January 2008
Manager's Message ~
A Watt is a Watt
During the winter, we are inundated with ads for small heaters that make huge promises – like cutting your heating bill by 50 percent. Space heaters are capable of saving you money in heating costs if the right heater is used in the right application.
The first thing I would like to make clear is that the use of electricity generates heats. For example, an incandescent light bulb heats an element to produce light and in the process it generates heats. A 500-watt incandescent bulb will generate the same amount of heat as a 500 watt electric heater. The heat generated from a watt used by a light bulb will generate as much heat as a watt used by an electric heater. A WATT OF HEAT IS A WATT OF HEAT! A 1500-watt heater takes the same amount of electricity as fifteen 100-watt light bulbs and is also going to put out the same amount of heat.
With that in mind, we can address the issue of which heater is the most cost effective – the $29, 1500-watt space heater or the $599, 1500-watt space heater. They both use 1500 watts and generate the same amount of heat. One may look a little more upscale and have some sort of environmentally attractive name, but they both put out 1500-watts of heat. Marketing is the key to the success of many of the high-end heaters. The buyer should make an educated decision.
We all are looking for less expensive ways to heat our homes during the winter, especially with the rising cost of energy. Using a portable electric space heater instead of cranking up the thermostat on the furnace to heat unoccupied rooms may cut your utility bills and improve your comfort because you direct the heat where you need it the most. You will have to make a very drastic lifestyle change to reduce your heating bill by 50 percent. Shopping for an electric space heater can be mind-boggling. There are significant differences in controls, heat distribution and safety of various models. Price is not a guarantee of quality. Technically, all electric heating elements are 100 percent efficient, so do not let the packaging hype fool you. Every watt of electricity is converted into heat. Check for these features – adjustable thermostat, several heat settings, and timers.
This brings us to the subject of what heater is best for your needs. If you want to heat an entire room, convection type heaters are the most cost effective, such as baseboard or tall oil-filled radiator types, according to the research. They are generally quiet, safe and heat a whole room consistently. There are many designs and features on the different units. Some of the newer convection models use either non-glow or ceramic elements, which reduce the chances of being burned. For the most precise temperature control in a room, check out the new convection heaters with a temperature dial. The oil-filled electric heaters seem to have the best overall reviews and are a good choice for raising the temperature in a whole room. These models don't have a fan and use natural convection to distribute heat. They are generally priced in the $80 range. You can also purchase small convection heaters for small spaces like an office or under a desk. These heaters sell for around $30.
If you are interested in heating one small area of a room, say the area where you are sitting and watching TV, a radiant space heater would be a good choice. This type of heater directly heats objects as opposed to heating the surrounding air. They heat without circulating the warmth, but when used long enough, will eventually raise the air temperature. Radiant space heaters are good for drafty areas because they only heat the area around the unit. Some have a small fan.
Before purchasing a space heater, stop by your local hardware store for advice. You may also want to visit www.consumersearch.com or www.consumerreports.org . These sites will provide you with reviews on best performance, value and product ratings. It pays to do a little research. As we know, things that sound too good to be true, usually are.
A New Voice In Falcon Office
If you call into the Falcon Operations Center , one of the voices you may hear belongs to MVEA's newest employee, Jennifer Hyson. Jennifer has filled the Secretary 1 position whose duties include answering the phone, distributing correspondence, ordering and inventory of office supplies and doing general correspondence. MVEA welcomes Jennifer to the cooperative.
Holiday Card Contest Winner
Eleven-year-old Lauren Seaman was very pleased with the $50 prize she received as this year's holiday card contest winner. Lauren's submission won by a snow slide. Lauren is the daughter of Kari and Byron Seaman of Falcon and is a sixth grade student at Meridian Ranch Elementary School . She enjoys drawing (of course); the company of her pets: Sadie the dog, Oliver the cat and butterfly the bird; playing video games and hanging out with her friends. Lauren is also an accomplished musician. She started piano lessons in the first grade, plays clarinet in her school band and likes to sing. Lauren's entry adorned the holiday cards that MVEA mailed to businesses and cooperatives. Congratulations on an excellent job!
