other procedures related to COVID-19
and
writing this we are in the middle of self that are in place include:
isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Outreach to employees with messaging
Our top priority is the safety and health of around workplace hygiene, authoritative
by Wayne Price
the NREA membership and staff. We have websites to monitor and sanitizing efforts for
closed our office in Lincoln to all visitors and the office.
the majority of the employees, myself • Encourage employees who are sick or
included, are working from home for the have sick family members to stay home.
time being. • Practice social distancing, self-
To say that flexibility of workplace quarantine, and isolation as directed by local
practices during this unique time is required officials.
is an understatement. It can be more • Implement steps to separate work crews
difficult if you’re also dealing with having to help safeguard the integrity of the
your children home from school. distribution system.
The NREA member-systems that provide These are unprecedented times and with
electricity to your homes and businesses the uncertainty of our future, the NREA
across the state are following the guidelines remains committed to its mission of serving
of the World Health Organization (WHO) our membership. The NREA staff will
and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). continue to provide essential services to our
Many of the local offices where you pay your membership.
electric bill have also closed to visitors. We are grateful to our membership for the
Some public power districts and electric cooperative efforts during this ever-changing
cooperatives have also separated their situation. We are “Working for Nebraska”
working crews of linemen from the rest of and your continued safety.
Prevent the spread of COVID-19 in
7 Steps
1 Wash your hands
frequently
5 Stay at home if you
feel unwell
If you have a fever,
2 Avoid touching your
eyes, nose and mouth
6 cough and difficulty
breathing, seek
medical care early
Cover your cough using
3 the bend of your elbow
— but call first
or a tissue Get information
7 from trusted
sources.
Follow us
4 Avoid crowded places and
close contact with anyone SOURCE: WORLD HEALTH
that has a fever or cough ORGANIZATION
@RENeditor
4 Rural Electric Nebraskan
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Finding Peace in Nature
By Scott Casper and Mark Peyton
ature has provided me with birdbath at once was pretty cool to deep sleep. They survive by breaking
N hours of peace and comfort
during difficult times. Many
times I have left my home with stress
see.
Flowers such as trumpet creeper
vines can attract species such as
down the stored fats in their bodies.
In a deep sleep the animal requires
far less energy, which it can get from
on my mind and the wonders of hummingbirds. I would regularly see the fats.
nature have lifted my spirits. The ruby-throated hummingbirds from Reptiles, on the other hand, never
sight and sounds of thousands of July until early September on my really “go to sleep”. They remain
Sandhill cranes at Rowe Sanctuary trumpet creeper vines. One day I kind of awake, but with a reduced
near Gibbon, the awesome display of noticed a hummingbird that looked a metabolism. This is called
bald eagles swooping down to catch little different and it turned out to be “brumation” and it differs from
fish at the J-2 Power Plant near a Rufous hummingbird, somewhat hibernation in three major ways.
Lexington, as well as Lake Ogallala, unusual for Nebraska, proving that a First, a brumating animal is more-
deer crossing the MOPAC East person can find rare sightings right or-less awake and consumes more
hike/bike trail in Lancaster and Cass outside your window. energy than a hibernating animal.
Counties, red-tailed hawks and other Secondly, metabolism uses water so
raptors flying above, and squirrels the brumating animal must consume
and songbirds seemingly everywhere. water to keep from dehydrating.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic Lastly, a brumating animal lives on
we are asked to remain at home, so stored glycogen, not fat. Glycogen is
where can one turn for the peace and a complex polysaccharide (sugar)
comfort of nature? The answer might produced by the body and it is our
be right out your window. Whether main source of “energy” on a daily
one lives in a city, town, or rural basis. The problem with glycogen is
setting there is nature near by that that we can only store a limited
can be viewed to provide peace and amount, for example, when marathon
comfort. runners run out of stored glycogen
Birds are a great example of nature they “hit the wall”. When a
that may be right out your window. If A squirrel hunkers down in the brumating animal runs out of
you want to bring the birds closer, hoarfrost. Photographs by Scott glycogen they must eat or die.
