Download pdf - in the spotlight - Co-op Web Builder 3jacksonremc.coopwebbuilder2.com/sites/jacksonremc/files/... · 2012. 11. 20. · Brian and Tammy Covert and sons have settled into their new

November 2012 - Volume 7, Number 5

Watt High Lights

Touchstone Energy Homes® in the spotlightsee pages 6 & 7

Page 2 - November 2012

Watt High Lights - (USPS 669-580) is published monthly for $3.00 per year (electric rates include subscription) by Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, a consumer owned utility, 274 E. Base Road, Brownstown, Indiana 47220. Periodicals postage paid at Brownstown, Indiana. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Watt High Lights, P.O. Box K, Brownstown, Indiana 47220.

Happier holidays when you use energy wisely

Watt High LightsJackson County Rural Electric

Membership Corporation274 E. Base Road (Venus Road)

P.O. Box KBrownstown, IN 47220-0311Local calls - 812-358-4458

Toll free - 800-288-4458FAX only - 812-358-5719

E-mail - [email protected] site - www.jacksonremc.com

Pay bills online - visit our website (above)Pay bills by phone - 1-888-999-8816

Office Hours7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Monday through FridayTo report outages or emergencies

358-4458 (local) or toll free 1-800-288-4458 day or night

Board of DirectorsPresident John Trinkle - district 3

Vice-President Earl Pottschmidt - district 8Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Kelley - district 5

John Hackman - district 1Walter Hunter - district 2

Paul Elliott - district 4Mark Trisler - district 6

Richard Lambring - district 7John Miller - district 9

OUR COVER

Brian and Tammy Covert and sons have settled into their new Touchstone Energy certi-fied home near Vallonia in rural Jackson County. Learn more about this and other Touchstone Energy homes on pages 6 & 7.

The holidays are here, and it’s tempting to take a break from energy efficiency to eat, drink and be merry! While it’s a sea-son of wonder and joy, it’s also a time to use energy wisely and Team Up To Power Down. As you decorate your home and entertain your guests, consider these energy tips that will help save extra dollars for holiday gifts.

Equally important, on the coldest days of winter, do what you can to avoid running appliances such as dishwashers and clothes dryers during early mornings (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) and evenings (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) By shifting usage away from peak times, you help even out the demand for electricity, hold down the cost of power, and delay the next power plant investment.

You might also consider purchasing gifts that promote energy efficiency. For example, look for entertainment systems and ap-pliances that have the Energy Star® label. You can learn more ways to save energy and money on Facebook at Team Up To Power Down, and on the Web at TogetherWeSave.com and EnergyStar.com.

Holiday Energy Tips

Decorate with energy-efficient LED holiday lights. Use a timer to limit the hours of holiday lighting. Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. Wash full loads of laundry in cold water. Run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher. Encourage short showers instead of baths.

November 2012 - Page 3

Visit us online at www.jacksonremc.com

Notice of tariff modification for the purchase of members’

excess renewable generationEffective December 1, 2012, Jackson County REMC’s Purchase Offer ”R” for the purchase of power from customer-owned renewable generation will be modified so that REMC will begin paying the highest wholesale energy rate that is applicable monthly for all excess gen-eration. Consequently, amounts paid will increase in the summer and winter months since rates previously varied by time of day and day of the week.

Consumer surveyplanned in coming months

A short telephone conversation or a few mouse clicks in response to an e-mail can help Jackson County REMC get to know you better.

Information about the types of heating and cooling systems, electronic devices and appliances used by our consumers is helpful as Jackson County REMC develops plans to provide reliable and efficient electric service throughout our communities.

During December 2012 and January and February 2013, a limited number of REMC consumers will be contacted for a telephone or internet survey. The information obtained will help your electric cooperative in planning future power delivery facilities and developing marketing programs that are of value to our customers.

You may be contacted by our survey representative and asked to tell us ways you use electricity and other information that helps us better know, understand and serve our consumers.

Less than 400 Jackson County REMC consumers will be contacted. Service to our members is our number one priority and we ask customers to report any problems related to the survey by calling us at 1-800-288-4458 (toll free long distance) or 358-4458 (local calls).


It’s here!Our new SmartHub enhanced online payment system

We are pleased to announce that SmartHub, our new user-friendly payment and bill management platform, is available 24/7 either by computer or smart phone*.