2008 Photo Contest Begins
Get those cameras out and for that perfect picture in our service territory. Maybe you will be one of the lucky winners to have their pictures on the MVEA calendar. For instructions and entry forms for the 2008 photo contest, click here.
MVEA Scholarhip Time!
Don't miss out on the cash!
Don't miss out on the 15-college scholarships available through MVEA.
10 - $1,000 MVEA Scholarships
1 - $1,000 MVEA Vocational/Technical Scholarship
2 - $500 Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarships
1 - $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship
1 - $1,000 E.A. “Mick” Geesen Memorial Scholarship
To qualify for these scholarships
- Your parents or guardians must receive electric service from MVEA
- You must be a graduating high school senior
- You must meet ACT or SAT and GPA requirements (these vary according to which scholarship you apply for).
- Applications must be received by January 15, 2008
To download scholarship applications click here or they can be picked up at either MVEA office, from your high school counselor, or by calling Deborah Skillicorn at (719) 775-2861 or (719) 495-2283.
Don't miss out on the cash!
There's a New Chamber in Town
When the Falcon area started to take off commercially in 2001, businesses in the area decided to form the Falcon Business League. The group met once a month to discuss issues important not only to their businesses, but also to the community. As the area grew and more and more businesses joined the league, the group decided it was time to develop into a chamber of commerce to provide more unity and support to the organization. On November 8, the Falcon Business league became an official Chamber of Commerce. On December 5, the group adopted the name of Eastern Plains Chamber at their holiday business breakfast at Antlers Creek Golf Club attended by approximately 40 members.
The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce has spearheaded the development of the Pikes Peak Regional Business Partnership. This organization is comprised of multiple community partners working together for the betterment of the region. On December 11, Eastern Plains, Fountain Valley, Tri-Lakes and Southern Colorado women's Chamber joined the partnership bringing the total membership to eight chambers. Current president of the Eastern Plains Chamber, Bob Deck said, “This partnership is a huge opportunity for the small business communities everywhere in this area.” The partnership will give a stronger voice to the area concerning legislation and issues that affect businesses and the community.
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MVEA Retirees Multiplying!
Two more long-time MVEA employees have decided to “ease on down the road.” DeWayne Hall and Ben McCune left for the green pastures of retirement the same week in December. DeWayne worked for MVEA for almost 39 years as a lineman. Born in Cripple Creek, DeWayne's family lived in various places around Colorado until settling in Peyton in 1966. About 6 months after graduating from Peyton, DeWayne came to MVEA as a temporary groundman for a year and was then hired full time. He moved to the Springs for a few years, when MVEA had their offices on Tejon Street, but moved his family back to the Peyton area when the Falcon Operations Center was built.
DeWayne progressed from groundman to lineman to service area representative, a position he held for 30 years. He said, “I always enjoyed working as a service representative and I could tell you who lived in every house between Elbert and Falcon.” He added, “The biggest change I have seen, besides the growth, is paved roads.” He was not sure if that was good or bad, it depended on what time of year. The change in technology was another huge change over the years. “Everything used to be manual and now everything is computerized.”
DeWayne wanted to acknowledge all the great teachers he has had through the years. The leadership was great. And to the younger men he says, “I hope you have as much enjoyment and respect for the job as I have and when you retire look back and know that you have done your best. Be safe and enjoy.” DeWayne will miss his co-workers and will think about them as he sits back, relaxes, travels, hunts, fishes and plays with his grandchildren whenever he likes. He will not miss being in at work by 7 a.m. and making coffee every morning or freezing his tail off in a blizzard!
Ben McCune, retiring as a consumer relations specialist had that same sentiment. Ben started with MVEA as a meter reader 20 years ago. When the jobs were changed around a bit, Ben became a consumer relations specialist which added a quite a few other duties to his daily routine.
Ben was born in Denver , but raised in Colorado Springs with his two sisters. After attending Palmer and Lewis High Schools , he had a series of short-term jobs until settling in a position at Pikes Peak News Agency. He worked for the company for 23 years until joining the Apex Corporation. After 14 years with Apex he worked at Graybar Electric just prior to joining MVEA. He loved working for the co-op from the very beginning. He says, “I worked a lot of overtime at Apex, so leaving work on time everyday was great!”