there are a variety of ways to do so. A Casper. Estivation is pretty much the same
simple feeder, like the one shown on as hibernation but during times of
the cover can attract many species Another thing that amazes me excessive heat and or dryness. The
including the red-bellied woodpecker about Nature is how wild animals can biggest concern during estivation is
shown. survive in different types of water. Also, the animals that
Another simple way to attract birds conditions, take for example squirrels regularly estivate can become re-
like orioles and finches is to cut an like this one shown in hoarfrost. animated fairly quickly while waking
orange in half and poke it into a stick While it is new for most humans to be up hibernating animals is a lot like
or other sharp object. The birds seem asked to hunker down and survive in waking up teenagers.
to love oranges and will even battle a limited space for a while, squirrels, So during difficult times, one can
for this prize. which do not hibernate, have to do admire Nature, learn from Nature,
A birdbath can attract birds, this each and every year. and find peace and comfort viewing
especially during dry times. Many kinds of animals do the Nature right at home.
Sometimes the birds come in one at a hibernate, and some brumate while While I have spent hours and hours
time, or possibly in pairs. If a person others estivate. What is the in photography blinds, all of the
keeps watching long enough small difference? Mark Peyton, a naturalist photographs for this article, (even the
flocks may come to your birdbath. The who regularly contributes to the squirrel in the hoarfrost), were taken
seven American robins shown at the Rural Electric Nebraskan put it this out of the same window of my old
birdbath wasn’t even all that were way: rural Buffalo County house.
gathered right outside my window at During hibernation mammals and Sometimes you travel to see wildlife,
the time. However, seven at the amphibians go into a torpid state of sometimes the wildlife travels to you.
6 Rural Electric Nebraskan
Above: A bird bath can attract birds such as these
American Robins.
Left: A Baltimore Oriole and House finch are attracted
to a half of an orange.
Below: A Rufous Hummingbird lands on trumpet vines.
May 2020 7
by Cory Fuehrer
Taking
Advantage of the
Earth’s Heat
f you haven’t already, you will likely run your air
I conditioning system within the next few weeks. Most
public power utilities in Nebraska have higher rates
June through September to offset increased costs
associated with generating electricity during peak-use
periods. Rather than worry about how fast your air
conditioner is making your electric meter spin and raising
your monthly bill, wouldn’t it be nice to know your system
is cooling and heating your home year-round? The
solution might be right under your feet!
Also called an earth-coupled heat pump, or a
geothermal heat pump, a ground source heat pump
operates by transferring heat to and from the ground or
groundwater. Below the frost line, the temperature of the
earth in Nebraska stays fairly constant at 50 – 55°F. Heat
pumps provide summer cooling by extracting heat from
your home and transferring it into the earth through a
mechanical process. In the winter, that process can be
reversed so the heat pump extracts heat from the earth
and “pumps” it into your home. Since it is much more
efficient to transfer heat than to create it with electrical
resistance or fossil-fueled furnaces, even during extreme
temperature conditions a ground source heat pump can
provide up to five times the amount of heating or cooling
energy for each kilowatt-hour used to run the system.
Ground source heat pump systems generally fall into
two categories: closed-loop and open-loop. Most closed-
loop systems circulate an antifreeze solution, which is
usually made of plastic tubing buried in the ground or warranted by manufacturers, and their working life is
submerged in water. A heat exchanger transfers heat estimated at 25 years for inside components. The plastic
between the refrigerant in the heat pump and the tubing for closed-loop systems will last 50 to 100 years.
antifreeze solution in the closed loop. Maintenance costs tend to be significantly less with a
Open-loop systems use well or surface water as the heat ground source system when compared to fossil-fueled
exchange fluid that circulates directly through the heat heating systems.
pump system. Once it has circulated, water returns to the Yes, setup costs for ground source heat pumps are
ground through the well, a recharge well, or is discharged higher than for conventional systems. However, ground
above ground. This option is especially practical when source heat pump systems qualify for a number of
there is an adequate supply of relatively clean water and programs that dramatically reduce your final cost. Your
all local codes and regulations regarding groundwater local utility may offer additional incentives to reduce your
discharge are met. cost recovery from savings even more quickly. That’s why
Ground source heat pump systems are reasonably it’s a great time to consider ground-source heat pumps.
8 Rural Electric Nebraskan
Linda Hesnard retires from NREA Credit Union
Does your cooling
system need a tune up?