With SmartHub, you are able to: l Pay your bill immediately l View up to 24 months of billing history l View electricity usage and history l View account information l Receive notifications via email or text messaging l Access social media

If you used the original online bill payment system, you will be able to use the same email address and password to log into the new system. If you are a new user, simply click on the New User link on the start page to sign up.

SmartHub Links: l REMC Website: http://www.jacksonremc.com (look in Payment Services or under the Quick Links) l SmartHub web link: https://jacksonremc.smarthub.coop l iTunes App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/smarthub/id474874963?mt=8 l Android Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=coop.nisc.android.smarthub * Smart phone app for iPhone and Android only.

SmartHub Frequently Asked Questions:l How do I sign up for SmartHub?l Is my phone or tablet supported?l Is the App secure?l What is the difference between the Mobile App and the Web Version of SmartHub?l Do I have to change the way I pay my bill in order to use SmartHub?l I have five accounts. Can I see them all in the App and on the Web?l How do I make a payment?l How current is the account information I see in the App or on the Web?l How do I sign up for notifications and what if I want to receive notifications for multiple accounts?

How do I sign up for SmartHub?Go to https://jacksonremc.smarthub.coop/ and click on the New User link to get started.

Feel free to contact us at 800-288-4458 if you have any additional questions.


Is my phone or tablet supported?Simply search for our SmartHub in the Apple Store® or in the Android® Market. The FREE App is supported on the following platforms: l IOS 3.1 and above (iPhone and/or iPad) l Android 2.1 and above (Smartphones or tablets)

Is the App secure?Yes! All critical information is encrypted in every transaction and no personal information is stored on your mobile device. Mobile devices do offer you the option to store your login information for the App installed on the device. If you choose to store your login information, any person who has access to your mobile device can access your account.

What is the difference between the Mobile App and the Web Version of Smart-Hub?Our Mobile Apps are native applications that can be downloaded and installed on your compatible mobile phone or tablet device. The Web version is internet accessible from any web enabled device. Both the App and the Web versions give you secure access to maintain your contact information, view your bills, see payment history, view energy usage, and to make payments on your account. The Web version allows you to register your account to receive email and/or text notifications about your account such as your bill is available, payment confirmation, and an approaching or missed due date. The Web version also has a My Profile page for you to maintain your password, security pass phrase, contact information, and stored payment methods.

Do I have to change the way I currently pay my bill in order to use SmartHub?No. It is only if you choose to pay your bill online that you would need to utilize SmartHub’s bill payment fea-ture. The other useful features are available to you no matter how you pay your bill.

I have five accounts, can I see them all in the App and on the Web?Yes, the Web version home page will display all of your accounts with the amounts due as well as hyperlinks to other detailed information. On the App, tap the Bill and Pay icon. The total due of all accounts is displayed and you can select different information by account, such as billing history, payment history, and payment op-tions.

How do I make a payment?On the Web version, you can make a payment to a single account or to all accounts by clicking on the Billing & Payments button. To pay the total amount owed on multiple accounts, click the Pay Now button in the upper right corner of the screen or the Make Payment button on the home page. If you are using the App, tap the Bill & Pay gadget and tap the Pay button.

How current is the account information I see in the App or on the Web?The information that you see on the App and on the Web are shown in real-time. However, if you keep your App or the Web version open for an extended period, you should refresh the page in order to ensure the information is current.

How do I sign up for notifications and what if I want to receive notifications for multiple accounts?You must log into the Web and click on Notifications. Select the preferred notification method (Text, Mobile Push, or Email) and fill out the appropriate notification information based on your selection. Click Next to continue, verify the notification parameters, and then confirm. If you have multiple accounts, you will be prompted to indicate which account the notification is for.


Troy and Melissa Thompson built this gorgeous home near Vallonia. Troy is a registered Touchstone Energy Home builder. This home is heated and cooled by two air-to-air heat pumps. The living space is comprised of almost 4,600 square feet and came in on the HERS* rat-ing at 59. Congratulations on your new home!

Liz and Harold Morgan built this 2-1/2 story home with a square footage of almost 4,000. It is heated and cooled by two ef-ficient air-to-air heat pumps. The home rated a 57 on the HERS* index. Congratulations on your new home!

