October 2017

October 2017 3

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Volume 71, Number 10, October 2017

FeaturesRaising the Bar on Personal Energy Habits 6 Even with energy-efficient construction, modern remodelingtechniques, and power conserving appliances and systems, themost valuable tool in saving energy is one all of us already have—our personal approach to energy use.

Manage your energy costs and save money 14 If you’re wanting to improve energy efficiency in your home orbusiness, the “building envelope” is a good place to start forenergy saving opportunities. The building envelope includesphysical components that separate indoors from outdoors. Theseusually include exterior walls, foundations, roofs, windows anddoors.

Departments

On the coverHarvest season can be a dangerous time when working around power lineswith large equipment. Remember to watch for wires overhead. Photographby Wayne Price

Contents

EDITOR’S PAGE 4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy 16

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by Pat Keegan 18

RECIPES 20

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS 22

StaffEditor

Wayne PriceEditorial AssistantTina Schweitzer

Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.orgPresident

David Keener,Niobrara Electric Association, Inc.

Vice President/SecretaryButch Gray,

Cornhusker Public Power District

TreasurerGreg Weidner,

Elkhorn Rural Public Power District

Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural ElectricAssociation, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln,Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan doesnot imply endorsement for products by theNebraska Rural Electric Association.Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price,Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048,Lincoln, NE 68501.The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by theAradius Group, 4700 F Street, Omaha, NE 68117.Form 3579 should be sent to the Rural ElectricNebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb.POSTMASTER: send address changes to theRural Electric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 and ISSN0193-4937.Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20for three years, plus local and state tax.

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EDITOR’S PAGE

by Wayne Price

hen I think about October, my brainusually conjures up beer, schnitzel,and lederhosen. That is probably

because I was able to visit Munich, Germanytwice during Oktoberfest, while I wasstationed nearby. For many people October makes us thinkabout Halloween with its spooky decorations,superhero costumes and fun-size candybars. But October is also the time when youshould be thinking about public powerbecause it is when we celebrate Public PowerMonth, both in Nebraska and across thecountry. It’s an opportunity for Nebraska’spublic power districts and electriccooperatives to remind everyone about thedistinct advantages that public power offers. Public Power Month is a celebration thatrecognizes the economic, social andenvironmental contributions of yourhometown electric utility, one of more than2,000 across the nation that collectively serve49 million Americans. Public Power Monthalso honors the democratic tradition ofcommunity decision-making andparticipation that led to the founding of publicpower districts. It was 1936 when the U.S. Congress, led byNebraska Senator George Norris, passed theRural Electrification Act. This act stipulatedthat power generation and delivery systemswere to be owned by the public for the publicgood. While criticized by many as beingsocialistic, Norris believed that public powerrepresented a way to ensure that every citizenwas provided with reliable service at areasonable price. Norris viewed every streamin America as a way to deliver reliableelectricity to the nation. Today, Nebraska is the only state inAmerica that is totally served by public powerand it is paying dividends. Nebraskaresidents have reliable electricity with someof the lowest rates in the nation. In addition,control of this public asset is maintained atthe local level. Local people, making decisionson behalf of their neighbors. That’s whatpublic power is about in Nebraska.

Along with our national association inWashington, D.C. we advocate for publicpolicy that will increase our energyindependence and security, care for theenvironment, and make energy use moreefficient: • We seek preservation of tax-exemptfinancing for public power utilities andadvocate for access to tax-exempt bonds. • We support comprehensive legislation toaddress climate change, but look togovernment to create environmental laws andregulations that ensure a reliable andaffordable energy supply without negativeimpact on consumers and the economy. • We seek balanced legislation on gridsecurity that encourages industry-government information sharing and allowsfor local decision-making and flexibility. • We support policy that ensure effectivecompetition in wholesale electricity marketsfor the benefit of consumers, businesses, andthe economy. While it may seem complicated, the publicpower governance system is fairly simple if itis broken into pieces. Nebraska has municipalelectric systems, public power districts, andrural electric cooperatives. These governingbodies set rates, approve budgets andfinancing decisions, and oversee quality ofservice. Members of these boards are electedor appointed locally. Nebraska’s public power system has anumber of inherent benefits. For example, itis responsible to all the residents of Nebraskaand not just a board of directors. Notconcentrating on making a profit allowspublic power to focus on customer needs andmaintain low rates for all residents andbusinesses regardless of size. Finally, publicpower allows money to be reinvested in thecommunity in the form of economicdevelopment or reinvestment in theinfrastructure. Be sure to stop by your local rural electricutility this month, even if it’s just to saythanks for providing safe, reliable andaffordable electricity.