A
fter 27 years of service as the pictures on email of family members,
A $30 EnergyWise incentive is Nebraska Rural Electric weddings and vacations. I will miss
available to homeowners that have
their cooling system tuned up, Association Credit Union my co-workers and our CU members
regardless of what type or age of Bookkeeper, Linda very much.”
cooling system it is (air conditioner, air Hesnard has retired. After retirement she
or water source heat pump). She began working at plans to spend part of
The application includes a checklist
of key components your contractor the Credit Union in May her time traveling with
should inspect as well as items for 1993 as a part-time her husband, Dwight.
discussion, such as; filter replacement employee. Over the She would like to visit
schedule, proper temperature set-back years the credit union many of the places they
practices and an understanding of the
general condition of the system. grew along with her have not had time to go
responsibilities. to, until now.
Qualifications She switched to full- “This August we
Incentives are available to customers time status in 2004. have plans to take a
who have their cooling system Her favorite memories train trip through the
inspected and tuned up by an HVAC
Linda Hesnard
contractor. of working at the credit Canadian Rockies and
Qualifying systems include union are of the visit Canada,” she said.
residential central - air conditioners, air membership. “In September 2021 we
source and water source heat pumps “I have gotten to know so many of are planning to go to Ireland to
that are served by Nebraska Public
Power District or its Wholesale Utility them by voice recognition,” she said, watch the Husker football game and
Partners. “the jokes they tell me, the places visit Ireland.”
Contact your utility for an incentive they have traveled, the stories about She is also looking forward to
application. their families. They have shared spending more time with family.
May 2020 9
by Paul Wesslund
The Little
Blue Logo
that Changed
Efficiency Standards
T
he little blue (and sometimes performers based on different So, if the appliance or electronic
black) logo with the star criteria—a refrigerator needs to be device you’re purchasing includes the
inside that you see on all sorts 9% more energy efficient than the EnergyStar logo, you know it’s
of appliances and electronics has minimum efficiency standard; a among the most energy-efficient
changed the way we view savings computer needs to use 25% less products available. That simplicity is
through more efficient products. electricity than conventional models the secret to the success of the
The EnergyStar program claims and include a power-saving mode program that is run by the federal
credit for reducing pollution and option when it’s not being used. Department of Energy and the
greenhouse gas emissions, and for Environmental Protection Agency
saving Americans $30 billion in (EPA).
energy costs. Analysts credit The program’s effectiveness comes
EnergyStar with innovating the from a complex process of making
energy industry, as manufacturers sure the EnergyStar logo is accurate
set goals of making more energy and trusted––and the numbers show
efficient products than their it is trusted. Americans bought more
competitors. than 300 million EnergyStar-rated
What EnergyStar does is make it products in 2017 alone, and an
easy to know whether a product EnergyStar study found that three-
you’re thinking about buying is more fourths of U.S. households say the
energy efficient. Essentially the EnergyStar label influences their
program looks at the average energy purchases. According to
use of each type of product, and energystar.gov, the EPA uses the
awards the EnergyStar rating to top following specifications to determine
10 Rural Electric NebraskanEnergyStar Tools for Calculating Savings
Left: An EnergyStar study found
that three-fourths of U.S. households
O
say the EnergyStar label influences
ver the years, EnergyStar has branched into
their purchases. Photograph by Scott ratings for business, industry and new homes. Its
Van Osdol website, energystar.gov, sprawls with details,
explanations and features like ask the expert, product
if products meet the EnergyStar
finders, tax credit calculators, recommendations for
standard: business strategies, lists of certified test laboratories,
• Product categories must even suggestions for how to set up your video games to
contribute significant energy savings make them more efficient.
nationwide. An example of what’s available sits in the middle of the
• Certified products must deliver
the features and performance
homepage, a link to “Improve your home’s comfort and
demanded by consumers, in addition efficiency.” So, I decided to give it a try.
to increased energy efficiency. The webpage asked me to create a password before
• If the certified product costs answering questions about the square footage of my
more than a conventional, less- house, the number of light fixtures and the appliance
efficient counterpart, purchasers will
recover their investment in increased
model and year of purchase.
energy efficiency through utility bill Full disclosure, I did not complete the entire
savings, within a reasonable period questionnaire, but the energystar.gov site provided some
of time. helpful recommendations.
