A SuPPLeMenT TO OKLAHOMA LIVInG

HOW TO SPOT A SCAM

Here’s what to do if the call seems suspicious:

1 HANG UP

2 CALL your utility provider at the phone number on your bill

3 CALL THE POLICE

DO NOT pay over the phone if immediate payment is demanded to avoid a disconnection DON’T FALL FOR THE CALL

LIVEWIREJ u n e 2 0 1 8 | V O L u M e 6 9 I S S u e 6 | P u B L I S H e D F O R M e M B e R S O F T R I - C O u n T Y e L e C T R I C C O O P e R A T I V e

SUSPECT A ROTTEN SCAMMER?

Don’t become a victim. In one of the most common scams, a caller may:

PRETEND to be from your utility. (Your caller ID may even display your utility’s name.)

THREATEN to turn off power, water or natural gas service to your home or business within an hour.

DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT - often by prepaid debit card.

PAGe 2 | LIVEWIRE | June 2018

Energy Effi ciency Tip of the Month If you see utility or emergency

crews working on the side of the road, we kindly ask that you move over when possible. Always slow down in work zones for everyone’s safety.

Electrical Safety Tip of the MonthLaundry Tip: Use rubber or wool

dryer balls, which help separate clothing in the cycle, providing better airflow and a shorter drying time. Wool dryer balls can help absorb moisture, which also reduces drying time.

Source: Energy.gov Source: NRECA

More and more people are looking for ways to save money on necessities. One way to save money is to reduce your energy use, which will lower your bills.The typical single-family home spends $2,060 a year on energy, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. More than 40 percent of that $2,060 goes toward

heating and cooling costs. In the ‘shoulder’ months like April and May, your bill is usually lower. In the warmer or colder months, it is usually higher. It really depends on the outdoor temperature and what you set your indoor thermostat to. As summer approaches and we start running our air conditioners, I’d like to share a few ways you can prepare your home and lower your bills.Start with your thermostatYou can save as much as 10 percent per year on cooling by turning your thermostat up 7°–10°F for 8 hours or more a day in the spring and summer. Programmable and smart thermostats make this easy but you can do it manually too. Set your thermostat as high as is comfortable when you’re home and awake in the summer, and raise the temperature when you’re sleeping or away from home.Additional cooling tips• Clean or replace fi lters on air conditioners once a

month or as recommended.• Except for fans that are designed for continuous

operation, turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing. When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-effi ciency, low-noise models.

• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room.

• Set the fan switch on your thermostat to “Auto” unless an indoor air quality professional has set up your system to operate continuously for health reasons.

• During summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to block the sun’s heat.

WeatherizationSealing air leaks and adding insulation saves energy and can also improve the comfort of your home. One of the greatest sources of energy loss in a home is air leaks. To weatherize your home, identify air leaks around doors, windows and outlets. Then do the following:• Apply weatherstripping to gaps in doors and windows.• Caulk air leaks around window trims, baseboards and

other places where air may leak out.• Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on

walls.• Use foam sealant on larger gaps around plumbing,

ducting, or where electrical wiring comes through top and sole plates in walls, fl oors and ceilings.

• Check for open fi replace dampers and make sure they properly close.

Air DuctsAir ducts are one of the most important systems in your home, as they carry the air from your home’s furnace and central air conditioner to each room. If the ducts are poorly sized, poorly sealed, or poorly insulated, they are likely contributing to higher energy bills. Talk to a qualifi ed professional to make changes or repairs to your air ducts.Follow UpMost of the tips I’ve offered are from energysavers.gov. We also offer energy saving tips at tcec.coop. If you have questions regarding your bill or how to save energy, please call TCEC during regular business hours at 580.652.2418 or email member service at info@tcec.coop. n

Member Matters: Reduce and save

By Jay Nunley, Key Accounts & Energy Use Coordinator

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3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

Electrical Safety Month Poster Contest

TCEC received so many great entries in this year’s poster contest, the judges had a difficult time choosing only two winners per grade. The theme for the posters was ‘power line safety’ and the contest was open to third through sixth graders in TCEC’s service territory. Winners received either a backpack and notepad (1st) or backpack only (2nd).

1st place, Anna Munoz, Optima school

1st place, Alessandra Montoya, Beaver school

1st place, Valery Ponce, Beaver school

1st place, Jenna Carter, Straight school

2nd place, Julie DeHerrera, Beaver school

2nd place, Serman Rascon, Elkhart school

2nd place, Derek Farris, Texhoma school

2nd place, Yessica Flores, Optima school

PAGe 4 | LIVEWIRE | June 2018

CONTACT USTri-County Electric Cooperative 995 Mile 46 RoadP.O. Box 880 Hooker, Oklahoma 73945

Office Hours:8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - FridayPhone: 580-652-2418Toll Free: 800-522-3315E-mail: info@tcec.coopwww.tcec.coop

BOARD OF TRUSTEESDistrict 1 Randy SchreinerDistrict 2 Gayla JamesDistrict 3 Ronny WhiteDistrict 4 C.J. MouserDistrict 5 Joe MayerDistrict 6 Larry DunnDistrict 7 Shawn MartinezDistrict 8 Cletus CarterDistrict 9 Larry Hodges

TCEC board meetings are the fourth Friday of every month.

PAYMENT OPTIONSAutoPay (Bank or credit card draft)

Pay As You Go (Prepay)

Online Bill Pay (www.tcec.coop)

Pay by Phone IVR (844-203-6547)

Drop off Payment (Office in Hooker)

Payment Centers (Locations below)Town Name and AddressBeaver Downing’s Market

216 Douglas St.

Boise City Moore’s Food 201 East Main Street

Elkhart EPICTOUCH 451 Morton St.

Goodwell 54 GAS-N-GO 108 West Highway 54

Guymon Mitchell Theaters Northridge Shopping Center, 1928 N. Hwy 64

Guymon Mora’s Market 702 N. Main Street

Hooker TCEC Office 995 Mile 46 Road

Texhoma Slats Food Market105 East Highway 54

DIGITAL EDITIONwww.ok-living.coop

Co-op Connections PTCI

Members who show their Co-op Connections Card at any PTCI office will receive 25 percent off accessories. As a cooperative, PTCI has much in common with TCEC. Personal, local and friendly service is an advantage both offer members.Another commonality is the seven universal cooperative principles. In the spirit of the principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives, PTCI joined TCEC’s Co-op Connections program. Members of TCEC can save on cellular accessories at any PTCI office when they show their TCEC membership card.PTCI offers “communication and broadband solutions,” which encompasses a range of services. In addition to cellular and internet services, PTCI offers a Whole Home WiFi option where they will install and maintain your home network using either wired or wireless technology. PTCI has high speed internet in many areas that makes it capable of streaming entertainment services like Sling, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Video.PTCI has competitive wireless

plans on a nationwide network to meet your needs. Plus, if you need help you can go to their local office.Stop by the Co-op Connections Business Spotlight at PTCI’s Guymon office for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

PTCITuesday, June 12Noon - 1 p.m.2222 NW Hwy 64Guymon, Oklahoma800.562.2556www.ptci.net

To see all offers, visit tcec.coop and look for ‘Co-op Connections’ under the ‘Community’ tab. n

TCEC MEMBERS WHO SHOW THEIR CO-OP CONNECTIONS MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT CARD AT PTCI RECEIVE 25% OFF ACCESSORIES.

25% OFF ACCESSORIES WITH THE CARD