AUGUST 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 19

HANCOCK-WOOD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MEMBER CONNECTIONS

IN T

HIS

ISSU

E Kids learn about electric energy

2016 Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C.

Business Member earns rebate

1399 Business Park Drive South, P. O. Box 190, North Baltimore, OH 45872 • www.hwe.coop • info@hwe.coop • 800-445-4840

A NEW RESOURCE FOR MEMBERS Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, is excited to announce the new Member Handbook. The handbook is filled with detailed information that

is most important to our Membership. Members can find everything from outage specifics to how their electric rate is determined and how to apply for our outstanding rebate programs. Other content in this valuable new resource include how Members can save energy, what to do before digging, electric safety tips, and more.

Keeping our Members knowledgable with the most accurate information available through a variety of platforms — such as this newsletter, Member Connections, is one of Hancock-Wood’s top priority.

Other forms of communication includes our e-mail alerts, website, and social media. However, we thought it would be beneficial to our Members if they had an all-in-one resource they could

reference for any questions about Hancock-Wood. So stop by

our office today to pick up your own copy

of the Member Handbook. It is

also available for download

at hwe.coop/about-hwec/member-handbook.

HWE - a powerful value for 78 years.

George Walton, Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative President and CEO

NOTICE: Hancock-Wood’s office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day.

SIGN UP FOR THE CARDINAL PLANT TOUR Do you ever wonder where your power comes from or how the use of coal — and your energy bill — is being affected by the Clean Power Plan? On Thursday, Sept. 29, Hancock-Wood will host a group of Members on a tour of the Cardinal Generating Station in Brilliant, near Steubenville in eastern Ohio. This is the coal-fired power station that provides electricity for Members of Ohio electric cooperatives. An air-conditioned coach will depart from Hancock-Wood’s office at 7 a.m. for a four-hour scenic drive through mid-Ohio and Amish Country to arrive at the plant around 1 p.m., when the tour begins. There will be a stop along the way with lunch provided. Please note a significant amount of walking is involved. The cost of the trip is $60, due on the day of the trip.

If you are interested in joining us on this great tour of the plant that powers your co-op, call 800-445-4840 or e-mail us at info@hwe.coop by Aug. 5.

Join us for a tour of the Cardinal Generating Station in Brilliant, Ohio, on Sept. 29. Call 800-445-4840 for more information.

COOL SUMMER COLORS CAPTURED

This photo of Hancock-Wood linemen working against a vibrant night sky was captured in June by lineman Mark Mareches.

LEARN WHERE YOUR POWER IS GENERATED ON SEPT. 5!

20 COUNTRY LIVING • AUGUST 2016

MEMBER CONNECTIONS

When I visit Members’ homes for energy audits, quite often I get asked how long specific appliances should last. The National Association of Home Builders has completed a study of the life expectancy of home components, and I compiled a list of items I get asked about the most.

• Windows, Wood 30 years• Windows, Aluminum 20 years• Exterior Doors 20 to 40 years based on type• Water Heater 11 years• Furnace 18 years• Air Conditioner 15 years• Refrigerator 13 years• Clothes Dryer 13 years• Dehumidifier 8 years• Dishwasher 9 years• Microwave Oven 9 years

The study emphasized that the operational life expectancy of these items can be greatly affected by the quality of installation, maintenance, and frequency of use.

Visit hwe.coop/save-energy/rebates for the current rebate offerings to see if we can help with energy savings when you decide it is time to update products in your home. If you have further questions or would like a FREE in-home energy audit please contact me at bruce@hwe.coop or 419-257-5025.

Bruce Warnecke is a certified commercial energy auditor with an applied business degree from Lima Technical College and universal EPA refrigerant certification. He is a Trane Service One graduate and is an HVAC specialist with more than 21 years of experience.

THINK ENERGY $MART WITH BRUCE

Bruce Warnecke

This year, Hancock-Wood selected Logan Kreinbrink of

Leipsic and Ryan Wenzinger of Deshler as our Youth Tour delegates. Coincidentally, both boys’ older sisters, Emily Kreinbrink and Rachel Wenzinger, earned a chance on Youth Tour together in 2014.

Logan and Ryan were among 34 high school students from across Ohio who visited Washington, D.C., June 10 to 16 as part of the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour to the nation’s capital. The week-long trip included a visit to the U.S. Capitol and other areas of historical significance. Each spring, Hancock-Wood sponsors two students for the tour. Students learn about our government and how regulations affect rural electric cooperatives while visiting the historic and cultural sights.