• Energy efficiency can be I could save energy by replacing a ceiling fan that
achieved through broadly available,
non-proprietary technologies offered
probably was not made with efficiency in mind—it was
by more than one manufacturer. installed before EnergyStar was even born. It also
• Product energy consumption and suggested replacing our 10-year-old dishwasher—no big
performance can be measured and surprise there either.
verified with testing. It’s certainly no secret that today’s appliances are
• Labeling effectively
differentiates products and must be
becoming more energy efficient, and newer models use
visible to consumers. a lot less energy for the same amount of work as their
Today, more than 500 certified labs older counterparts.
in 25 countries around the world test If you’re interested in calculating potential savings, visit
more than 1,500 products a year, www.energystar.gov/campaign/home.
along with surprise inspections, to
manage a list of 60,000 product
models. EnergyStar runs seminars
on how to meet its standards. Those
standards require that TVs must use In 2018, EnergyStar tested 1,792 Paul Wesslund writes on consumer
3 watts or less when switched off; models, disqualifying 59 of them. Of and cooperative affairs for the
light bulbs must use two-thirds less the 858 different kinds of lighting National Rural Electric Cooperative
energy than standard incandescent and fans tested, that year, 51 were Association, the national trade
bulbs; EnergyStar home furnaces disqualified. Of the 35 TVs tested, association representing more than
must be between 4 and 15% more two were disqualified. 900 local public power districts and
efficient than standard furnaces. EnergyStar has caught on because electric cooperatives. From growing
EnergyStar tests also require it has something for everybody— suburbs to remote farming
quality standards in addition to just ways for consumers to save money; communities, rural electric utilities
energy efficiency. In general, ways for businesses to promote their serve as engines of economic
products must have popular efficient products; online calculators development for 42 million Americans
features, like internet connectivity for those wanting deep dives into across 56 percent of the nation’s
for smart TVs. Light bulbs must last finding the ideal energy use; and for landscape.
up to 15 times longer and produce 70 the rest of us, a simple little logo that
to 90% less heat than conventional tells us we’re buying one of the most
bulbs. energy-efficient products available.
May 2020 11Fractal burning can cause electrocution
SAFETY BRIEFS
H
igh voltage electricity is an grabbed one electrode of a Lichtenberg hurting or killing the user.
invisible killer; the user burner in each hand while the voltage “There are many ways to express
cannot see the danger. It is is on, the electricity could flow from your creativity,” said Rick Baker,
easy to see the danger of a spinning one hand, across your heart, and out American Association of Woodworkers
saw blade. It is very obvious that the other hand. This could stop your safety committee chair. “Do not use
coming into contact with a moving heart and kill you. Accidental skin fractal burning. If you have a fractal
blade will cause an injury, but in contact with an energized electrode, burner, throw it away. If you are
almost all cases a spinning blade will the electrolyte, a loose wire, or even looking into fractal burning, stop right
not kill you. With fractal burning, one standing on a conductive floor can all now and move on to something else.
small mistake and you are dead. contribute to conditions causing This could save your life.”
This is true whether you are using electrocution. The American Association of
a homemade device or a In addition to voltage, the burner’s Woodturners has banned the use of
manufactured one. level of amperes, or “amps”—a this process at all of its events and has
Fractal or Lichtenberg burning measure of electrical current—is also banned articles about use of a fractal
works by passing electricity at very important; the greater the amps, the burner in all of its publications.
high voltage between two electrodes greater the risk. Furthermore, the The reported cases of fractal
while they are in contact with a piece transformer, wire, insulators, and burning deaths range from hobbyist
of wood. An electrolyte (a solution that other components used to construct a woodworkers through experienced
conducts electricity) is often placed on Lichtenberg burner also contribute to woodworkers to an electrician with
the wood to help the electricity move the risks of using it if they are not many years experience working with
between the two electrodes. The properly rated. Simply getting a electricity.
electricity seeks the path of least Lichtenberg burner with very low “It only takes one small mistake and
resistance while generating heat amperage and made from correctly you are dead; not injured, dead,”
along the wood surface and between rated, quality components may not be Baker noted. “Some of those who died
the electrodes, burning the wood as it sufficient to protect the user. Even were experienced at using the process
goes. low-amperage current can stop a and some were not. What is common
Electrocution happens when high- beating heart if it passes through at to all of them: fractal burning killed
voltage electricity enters through any the wrong moment. If the burner is them.”