Mark and Helen Ledgerwood worked with Big J Design and Construction on this unique 1,600 square foot home in Salem. The heating and cooling unit is a very efficient air-to-air heat pump. The home rated an 81 on the HERS* index. Congratu-lations on your new home!

Seven more homes certified in theTouchstone Energy Home® program!

* HERS stands for Home En-ergy Rating System. Under this system, the lower the score, the more efficient the home.


These two homes were built as speculative properties by the Jamison Group LLC, located in Scottsburg. The top home is comprised of almost 1,100 square feet and features an efficient heat pump and spray foam insulation. Also included is a solar panel on the garage roof. The home rated a 75 on the HERS* index. The bottom home is comprised of 1,600 square feet and is conditioned by an air-to-air heat pump. The HERS rating came in at 78.

Roger and Linda Pol-lert worked with Runge Construction to build this exquisite home with 5,000 square feet of living space. It is heated and cooled with a geothermal system. This home scored a 39 on the HERS* index. Con-gratulations on your new home!

Brian and Tammi Covert hired EP Construc-tion to build this beautiful ranch style home. The living space reaches almost 5,000 square feet and utilizes a geothermal system for their heating and cooling. The home scored a 39 on the HERS* rating index. Congratulations on your new, very efficient home! The Covert home is featured on the front cover of this issue of “Watt High Lights.”

* HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. Under this sys-tem, the lower the score, the more efficient the home.


Holiday spiced tea (16 servings)12 cups water, divided use 1-1/4 cups Splenda® No Calorie Sweetener, 6 tea bags granulated4 cinnamon sticks 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate2 teaspoons whole cloves 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Bring 8 cups water to a boil. Pour over tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing gently. Stir in Splenda®, orange juice, and lemon juice. Combine remaining 4 cups water, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into tea mixture, discarding spices. Pour into mugs and serve tea hot. Garnish with lemon slices, orange slices, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, if desired. Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories: 30; total fat: 0g; cholesterol: 0mg; sodium: 5mg; total carbs: 8g; dietary fiber: 1g; sugars: 7g; protein: 0g

Chicken, potato & vegetable bake for 22 small boneless skinless chicken 1/4 cup chopped onion breast halves 1 carrot, coarsely chopped1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes, 1/4 cup light Italian dressing peeled & cubed 2 teaspoons grated Parmesean cheese

Heat oven to 400°F. Place chicken and vegetables in small baking dish; drizzle with dressing. Bake 1 hour or until chicken is done (165ºF). Sprinkle with cheese.Nutritional Information (per serving) 70 calories; 5g total fat; 1.5g saturated fat; 0g trans fat; 70mg cholesterol; 590mg sodium; 27g carbohydrates; 3g dietary fiber; 6g sugars; 28g protein Exchange: 1-1/2 Starch; 1 Vegetable; 3 Meat (L); Carb choices: 2

Food for healthNational DiabetesAwareness Month

by Betty BauteMember Services Representative

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 18.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes --- and I am one of them. There are also approximately 7 million Americans with undiagnosed diabe-tes, and 79 million who are considered to be pre-diabetic.

With the help of a good doctor and health coaches, living with diabetes can be easy --- and tasty. Setting up a diet plan with a qualified dietician is the first step in getting one’s blood sugar under control.

The American Diabetes Associa-tion’s website (www.diabetes.org) of-fers great information on diabetes and has recipes with nutritional information available at the click of a mouse. The recipes I’m sharing this month are three tried-and-true goodies that I gleaned from the ADA website. Why not log onto the site and find some new favorites --- whether you have diabetes or not!

Coming Up:Holiday sweets

& treats

It’s hard to come up with special holiday goodies when it’s just the two of you. While it’s okay to make a regular batch of something and then freeze the leftovers, it’s also nice to be able to make something fresh to enjoy. Next month we’ll include some “holiday” special recipes that will make just the right amount to keep you from nibbling on leftovers.