WOctober is a time to celebrate public power

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Raising the Baron Personal

Energy Habits

by Les O’Dell

ven with energy-efficientconstruction, modernremodeling techniques, and

power conserving appliances andsystems, the most valuable tool insaving energy is one all of us alreadyhave—our personal approach toenergy use. “Your habits and practices at homecan make the biggest differencewhen it comes to saving energy,” saysnational energy writer Jim Dulley.“It’s our behavior that matters.” That means doing the little thingsthat make a big difference, not justthings that look good, says BrianSloboda senior program managerwith the National Rural ElectricCooperative Association (NRECA). “I’ve talked to people who put solarpanels on their houses and they’revery proud of them,” he shares. “Thenyou go into the house. Thetelevision’s on and nobody’s watchingit while incandescent lights burnbrightly in an empty room. “Saving energy with properinsulation or thermal windows isn’tshowy, but they are just as ‘green,’and show that you’re serious,” headds. “Energy efficiency isn’t veryexciting. In fact, it’s boring, but it’swhat we all need to do.” Using energy intelligently willalways be important explains AlanShedd, director of residential andcommercial energy programs for theNRECA’s Touchstone Energy Homeprogram. “Being intelligent with energy isvery important,” he says. “Even withEnergy Star appliances, you have tobe smart. Just because your new 60-inch television is Energy Star-labeleddoesn’t mean you should leave it one24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Adding a Breath of Fresh AirEnergy conservation and air qualitygo hand-in-hand. Unfortunately it’soften an inverse relationship. “As we tighten the buildingenvelope, problems that have beenaround before now becomeprevalent—air quality issues,humidity, carbon monoxide, mildewand mold,” explains Bob Dickey,

manager of marketing and economicdevelopment for Eastern IlliniElectric Cooperative in Paxton, Ill..“Now without leaks, there’s no placefor these to go. We have to make surewe get proper air exchanges inaddition to controlling energy leaks.” James Lebair, president ofOreland, Penn.-based JRL Designand a member of the NationalAssociation of the RemodelingIndustry, says specialized unitscalled energy recovery ventilatorshandle the task perfectly. “We can do it with passive airmanagement—basically opening awindow—but usually we use somemechanical intervention that willtake care of moisture and air qualityissues,” he says. Air quality is a major concern,especially when there have beenprevious leaks. Controlling moistureat the source in basement and crawlspaces makes a big difference inmold and mildew issues. Properventilation in bathrooms can alsohelp improve air quality andultimately the health ofhomeowners. While properventilation may not be the top issue

considered by most homeownersduring a bathroom or kitchenremodel, it is a critical improvementyou’ll want installed correctly. “People are usually looking atremodeling from more of a designstandpoint,” Lebair says. “Weeducate them about the advantagesof properly insulating andaddressing air infiltration,ventilation, and heat loss issues.We’ve had great success in ensuringhealth and safety as well.”

Smart, Self-ProgrammingThermostats

A programmable thermostat is one ofthe easiest energy savers you canbuy. Unfortunately most people don’tprogram their thermostat toautomatically adjust thetemperature when the home isempty or full. The problem may have been solvedby one of the coolest, albeit relativelyexpensive, new home energy gadgets.Nest Labs has created the NestLearning Thermostat™. Thisthermostat is “smart” and learns