part of the body, passes across the capable of burning Lichtenberg Source: American Association of
heart, and then exits the body. If you figures in wood, it is capable of Woodworkers
12 Rural Electric NebraskanCOLD-CAST BRONZE
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Seek Summer savings
through energy
efficiency upgrades
Making slight modifications to your family’s routine
that can help identify and achieve opportunities for
savings while keeping your home more comfortable
throughout the summer cooling season ahead.
f May’s warmer weather has you much as 20%. Making sure systems
I thinking about the sultry
summer months ahead, this
could be a great time to consider
are appropriately sized can also
improve performance.
Consider replacing systems that
energy-saving options and making are more than 10 years old (or those
plans to help control your energy that no longer keep your home
costs. comfortable) with a high-efficiency
There’s a combination of things system that is properly sized and
you can do yourself, like making designed to meet your needs.
slight modifications to your family’s
routine. Gain Insight from Energy Audits
Sometimes it pays to get the big
HVAC Tune Up picture, so when it comes to energy
When it comes to heating, ventilation efficiency and getting real value for
and air conditioning equipment, your home improvement dollars,
spending a few dollars at the professional advice is a good place to
beginning of the season can add up start.
to big savings and help you avoid Your local public power district or
expensive surprises and system electric cooperative may be able to
failures. recommend professionally trained which can degrade HVAC
A qualified service technician with energy advisors who can conduct performance.
the right skills and equipment will comprehensive assessments and According to the DOE’s Energy
check key components like the provide recommendations that could Information Administration, a
compressor and condenser, clean the help you control energy costs and professional energy auditor will
coils and inspect the ductwork. A improve comfort. review monthly, seasonal and annual
technician may also offer advice on Energy audits include examination energy bills, consider household
the how to get the most value out of of heating, cooling and water heating occupancy patterns, and examine
your programmable thermostat. equipment, as well as interior and condition, age and use of appliances
According to experts with the exterior lighting. Other available and other electronics.
EnergyStar program, sealing and services can include inspections and An analysis developed from the
insulating ductwork can improve the assessments of windows, crawl collected information can help
overall efficiency of your HVAC by as spaces and other voids for air leaks, determine a series of
14 Rural Electric NebraskanDuring summer months,
consider using smaller
appliances like a slow cooker
to eliminate heat gain in the
kitchen. Photograph by Scott
Van Osdol
recommendations that, if Open doors don’t just allow people from cooking outdoors and fire up the
accomplished, can produce savings. to come and go. They also provide an grill.
Homeowners can then decide which instant exchange of cooler inside air Ceiling fans operating in air-
measures fit into their budgets or for warm, moist air, much the same as conditioned space can make you feel
schedules as they consider the cooling effect you experience when about 4 degrees cooler while you are
improvement projects. standing in front of an open in the room. But the benefits only
refrigerator. A cooler stocked with cold occur when a room is occupied. Make
Small Changes Add Savings drinks and chilled snacks and placed it a habit to turn off the fan when you
When the goal is keeping the house outdoors can help cut down on leave the room.
cool and comfortable, remembering household traffic on hot summer days.
that any activities adding heat and When cooking, consider using
humidity to your air-conditioned smaller appliances like a slow cooker
spaces can increase your costs. – or better yet, take the extra heat
May 2020 15CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS
5 steps to a clear decision on new windows frames don’t have a thermal break,
they can lose heat and cause
condensation. Wood windows offer
by Pat Keegan
high quality – but the biggest
drawbacks are the price and
maintenance requirements. There
are wood options with vinyl cladding
that never need painting. Fiberglass
Q :question
Thanks for
last
answering my
month about
decreasing window area can impact
heating and cooling costs. and composite windows are a newer
replacing older windows. Clearly 2. What is your type? Do you option that fall between vinyl and
there are benefits in addition to want fixed-pane units that don’t wood in quality and price.
