News & ViewsA M O N T H LY P U B L I C AT I O N F O R M E M B E R S O F H E N D R I C K S P O W E R C O O P E R AT I V E

Calendar of Events

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9V O L 1 2 | I S S U E 1 1

The holiday season is right around the corner. For many of us, the last few months of the year are a blur between holiday gatherings, cooking, shopping; the list goes on and on. For some in Hendricks County, the holiday season isn’t nearly as busy. Many residents don’t have the opportunity to see family, attend holiday celebrations, or receive a single holiday gift.

That’s why Mental Health America of Hendricks County oversees its annual holiday Gift Lift for residents residing in assisted living homes or struggling with intellectual disabilities or mental illness. Gift Lift collects gift donations for local residents that other-wise may not receive a gift for the holidays. Last year alone, they were able to distribute gifts to more than 800 residents at nursing homes throughout the county, patients at Cummins Behavioral Health Services, and residents of Cypress Manor.

This year, Hendricks Power wants to help by serving as a collection site for donations! November 18 - December 13, we will be accepting donations at our office at 86 N CR 500 E Avon, IN. If you have any questions, please refer to our website at www.hendrick-spower.com.

Priority donations include unused:

- Warm Socks

- Puzzle Books (large print)

- Lap Blankets

- 2020 Calendars (large print)

- Sugar-Free Candy

- Hygiene Items Please no glass, razors, or loofahs.

N O V E M B E R 3D a y l i g h t S a v i n g s T i m e E n d s

N O V E M B E R 5M u n i c i p a l G e n e r a l E l e c t i o n sL e a r n m o r e a t : c o . h e n d r i c k s . i n . g o v

N O V E M B E R 9H o l i d a y C r a f t S h o wH e n d r i c k s C o F a i r g r o u n d s , 9 a m - 4 p mS u p p o r t l o c a l v e n d o r s a n d g e t s o m e h o l i d ay s h o p p i n g d o n e ! L e a r n m o r e a t : 4 h c o m p l e x . o r g

N O V E M B E R 1 1Ve t e r a n s D a y

N O V E M B E R 1 8N a t u r e S c a v e n g e r H u n tA r b u c k l e A c r e s , 1 0 - 1 1 a mE n j o y t h i s f r e e n a t u r e h i k e w i t h t h e f a m i l y ( a g e s 6 + ) to l e a r n m o r e a b o u t w i n te r w i l d l i f e . R e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u e s te d .L e a r n m o r e a t : h e n d r i c k s c o u n t y p a r k s . o r g

N O V E M B E R 2 3 & 2 4B e a s l e y ’ s C h r i s t m a sB e a s l e y ’ s O r c h a r d , 1 0 a m - 4 p mS t a r t t h e h o l i d ay s e a s o n o f f r i g h t ! G e t p h o to s w i t h S a n t a , d o s o m e h o l i d ay s h o p p i n g a n d b e m e r r y !L e a r n m o r e a t : b e a s l e y s - o r c h a r d . c o m

N O V E M B E R 2 8T h a n k s g i v i n g D a yP l e a s e n o te , o u r o f f i c e w i l l b e c l o s e d t h e 2 8 & 2 9 .

AROUND TOWN

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY

h e n d r i c k s p o w e r . c o m

P O B o x 3 0 9D a n v i l l e , I N 4 6 1 2 2

h p c @ h e n d r i c k s p o w e r . c o m3 1 7- 74 5 - 5 4 7 3

Making Spirits Bright

NOVEMBER 2019

What’s Inside:Making Spirits Bright pg 1

Ask the Advisor:Why is Heat more Expensive than A/C? pg 3

Co-Op Community Daypg 2

Prepping your Home for Winterpg 3

Donate for\

F RE E Christmas Lights!

Donate 2+ items

for a free strand

of LE D Christmas

lights!\

Additional non-perishable food and house-hold items are also needed, see full list at

hendrickspower.com

Donate for\

F RE E Christmas Lights!

CO-OP COMMUNITY DAY 2019 ASK THE ADVISOR

Ask the Advisor: Heating vs A/C Costs

Q: Why is heating my home in the winter more expensive than cooling it in the summer months?

Each month we’ll be giving you, our members, the opportunity to ask our Energy Advisors a question! Whether it’s about energy efficiency, smart home technology, or suggestions on making home improvements, be sure to ask us! To submit your question, email Emily at ehammell@hendrickspower.com or contact us through our social media!