Apple pie oatmeal for 22 cups water 4 teaspoons Splenda® Brown Sugar Blend1 cup old-fashioned oats 2 tablespoon chopped appledash salt 1 dash apple pie spice

Stovetop Directions: Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in oats and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat 5 minutes. Microwave Directions: Combine water, oats, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover tightly with heavy-duty plastic wrap; fold back a small edge to allow steam to escape. Microwave on HIGH 2 1/2 to 3 minutes; stir well. Top oatmeal with Splenda® Brown Sugar Blend, chopped apple and spice. Nutritional Information (per serving) calories: 200; calories from fat: 25; total fat: 2.5g; saturated fat: 0.5g; cholesterol: 0mg; sodium: 400mg; total carbs: 37g; dietary fiber: 5g; sugars: 9g; protein: 5g


Call us aboutrebates before

you buy

The REMC’s incentive program for new water heaters and HVAC systems will continue into 2013. There could be some minor changes throughout the year, however. It is always a good idea to contact the REMC before making a purchase.

At the present time, newly installed equipment eligible for the program includes:

* Standard water heaters that are at least 40-gallon in capacity and have an energy factor of no less than .90.

* Heat pumps and central air conditioners that are rated a minimum of 14-SEER.

* Heat pump water heaters (both new and add-on units).

* Geothermal HVAC sys-tems (both new and replace-ment units).

For more information visit www.jacksonremc.com or contact our Member Services Department.

Jackson County REMC reserves the right to modify or discontinue the incentives at any time without notice.

Let’s talk about it!

Stay warm & save energy this winter

by Madeline Keimig, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

On top of staying warm throughout the winter months, a lot of people worry about saving money and energy. According to a poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, four out of 10 consumers are worried about money this holiday season.

The average family spends $2,024 a year on energy; nearly half of that goes towards heating and cooling costs. Stay warm and save energy with these helpful winter tips:

= Pick smarter light bulbs. Decorate for the holidays efficiently with strands of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Using LED holiday lights for 12 hours a day cuts seasonal lighting costs by 90 percent when compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights.

= Check furnace filters. Be sure to clean or replace your heating and cooling system’s air filter. At a minimum change the filter every three months; a dirty filter clogs the system, making the system work harder to keep you warm.

= Install a programmable thermostat. Is your home alone most of the day? Programmable thermostats can reduce heating bills up to 10% with the ability to auto-matically turn temperatures down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours a day.

= Insulate water heaters and pipes. Wrap water pipes connected to the water heater with foam, and insulate the water heater, too. To save about $75 annually, on average, consider lowering the water heater temperature from 130 degrees to 120.

= Bundle up your home. The more heat that escapes from cracks, the more cold air enters, causing your system to work harder and use more energy. Use an incense stick to spot air leaks. When it’s windy outside, hold a lit incense stick near your windows, doors, and electrical outlets. If the smoke blows sideways, you’ve got a leak that should be plugged with weather-stripping, caulk, or expandable foam.

= Use a low-flow shower head. About 14 percent of your energy bill funds water heating. Low-flow shower heads can minimize water use by up to 50 percent—a helpful change, especially when extended family members visit for the holidays.

Want more ways to save? Take the home energy savings tour and see how little changes add up to big savings at www.TogetherWeSave.com.

Sources: Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, ENERGY STAR, U.S. Energy Information Administration, Consumer Reports

Madeline Keimig writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the national branding program for 700-plus electric cooperatives in the U.S.


To have your non-profit group’s event listed in our “Community Calendar,” please contact us by letter, phone or e-mail ([email protected]) at least six weeks before your event date. Include a phone number we can call to verify your information.

Brown CountyNovember 17 - 2nd Annual Hilltop Handcrafted Christmas Bazaar to ben-efit Hilltop Christian Camp; October 27 & November 3 at Nashville Christian Church from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; November 17 at Columbus First Christian Church from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact Eric (812-322-2889) for more information or to request a booth space.

Jackson CountyNovember 17 - 18th annual Crothers-ville FFA Craft Show from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Two gyms filled with more than 100 tables of crafts available. Entertainment at 10:30; lunch available; free admission. Contact Linda Maxie (812-793-2051 or 812-793-3781) for more information or to inquire about booth space.

November 17 - 22nd Annual SEPAC Holiday Arts & Crafts Market at the Sey-

mour American Legion annex. Event hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No admission charge; 40 to 50 vendors; lunch served by the American Legion Auxiliary. Proceeds benefit the Special Education Parents’ Advisory Council to fund scholarships that support disabilities. For more information contact Beth White (812-445-3815).