energy savings, so we’ve decided to open at all? Or casement windows Also, you may be able to save
go ahead with replacing our that open with a crank? How about money by not doing a full window
windows. Can you offer any tips on sliders, or double-hung windows that replacement. If your existing frames
deciding which new windows to open from the top and bottom? and sills are free of rot and in good
purchase? Maybe awning-style options that condition, and you aren’t looking to
open out from the bottom? A bay make any alterations to the walls
: I’m glad to hear you’re thinking window can add extra space and around them, you could look into
A this through. Here are five tips light. There are so many options that replacing the glass and keeping the
I’ll offer as you think about the types can fit many different situations. I existing frames.
of new windows you should recommend a thorough search 4. Glass assemblies. Single-pane
purchase. online, or visit a local window store windows no longer meet building
1. Think beyond windows. to see examples of these styles. codes. Your two choices are double-
Sometimes home improvement and triple-pane. An add-on that is
projects can grow into something often well worth the price is a low-E
bigger. And that’s not necessarily a coating that reflects heat back into
bad thing. There are advantages to the room. You can also boost energy
replacing windows and siding at the efficiency with windows that have
same time, for example. You could either Argon or CO2 gas between the
consider adding rigid foam panes.
insulation to the exterior wall before 5. Compare the numbers.
installing siding. You could also Fortunately, there’s an easy way to
pump some additional insulation compare the efficiency of windows.
into the wall cavities. These Almost all windows are
measures will reduce heat loss independently tested and rated by
through the wall and make your the National Fenestration Rating
home more comfortable. Another Council (NFRC). The most important
Outward-opening casement
advantage of replacing siding as you number on the NFRC label is the U-
windows like these give this room a
replace windows is to make it easier factor. The lower the U-factor, the
classic charm. Photograph provided
to install flashing around the more efficient the window is. It’s best
by The Sash Window Workshop
window. Flashing is what prevents if the window has an EnergyStar
water from making its way into the label, but the NFRC label will tell
wall from the outside. 3. Frame the issues. If the you which EnergyStar window is
Are you replacing doors, too? number of styles wasn’t bewildering more efficient.
Maybe you’d like to reduce or enough, now you get to choose the I hope these tips help in the
increase the size of one or more frame and sash (the inner frame that decision of choosing your new
windows. A larger window can let in holds the glass). Vinyl is the least windows. Remember, you’ll have to
more light and transform a room. A expensive and most common option; live with them for several years, so
smaller window that lets in less it can also be quite energy efficient be sure to do your research and
sunshine can make a room less likely and does not require painting. Vinyl consider all options. And because
to overheat in the summer. frames vary greatly in quality and new window installation is a
Remember that high-efficiency the less expensive models may be complicated process, it’s best to have
windows are less efficient than a susceptible to warping. Aluminum is them installed by a qualified
well-insulated wall, so increasing or an affordable option, but if the professional with solid references.
16 Rural Electric NebraskanCelebrate electrical safety month in May
P
ublic power districts and line. In essence, when you step out of While you may be concerned about
electric cooperatives’ top the car, you become part of the injuries to those involved, the best
priority is always to provide electricity’s path to the ground and action you can take is to alert
safe, reliable, affordable energy to could be electrocuted. It’s critical to emergency officials, who will in turn
their consumers. Your well-being and stay in the vehicle and tell others to coordinate with the power provider.
that of the larger communities we do the same until emergency crews For the same reasons described
serve are of paramount concern. have told you it’s safe to exit the car. above, never drive over a downed
Sometimes we hear about If the vehicle is on fire or you must power line or through water that is
preventable tragedies involving exit for other safety reasons, jump touching a downed power line.
young people and car accidents. This clear of the vehicle. Do not let any If you have a downed power line on
brings up the topic at hand: safety. part of your body or clothing touch the your property as a result of a falling
Does your teen or loved one know vehicle and ground at the same time. tree, storm or other circumstance, do
what to do in the event of a collision Land with your feet together and not go near the power line. Assume
with a utility pole resulting in a shuffle away (in small steps with your that the downed line is energized and
downed power line? Do your loved feet still together) to avoid electric dangerous. Never try to move the
ones know what to do if they come shock. Keep moving away until you power line even if you think it’s not
upon an accident with a downed are at least 40 feet from the vehicle. energized or if you are using a non-
power line? This month, we’d like to If you come upon a car accident conductive material. We recognize
share a few safety tips that we hope involving a utility pole and downed that you may be anxious to clear your
you never have to use. But if you do, power lines, keep your distance. A property of tree limbs or other debris
they could save their life. downed power line can energize the near the downed line, but please wait
If a car collides with a utility pole, ground up to 35 feet away. While your until after an electric utility crew or
the vehicle may be charged with natural instinct may be to rush to the emergency officials have confirmed
electricity. Anyone exiting the car car to help, instead pause. Do not that it is safe to do so.