Ben is not letting any grass grow under his feet. After his party, he and his wife, Wanda, got into their totally packed car and headed out to their new home in Oklahoma. Leaving Colorado is a new experience for Ben, especially since his sons David and Myke and his grandchildren live in the area, but this will give the couple an opportunity to live close to Wanda's four children and grandchildren. Retirement will also give the couple time to visit Ben's other two children: Amanda in Las Vegas, NV and Jesse in Washington State. Besides traveling, Ben will have the time to enjoy his music, play a little pool and catch up on his reading. He says, “I'll miss my friends and co-workers at MVEA. They have been a great group to work with.”
The employees and members of MVEA congratulate DeWayne and Ben on their years of service to the co-op and dedication to their jobs. Both of these men have been great employees and they will be sorely missed. We wish you the very best in your retirement.
In The Board Room
The Co-op Way Keeps Rising Electricity Rates in Check
Many Americans do business with a cooperative everyday. They exist in almost every industry from energy to news reporting to healthcare. Co-ops are a huge part of the economy here in the United States and serve some 120 million members, or 4 in 10 Americans.
While cooperatives may resemble most companies in some ways, they are very different in others. One of the most important differences is that co-ops are not driven by profit. For-profit companies aim to return a profit to their shareholders. After all, these shareholders have invested their money in the business.
A co-op's mission, on the other hand, is meeting its members' needs for goods or services. Electric co-ops are part of this tradition of doing business, one that has a long history going back to 1752 when Ben Franklin started the first cooperative in Philadelphia .
A cooperative, however, is still going to see its operating costs rise when the price of doing business goes up. There's no better example of this than right now when the cost of fuel to run power plants is at a record high. We work everyday to achieve operating efficiencies as we face these cost increases. We will work with you to make sure you have the information and help you need to use energy wisely. However, if we find it necessary to pass along power supply increases, you can trust that the decision was based on keeping the business financially strong on behalf of all members. We are not driven by the profit motive to make money for outside investors.
At a time when Americans' electric bills are going up around the country—in some places by as much as 40 percent—the co-op way of doing business is an important way to keep costs manageable.
We are not profit-driven and we don't have to impress Wall Street every quarter. Rather, we are service-driven and operate at cost. You can bank on the cooperative difference.
Get in the LOOP with compact florescent light bulbs
Fund raising opportunities!
MVEA urges you to join in conserving power by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in your home and business. The Energy Star© qualified bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than a standard light bulb and use 2/3 to ¾ less energy.
The first CFL bulbs were developed in the 1980's and were expensive. Many people complained about dim light output, flickering, noise, funny colors and sizes that were too big to fit in many fixtures. Today's CFLs cost much less while offering great performance. They have instant turn-on, quick warm-up and great light quality. They come in a wide variety of shapes, most of which are no larger than the standard bulbs they replace.
MVEA has joined the national Energy Star© campaign to encourage all Americans to install CFLs. A component of this effort is MVEA's CFL Fund Raiser in which non-profit organizations can sell CFLs as a fundraiser for their organization. MVEA will provide these light bulbs to the non-profit groups at less than wholesale cost. Groups can expect to make approximately $1 for every bulb they sell.
If you are a member of a non-profit group within MVEA's service territory and would like more information on how your group can participate, contact MVEA member services department at 719-495-2283 or 719-775-2861. Energy Efficiency today at MVEA!
DCP Utility Consulting
DCP Utility Consulting will be conducting an attachment audit of MVEA's overhead electric distribution system for approximately ten months (until summer 2007). The purpose of the audit is to insure that all joint use attachments to our poles are in compliance with applicable safety codes and that appropriate joint use agreements are in place for all attachments. DCP employees may require access to your property in order to complete their work on our system. They are only gathering data and should be able to complete their tasks at any given location very quickly. Please extend them the same cooperation you would extend to an MVEA employee. If you have questions please call Mike Garland at 719-495-2283 or 800-388-9881.