November 30, December 1, 2, 7 & 8 - Jackson County Community Theatre presents the holiday musical “Plaid Tidings” at the Royal-Off-the-Square Theatre in Brownstown. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors & students; advance purchase at Family Drug or Bever’s Family Pharmacy is recommended. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., show starts at 7:30 for evening performances; doors open at 2:00 p.m., show starts at 2:30 for Sunday matinee. Call the theatre (812-358-5228) for more information.

December 1 - Annual Immanuel Guild Cookie Walk at Immanuel Lutheran Church

in Seymour from 9:00 a.m. until cookies are gone. Price depends on size of decorated container you select. Contact Lisa Lewis (812-522-5498) for more information.

December 8 - 8th Annual Snow Flake Christmas bazaar and cookie walk from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brownstown United Methodist Church. Contact Margo Brewer (812-358-2924) for more informa-tion or for a booth space applications.

Lawrence CountyNovember 16 - Holiday supper and auc-tion at Erie United Methodist Church. Event begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact the church office (812-279-1731) or Barbara Little (812-279-5441) for more information.

Scott CountyDecember 15 - Breakfast with Santa from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Scott County Lodge #120 F&AM on highway 31 in Austin. No charge, but donations will be accepted. Contact Barry Parks (812-794-2042) for more information.

REMC office closings

The REMC office will be closed on the following dates during the coming holiday season:

Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23 for Thanksgiving

Monday & Tuesday, December 24 & 25 for Christmas

Tuesday, January 1 for New Years Day

A crew will be on standby to handle out-ages and emergencies.

EAP underway for the 2012-2013 heating season

The application process for the 2012-2013 Energy Assistance Program (EAP) heating season has begun. Households headed by the elderly and handicapped are being processed first, followed by low-income households. You may call the Community Action Program (CAP) for your respective county as shown on the list below for more information or to schedule an application appointment:

Human Services - Bartholomew and Jackson CountiesOhio Valley Opportunities - Jefferson, Jennings and Scott CountiesHoosier Uplands - Lawrence and Washington CountiesSouth Central CAP - Brown and Monroe CountiesCommunity Action of Southern Indiana - Clark County

COMMUNITYCALENDAR

Recycle your old refrigerator or freezer -- and pick up some

cold cash!

A rebate check of $30.00 will be mailed to the customer within 4 to 6 weeks after the appliance has been collected.

To schedule a pick-up call JACO Environmental at 1-877-395-5535 or visit www.jacksonremc.com to find a

link to JACO’s website.


Do we have your phone number?

It’s important to keep the lines of communication between you and your REMC open, so it is very helpful to have your correct phone number --- whether it is a landline or cell phone --- on file

with us. Here are some of the ways having your phone number helps us serve you better:

Outage calls - When you call us during a power outage we’ll probably ask you for your phone number. Why? Because most people don’t memorize their electric account number, but everyone knows their phone number. If we have your correct phone number on file we can use it to quickly access your account and location information and make a speedy outage response. And, we sometimes call members to verify power has been restored.

Planned service interruptions - Sometimes we have to disconnect power lines in order to do maintenance during our regular business hours. If we have your phone number on file we will try to contact you in advance of shutting the lines down.

Payment questions - If we have questions about a payment, or if something about your bill doesn’t seem quite right, we’d like to be able to give you a call to discuss the situation.

Please check your next bill for the phone number we have on file. You can find it in the bottom left portion of your bill, just above your name and address. If it is incorrect, just write your correct number on the bill before you send it in or give us a call (1-800-288-4458 toll free or 358-4458 for local calls) to give us the correct information.

When calling or w

riting please give the name and

account number show

n on your label or billcard.

TELEPHONE (812) 358-4458TOLL FREE (800) 288-4458

During regular office hours you will be connected with our switchboard operator. After regular hours you will be connected with our answering service. Please call during regular office hours for all business other than outages or emergencies.

OFFICE HOURS7:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Monday through Friday

FAX only - 812-358-5719E-mail - [email protected]

Web site - www.jacksonremc.comPay bill online - visit our website

Pay bill by phone - 1-888-999-8816

So once in every year we throngUpon a day apart,To praise the Lord with feast and songIn thankfulness of heart.

~ from “The First Thanksgiving” by Arthur Guiterman (1871-1943)

American poet & humorist

Happy Thanksgiving from the employees and directors of

Jackson County REMC.