could come in contact with thousands approach the car or scene of the
KILL
of volts of electricity from the downed accident. Tell others to stay away.
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May 2020 17The value of the electric grid in Nebraska
he discovery of electricity is regarded as one of the fields. Some electricity comes from decentralized sources,
T greatest achievements of all time. Electricity is
the backbone of our current modern-day society
and people around the world depend on it every single
which is called distributed generation. Consumers can
use the energy that they generate themselves, for
example, energy from solar panels on their roofs.
day. Typically, this is not enough energy to power an entire
We may see electricity as something that is always home, but for those who want cleaner energy or an
present now, but the current infrastructure of today’s alternative energy source to the grid, this is a great option
electric grid took a lot of coordination, investment and to supplement.
efforts. Although the electric grid itself is complex, the There are several aspects of the grid that keep evolving
process of delivering power to consumers isn’t difficult to by use of new innovative technologies. One aspect is
understand. Here’s how electricity is sent from the energy storage, which helps to reduce power outages by
electric grid to your home or business. storing excess energy to use later as needed, especially
The first step is to generate the electricity itself, which energy from renewable sources. Another innovation is the
can be done using several different types of energy. There microgrid. Microgrids are disconnected from the larger
are non-renewable energy sources, like coal or natural grid and can still supply electricity when the energy from
gas, and there are also renewable energy sources, like the main electric grid is unavailable. Another aspect is
solar power, wind power or hydropower. The generation the smart meter, which allows for two-way
infrastructure depends on the type of energy being used, communication between the end-user and the utility.
such as a power plant for natural gas, a dam for Smart meters can alert the utility if there is a power
hydropower or a large array of solar panels. As generation disruption for a specific consumer. Two-way
technology has evolved over the last decade, solar power communication helps to better generate, store and
and wind power are playing a larger role in the consume power between the consumer and the utility. All
generation mix than ever before. of these new technologies are contributing to a “smarter”
The next step is to carry the generated energy through grid that helps reduce power outages, and many advances
transmission lines. High-voltage transmission lines are are still on the way.
the first phase in delivering electricity, and they help to We often take for granted the availability of electricity
move large amounts of energy from the generation source around us, but without electricity, we would lose a great
to more populated areas. Through transformers located deal of value in our lives. Because of the electric grid, we
at a distribution substation, the electricity is carried from can light our homes after the sun goes down, power our
transmission lines to distribution power lines. smart phones, keep our food refrigerated – and so much
Distribution lines carry electricity to businesses, more. We tend to only notice electricity when it is missing
neighborhoods and individual homes, where it is ready to and can no longer complete our daily tasks. But when
be used by consumers. we’re more aware of how we receive our electricity, we can
But not all energy comes from large power plants or all appreciate the electric grid much more.
18 Rural Electric Nebraskan“To you, it’s the perfect lift chair.
To me, it’s the best sleep chair I’ve ever had.”
— J. Fitzgerald, VA
NEW
Footrest extension
for better support
head to toe
You can’t always lie down in bed and sleep. with correct spinal alignment and promotes back
Heartburn, cardiac problems, hip or back pressure relief, to prevent back and muscle pain.
aches – and dozens of other ailments and The overstuffed, oversized biscuit style back and
worries. Those are the nights you’d give anything unique seat design will cradle you in comfort.
for a comfortable chair to sleep in: one that Generously filled, wide armrests provide enhanced
reclines to exactly the right degree, raises your feet arm support when sitting or reclining. It even has
and legs just where you want them, supports your a battery backup in case of a power outage.
head and shoulders properly, and operates at the White glove delivery included in shipping
touch of a button. charge. Professionals will deliver the chair to
Our Perfect Sleep Chair® does all that and the exact spot in your home where you want it,
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© 2020 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.Down Home Recipes
Brunch ideas with an original farm-to-table ingredient
B
runch with family and friends
can be a treat any time of the
year, but spring’s fresh,
seasonal ingredients and warmer
days practically beg loved ones to
gather for the morning meal.