October 2017 7

More on Page 8

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Opening a window can help with passive air management but does not takecare of moisture and air quality issues. Photograph by John Lowrey

from your behaviors, preferences andsurroundings to create a customheating and cooling schedule,keeping you comfortable when you’rehome and conserving energy whenyou’re away. “It was unacceptable to me that thedevice controling 10 percent of allenergy consumed in the U.S. hadn’tkept up with advancements intechnology and design,” said TonyFadell, co-founder and CEO of NestLabs. “Together with the team, Co-Founder Matt Rogers and I set out toreinvent the thermostat usingadvanced technologies, high-qualitymanufacturing processes and thethoughtful design elements theiPhone generation expects. We hopeit will not only save money andenergy, but that it will teach andinspire people to think more abouthow they can reduce home-energyconsumption.” According to the U.S. Departmentof Energy and Lawrence BerkeleyNational Lab, the annual energy billfor a typical single-family home isapproximately $2,200, with heatingand cooling (HVAC) accounting forapproximately half of the bill. Theprogrammable thermostat,developed in the 1970s, promised tohelp people conserve energy, but 89percent of owners rarely or never seta program. The Nest Learning Thermostataddresses the programming problemthrough a combination of sensors,algorithms, machine learning andcloud computing. The Nestthermostat programs itself based onthe temperatures you set. It thenlearns your personal schedule in aweek and starts automaticallyturning down heating or coolingwhen you’re away to save energy. You can even connect the Nestthermostat to your home’s Wi-Finetwork to control it from yourlaptop, smartphone or tablet. Change

the temperature, adjust yourschedule and check your energyusage. For more information visitwww.nest.com.

Slaying Silent Energy KillersBrian Sloboda, a vampire slayer,stays on the prowl. He hunts forenergy killers that feed on electricitywhen nobody’s looking. “We need to kill what I call theenergy vampires,” he says. “Lookaround your house for any plug withwhat we call a ‘wall wart’—thoselarger black boxes that are actuallytransformers. Those are energykillers.” Found on the cords of devices suchas cellular telephone chargers andvideo game systems, these big plugshave quite the appetite. In fact, theyeat energy all day and all night long. “They consume electricitywhenever they are plugged in,whether the device is turned on oroff,” says Sloboda. “It’s a tiny amountof electricity, but the power’s drained

for nothing.” In some cases, he adds, theconsumption is more than just alittle. “With some of the video gamesystems, even when they’re turnedoff, they use practically as muchenergy as when they’re turned on,”Sloboda explains, adding that thesame is true for some cable boxes anddigital video recorder units. To combat energy vampires, hemakes two recommendations: first,look for electronic devices with theEnergy Star logo. That means theequipment has been certified asenergy-efficient. Second, he suggestsusing smart power strips. “These power strips can sense achange of voltage running throughthem that will stop the flow of energyto that particular item or to otherrelated items,” he says, explaining,for example, that a smart power stripcan sense when a computer is turnedoff or in sleep mode, thenautomatically stop the flow of powerto monitors, printers, and speakers.

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Raising the barFrom page 7

The Nest Thermostat learns your personal schedule and automaticallyreduces the heating or cooling when you’re away to save energy.

Rural Electric Nebraskan10

ANSWER KEY:1. Power plant 2. Transmission line 3. Substation4. Transformer 5. Distribution line 6. Your home

Rural Electric Nebraskan12

ach year, dozens of farmworkers are killed andhundreds are injured in

accidents involving power lines andelectrical equipment.

“Things people see every day canfade from view and in the busy-nessof harvest time, it’s easy for farmworkers to forget about the powerlines overhead,” says RichardMcCracken of the Safe ElectricityAdvisory Board. “But failure to noticethem can be a deadly oversight.”

Review with all workers the farmactivities that take place aroundpower lines. Inspect the height offarm equipment to determineclearance. Keep equipment at least 10feet away from power lines – above,below and to the side – a 360-degreerule.

“Always lower grain augers beforemoving them, even if it’s only a fewfeet,” says Bob Aherin, PhD, CSP &University of Illinois Professor andAgricultural Safety & HealthProgram Leader. “Variables like wind,uneven ground, shifting weight orother conditions can combine tocreate an unexpected result Also useextreme caution when raising the bedof a grain truck.”

Farm workers should take thesesteps to ensure a safer harvestseason:

• Use care when raising augers orthe bed of grain trucks around powerlines.

• Use a spotter when operatinglarge machinery near power lines. Donot let the spotter touch themachinery while it is being movedanywhere near power lines.