- Tom , P ittsboro

Steve Hite Energy Services Supervisor

A: Tom, we get this question a lot on our energy audits. The answer is actually easier than you would think! Keeping in mind usage depends on many variables, including age and efficiency of your system, and heat source, you’re paying for the difference between the temperature your thermostat is set at and the tempera-ture outdoors. We call this number the Delta Difference.

For example, if it’s a warm summer day, let’s say 90 degrees, and you have your thermostat set to 70 degrees, there’s a 20 degree difference your HVAC system is working to produce. During winter months, lets say it’s 25 degrees outside, and your thermostat is set at that same 70 degrees, the Delta Difference is 45 degrees, nearly double the summer usage!

As temps cool down, now is the time to schedule your free, custom Energy Audit. Give us a call or visit us online at www.hendrickspower.com

Co-op Community Day! Hendricks Power participates in annual Co-op Community Day to benefit Sycamore Services, Inc.

Each year, Hendricks Power and other electric co-ops across Indiana participate in Co-op Community Day. This day provides the coop-eratives an opportunity to use our time, skills and expertise to make a positive impact in the community we serve. This year, Hendricks Power’s volunteer efforts benefited Sycamore Services, Inc. Sycamore Services provides individualized services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental abilities.

Our Hendricks Power volunteers constructed a gazebo and provided landscaping at the Sycamore Services Annex location, which will serve as its first addition to its sensory garden. Long-term plans for the garden include hillside walkways with viewing platforms and extensive plantings and garden art to enhance the space. If you are interested in future projects with Sycamore Services or would like to volunteer, contact Aimee Ketterer at alketterer@sycamoreservices.com.

SURVEY

We Need Your Feedback! From September 2019 through January 2020, we will be conducting a survey of residential co-op members. Co-op members will be randomly selected to participate in a 10-12 minute telephone survey, conducted by Oppenheim Research . The survey will primarily focus on the appli-ances and items in and around your home that consume electricity so our power supplier can determine how much power we will need in the upcoming years.

The calls will take place Monday through Friday, beginning mid-after-noon and running until about 9:00 pm. If you are called and don’t wish to participate, you will not be pressured to do so. We greatly appreciate those who do take the time to help us plan better for the future!

If you have any questions about the process, please call the office at 317-745-5473

Prepping Your Home for Cooler Temps After a lenghty and hot summer, the weather is finally cooling down and autumn is here. Now that that weather is more mild, it’s the perfect time to make some last-minute home improvements before the chill of winter sets in that will help lower those heating bills.

Here are a few to consider!

Tackling DIY Projects: You can take advantage of the warmer weather and longer sunlight hours. Fortunately, the most intense heat is (likely) past, making it more comfortable to be working on your home to-do list. If there is a project

you’ve been meaning to tackle, there’s no time like the present. And if you’re looking for inspiration on some energy efficiency projects that can lower your home’s energy use, we have ideas at www.

PowerMoves.com to get you started.

HVAC Inspection: Enjoy those open windows while you can! Although it may be tempting, don’t forget about your HVAC system! It won’t be long before you’ll be reaching for your thermostat to turn on the

heat. To make sure your system is running efficiently, schedule an inspection and tune up.

Check & Seal Air Leaks: People frequently think that drafty windows are the reason that their homes are expensive to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. Most of the time, air leaks at

the top and bottom of the home are the culprit, letting treated air escape the house while at the same time bringing in unwanted outdoor air. You can check on common air leak sources, such as gaps near

plumbing stacks and ductwork. Don’t make your HVAC system work harder than it has to!

Consider a Home Energy Audit: If you want a deeper dive into energy use (and waste), consider an energy audit. This will include an in-depth analysis of your home’s energy consumption, a blower

door test, and actionable steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Taking those steps will help reduce your home’s energy use, helping to save money on your monthly energy bill.

Taking steps now can prepare your home for the bitter winter temperatures. You can help mini-mize your energy costs, and taking care of any HVAC issues now will lower the risk of your

system breaking down and needing emergency repairs. You also can contact your local electric cooperative’s energy advisor for information about scheduling a home

energy audit, and you can get more energy efficiency ideas at www. PowerMoves.com.