These cute, kid-friendly Bunny
Oatmeal and Easy Egg Casserole
recipes are simple and made with
real foods like milk, bringing
richness and flavor, and ingredients
you can feel good serving to kids.
Whether it’s skim milk for lighter
lattes with friends, 2% milk to wash
down birthday cake or strawberry
milk for a sweet celebration
surrounding the game-winning goal,
milk’s already a part of the foods –
and meaningful moments – that
matter.
For more kid-friendly, seasonal
recipe ideas, visit milklife.com
Bunny Oatmeal
1/3 cup instant oats
3/4 cup fat-free milk
Cut banana in half crosswise. Cut
Fun Cow Facts
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/8-inch thick coin slice from flat
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
A cow produces an average ends of each banana half. Place two
1 teaspoon brown sugar
of 6.3 gallons of milk daily banana slices in upper third of
2/3 small banana
and 350,000 glasses of milk oatmeal bowl, side by side, to make
2 fresh blueberries
in a lifetime. eyes. Top each banana slice with one
1/2 small strawberry
Farmers measure milk in blueberry.
chocolate syrup (optional)
pounds, not gallons. Place remaining banana halves at
1 glass milk (8 ounces)
A cow will produce an top of bowl, hanging out, to create
average of 6.3 gallons of milk ears.
each day. That’s more than Place strawberry in middle of bowl
2,300 gallons each year! In microwave-safe bowl, stir oats, to make nose then drizzle chocolate,
By Farm Flavor milk, cinnamon, vanilla and brown if desired, to make mouth and
sugar. Microwave on high 30-60 whiskers.
seconds and stir.
20 Rural Electric NebraskanReader Submitted Recipes
Beef Party
Slice 3 pound cold, cooked roast beef
Arrange in layer in an 8x8” baking dish, salt
Combine:
1 can beef consommé
2 tablespoons steak sauce
1/3 cup honey
1 1/3 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
Pour over beef and cover. Refrigerate overnight or freeze. Bake covered 1 hour
at 325 degrees.
Sally Hosier, Holdrege, Nebraska
Easy Egg Bake
Casserole Banana Bread
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. Calumet Baking Powder
Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup lean ham, cubed 1 package (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup frozen seasoned 1/4 cup butter, softened
potatoes with fresh onions 1 cup sugar
and peppers 1 cup mashed fully ripe bananas (about 3)
3/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped 2 eggs
1/2 cup low-fat cheddar or Swiss
cheese, shredded
Heat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda. Beat cream
6 eggs
cheese, butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add bananas and
3/4 cup fat-free milk
eggs; mix well. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir
1 glass milk (8 ounces)
in nuts. Pour into greased and floured 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake 1 hour 10 min. or
until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 min. Remove from pan
to wire rack; cool completely.
Heat oven to 375 F. Lightly coat 8-
Cindy Allgood, Lincoln, Nebraska
by-8-inch casserole dish with nonstick
cooking spray. In bottom of casserole
Pistachio Éclair Dessert
dish, arrange ham, potatoes, spinach
and cheese.
In large bowl, beat eggs and milk. 3 cups cold whole milk
Pour mixture over ingredients in 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant French vanilla pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
casserole dish. Bake 25-30 minutes, or
1 package (14.4 ounces) graham crackers
until lightly browned and puffed.
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
Serve with 8-ounce glass of real
milk for added nutrition.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped
topping. In a 13-in. x 9-in. dish, layer a third of the graham crackers and half of
the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining graham crackers.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Spoon frosting into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover
and microwave on high for 15-20 seconds or until softened, stirring once. Spread
over graham crackers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or until
frosting is set. Note: To make Cheese cake éclair dessert, You can change this up
by using 2 package of vanilla pudding instead of 1 pistachio and 1 vanilla. And for
the topping use cherry pie filling or strawberry pie filling.
Audrey Kaser, Pender, Nebraska
May 2020 21You can also read