• As with any outdoor work, becareful not to raise any equipmentsuch as ladders, poles or rods intopower lines. Remember, non-metallicmaterials such as lumber, tree limbs,ropes and hay will conduct electricitydepending on dampness, dust and dirtcontamination.

• Never attempt to raise or move apower line to clear a path!

• Don’t use metal poles to break upbridged grain inside bins. Knowwhere and how to shut off the powerin an emergency.

• Use qualified electricians for workon drying equipment and other farmelectrical systems.

Operators of farm equipment orvehicles must also know what to do ifthe vehicle comes in contact with apower line: Stay on the equipment,

warn others to stay away and call 911.Do not get off the equipment until theutility crew says it is safe to do so.

“If the power line is energized andyou step outside, touching the vehicleand ground, your body becomes thepath and electrocution is the result,”Aherin said. “Even if a power line haslanded on the ground, the potentialfor the area nearby to be energizedstill exists. Stay inside the vehicleunless there’s fire or imminent risk offire.”

If this is the case, jump off theequipment with your feet together,without touching the ground andvehicle at the same time. Then, stillkeeping your feet together, hop tosafety as you leave the area.

Once you get away from theequipment, never attempt to get backon or even touch the equipment. Someelectrocutions have occurred after theoperator dismounts and, realizingnothing has happened, tries to getback on the equipment.

It is very important that all farmworkers and seasonal employees areinformed of electrical hazards andtrained in proper procedures to avoidinjury. Source: SafeElectricity.org

Harvest workers urged to take time to reap a safe harvest

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Rural Electric Nebraskan14

hen it comes to energy efficiency inyour home or business, expertsoften refer to the “building

envelope” as a place to start for energy savingopportunities. In simple terms, the buildingenvelope includes physical components thatseparate indoors from outdoors. Theseusually include exterior walls, foundations,roofs, windows and doors.

Improving building envelope efficiency isgenerally a low-cost, high-return method forincreasing a home’s efficient use of energy.When an owner incorporates theseimprovements as the structure is being built,small additional costs provide energy savingsthat pay for themselves year after year.

But what if your existing home is one of the83.5 percent of homes in out-state Nebraskathat are more than 20 years old? There arestill excellent efficiency opportunities you canincorporate that will save you money foryears to come!

Starting with least expensiveimprovements, tighten your place up. Airleaks or infiltration cause some of the biggestheat losses in older structures and canaccount for almost 30 percent of total heatlost. Check for cracks and gaps around allpenetrations through insulated floors,exterior walls and ceilings. These can becaused by things such as utility lines,

exhaust pipes, air conditioning line sets andplumbing. Look along the sill plate and bandjoist at the top of your foundation walls. Evenexamine fireplace dampers, attic accesshatches and light fixtures in insulatedceilings.

How you seal these air leaks depends ontheir size and where gaps are. Caulk worksbest for cracks less than a quarter-inch wide.When purchasing caulks make sure they arerecommended for the surface you are sealing.For larger cracks and gaps, expanding foamsealant is better as long as gaps and holes areprotected from sunlight and moisture.

Then it is time to insulate. The typical homeloses over 45 percent of its heat throughexternal walls, roof and floor. Unfortunately,installing insulation into existing buildingscan be difficult in many areas. In a mucholder home, if you are not sure if the walls areinsulated, you might be able to tell byremoving an outlet cover and looking into thewall cavity. Otherwise, find a closet (orcabinet) along an exterior wall and drill twoquarter-inch holes, one above the other, in thewall about four inches apart. Shine aflashlight into one hole while looking into theother. If you can see your light, the wall isprobably not insulated. If this is so, the bestoption is to bring in an insulation contractorto blow cellulose or fiberglass into the walls.

Look for theEnergy Starlabel, the

government’ssymbol of

energyefficiency, on awide range of

consumerproducts to 

save up to 30percent on

relatedelectricity bills.

W

Manage your energycosts and savemoney at home

October 2017 15

Adding insulation to an unheated attic canbe much easier. If there is no floor in the attic,simply add more loose fill or unfacedfiberglass batt insulation. If you have a floorin the attic, you may need to remove the floorbefore adding insulation. In Nebraska, youshould have 12 to 15 inches of evenlycovering insulation to maximize cost-effectiveness.