Logan and Emily are the children of Jeffrey and Denise Kreinbrink, and Ryan and Rachel are the children of Russell and Renee Wenzinger.

The Youth Tour is an annual opportunity for more than 1,600 high school students from across the nation to represent their electric co-ops at our nation’s capital.

To learn more about the program, visit hwe.coop/community-involvement/youth-tour-program.

Logan Kreinbrink and Ryan Wenzinger enjoy a weeklong trip to Washington D.C.

YOUTH TOUR BECOMES RELATIVE

Emily Kreinbrink and Rachel Wenzinger, sisters of Logan and Ryan, were HWE’s 2014 delegates.

MEMBER BENEFIT: CO-OP CONNECTIONS CARD

The Hancock-Wood Co-op Connections® Card gives our Members access to many local and national discounts.

Visit connections.coop to register your card and learn more.

AUGUST 2016 • COUNTRY LIVING 21

HANCOCK-WOOD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Tom Kagy, Vice Chair Dave Corbin,Secretary/Treasurer Tom Dierksheide, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Marlene Barker, and trustees James Demler, John Edie, Edward Ingold, Knut Lahrs, Glen Miller, and Timothy Phillips.

HWE 2016 REBUILD PROGRAM UPDATEIn August, Hancock- Wood plans to rebuild three-phase lines along SR 37 TR 149 and TR 150 in Delaware Township, Hancock County. Single-

phase lines will be rebuilt along Hoytville, Milton, Freyman, Liberty Hi, and Jerry City roads in Henry Township, Wood County. Hancock-Wood will continue work at the Fostoria substation rebuild project in Washington Township, Hancock County.

For more information about the rebuild program, visit hwe.coop/construction-corner.

Visit Hancock-Wood’s website, hwe.coop, to sign up for e-mail alerts, news and more to enter to win a quarterly drawing for $300 off your next electric bill. Click on Members

Connect to complete the form.

WIN $300 OFF YOUR ENERGY BILL

BUSINESS MEMBERS SAVE WITH REBATES

In June, Hancock-Wood commercial

Member Keystone Foods of North Baltimore received a rebate check of $5,000 for reducing wattage by installing LED lights at its facility. Keystone Foods is a leading supplier of protein products to major chain restaurants, food service providers, and retail outlets around the world. The rebate is facilitated by HWE and funded through Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, HWE’s power supplier and statewide services organization.

To apply for a Hancock-Wood business lighting rebate, contact Energy Services Advisor Bruce Warnecke at bruce@hwe.coop or 419-257-5025.

From left, General Manager Tim Hadding, Engineering Manager Mark Cheney, and Hancock-Wood Energy Services Advisor Bruce Warnecke.

In June, Hancock-Wood Employees

attended the Hancock Historical Society’s summer camp for kids, “May the Forces of Energy be with You.” At the camp, kids learned a little bit about how electric cooperatives operate and learned to power electronic gadgets with their own strength on an energy bike.

Hancock-Wood is always looking for ways to help the community with energy savings. If your school or group is interested in an energy bike demonstration, contact Energy Services Advisor Bruce Warnecke at bruce@hwe.coop or 419-257-5025.

UPDATE ON OURSOLAR PROGRAM

You may have heard about OurSolar, the new community solar program offered by Hancock-Wood. Originally an earlier project start time in late

summer was assumed; however, due to material delays, the project has now been pushed back and is expected to start in late fall. Hancock-Wood will continue to keep Members updated on this venture as we get more details.

The OurSolar allows Members the option to purchase a subscription to panels at a new solar array to be located at the corner of US 224 and TR 215 in Findlay. Members can subscribe to up to 10 panels at a cost of less than $2 per month, per panel. If you are interested in this program, please contact us at 800-445-4840 or download the form at hwe.coop/residential/oursolar-community-solar-project.

THE ENERGY BIKE SPARKS LEARNING

22 COUNTRY LIVING • AUGUST 2016

HANCOCK-WOOD ELECTRIC COOPERATIVEKIDS CONNECTIONS

Recycling is important for the future of our planet! Can you sort the items below into the correct bin? Write the name of the item in the correct category.

Did you know Hancock-Wood gets part of its energy generation from the bio mass landfill in Hancock County? Learn more in our Member Handbook on page 21.

Answer Key: RECYCLE: Water Bottle, Cardboard Box, Juice Box, Soda Can, Newspaper GARBAGE: Apple, Sandwich, Styrofoam Cup

RECYCLE GARBAGE

Water Bottle Apple Cardboard Box Sandwich Juice Box Soda Newspaper Styrofoam Cup