While windows are often the first thingmany people think about to save energy, theyare usually the most expensive upgrade.They rarely pay back their cost quicklyenough to be a good investment based onenergy savings alone. If your existingwindows are in fairly good shape, it will bemore cost-effective to improve their efficiencywith weather stripping and caulk. But if yourexisting windows only have single panes,have rotted or damaged wood, cracked glass,poorly fitting sashes or locks that do notwork, you may be better off replacing them.Finally, if other reasons, such as comfort,appearance or cleaning convenience, justifyreplacing your windows, it is highlyrecommended to invest the small added costin highly efficient windows rather thanminimum-performance ones.

Wood is still the most common constructionmaterial for windows, and it insulates fairlywell. Aluminum has been used extensively,

but unless their design incorporates athermal break, simple aluminum frames arevery inefficient because aluminum easilyconducts heat. Vinyl windows have becomepopular and some vinyl frames are insulatedusing fiberglass to reduce heat transferbetter than wood.

As with many consumer products, alwayslook for the Energy Star label to ensure youare purchasing an approved level of qualityand efficiency. The best windows todayinsulate almost four times better than bestavailable windows from fifteen years ago.When selecting, compare warranties againstthe loss of the air seal. Also, remember thatit is crazy to spend thousands of dollars onnew windows only to have an amateurcontractor install them. High-performancewindows cannot achieve their efficiencyratings if they are installed improperly withgaps and air leaks around the frame.

To find more ways to manage energy costs,visit with your local electric utility orNebraska Public Power District. They arecommitted to helping customers make themost from the energy they use to keep theirhomes and businesses warm in the winterand cool in the summer. They may also offerEnergyWise energy efficiency financialincentives to offset the cost of making yourhome or business more energy efficient.

Seal air leaksand properlyinsulate tosave up to 20percent onheating andcooling bills,while alsoincreasinghome comfort.

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SAFETY BRIEFS

Keep electrical spooks from haunting your Halloweenore and more peopledecorate their yards forHalloween with elaborate

lighting displays with as muchenthusiasm and as many materials asthey do for the Christmas holidays.Strings of decorative lights, fogmachines, strobe and black lights,animatronics, and electricallypowered decorations all add to theambience of Halloween, butimproperly used, can create addeddangers of fire, shock, and otherpotentially disastrous accidents. Safe Electricity urges everyone touse caution and look for potentialhazards while decorating andoperating these displays. “These decorations have beenpacked away since last year inbasements, garages and sheds,” saysMolly Hall, executive director of theSafe Electricity program. “Weather,time and even mice can damage cordsand insulation on electric decorations,making them unsafe. Make sure youdiscard any damaged sets and buynew.” Safe Electricity offers these tips: • Carefully inspect each electricaldecoration. Cracking, fraying, or bare

wires may cause a serious shock orstart a fire. Replace any damagedproducts. • Before using any light strings,animated displays, or other electricalproducts outdoors, make sure theproduct is approved by a nationallyrecognized certification organizationsuch as Underwriters Laboratory(UL) and marked for outdoor use. • Follow the use and careinstructions that accompany yourelectrical decorations.

• Don’t overload extension cords orallow them to run through water onthe ground. Typically, one extensioncord should only have three strands oflights connected to it at most, but youshould also check that the extensioncord is rated for its intended use. • Plug outdoor electric lights anddecorations into outlets protected byground fault circuit interrupters(GFCIs). If your outdoor outlets don’thave them, either contact a qualifiedelectrician to install them or useportable GFCIs instead. • When decorating outside, alwaysbe sure to look up and double checkthat you and any equipment, such asa ladder or a light strand, are aminimum 10 feet away from overheadpower lines. When securing lightstrands, never staple or nail them intoplace. This could damage the product. • Keep electrical cords out ofwalkway areas to avoid causing atripping hazard. • Lastly, turn off all electrical lightstrings and decorations before leavinghome or going to sleep. A timer canhelp you do this. Avoid real scares this Halloween,and decorate safely.

M

October 2017 17

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13. Publication Title 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below

c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation [Sum of 15b. (1), ((2),3), and 4)]

a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run)

e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means)

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each IssueDuring Preceding 12 Months

No. Copies of Single IssuePublished Nearest to Filing Date

b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation

d. Free Distributuion by Mail (Samples, compliment ary, and other free)

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17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the issue of this publication.

18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Date

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this formor who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions(including penalties).

Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated onForm 3541. (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies)

Paid In-County Subscriptions (Include advertiser’s proof andexchange copies)

Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors,Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution

Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS

Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541

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Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS

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PS Form 3526-R, July 2014 (Reverse)

Rural Electric Nebraskan August 2017

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16. Electronic Copy Circulation

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United States Postal ServiceStatement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation1. Publication Title 2. Publication Number 3. Filing Date

4. Issue Frequency 5. Number of Issues Published Annually 6. Annual Subscription Price

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Telephone

Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

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Rural Electric Nebraskan August 31, 2017

Monthly

Nebraska Rural Electric Association1244 K Street, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501

Nebraska Rural Electric Association1244 K Street, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501

Nebraska Rural Electric Association1244 K Street, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501

P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501

Wayne Price, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501

(same as above)

12 $10.00 + tax

Wayne Price

(402) 475-4988

0 7 1 6 - 3 0 0 0

Nebraska Rural Electric Association

X

X

Full Name Complete Mailing Address

uring the winter, ice and snowstorms play havoc withoutdoor utility lines, and

storing food safely becomes achallenge if the power goes off. TheU.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) recommends these steps tofollow if you have a power outage.

Prepare Ahead of Time• Freeze water in one-quart plastic

storage bags or small containers. Theyare small enough to fit in around thefood in the refrigerator and freezer tohelp keep food cold and won’t make amess when the ice melts. Don’t fillthem too full. Because water expandswhen it freezes, the bags might split.Make extra ice at home.

• Dry ice or block ice. Know whereyou can get them.

• Have coolers on hand to keeprefrigerator food cold if the power willbe out for more than 4 hours.

• Don’t put food outdoors in ice orsnow because wild animals may belooking for a meal, and when the suncomes out it may warm your food to anunsafe temperature.

• Stock up on ready-to-eat foods. Besure to have a few days’ of foods thatdo not require cooking or cooling.

When the Power Goes Out• Keep the refrigerator and freezer

doors closed as much as possible. Arefrigerator will keep food cold forabout four hours if the door is keptclosed.

• A full freezer will hold itstemperature for about 48 hours (24hours if half-full).

• Place frozen meat and poultry ona tray so that if they begin thawing,their juices will not drip on otherfoods.

• Buy dry or block ice if the poweris going to be out for a long time. Ice

will keep the refrigerator as cold aspossible. Fifty pounds of dry ice shouldkeep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feetfreezer cold for two days.

When Power Comes Back On• Check the temperature inside

your refrigerator and freezer. Discardany perishable food (such as meat,poultry, seafood, eggs, or leftovers)that has been above 40 °F for twohours or more.

• Check each item separately.Throw out any food that has anunusual odor, color, or texture, or feelswarm to the touch.

• Check for ice crystals in frozenfood. The food in your freezer thatpartially or completely thawed may besafely refrozen if it still contains icecrystals or is at 40 °F or below.

• Never taste a food to decide if it’ssafe.

• When in doubt, throw it out.

DHow to keep food safe in a power outage

Rural Electric Nebraskan18

: My husband and I are tired ofpaying such high electric bills

during the winter. We think ourwinter bills are high because of ourbaseboard heaters, and our summerbills are high because of our windowAC units. Our neighbor just installeda ductless heat pump system in theirhome. Would that work for us?

: Mini-split ductless heat pumpsare becoming more popular for

good reason. They can heat efficientlyeven when winter temperatures dropbelow the freezing point, and they arean economical and energy efficientreplacement for window AC units. Ductless heat pumps are ofteninstalled as the primary heatingsource and paired with a backupsystem that kicks in when outsidetemperatures are extremely cold.Baseboard heaters are an electricresistance system, and use much more

energy than a heat pump, which isjust moving heat in or out of the home.If you make this change, you shouldreduce your heating costsconsiderably. Heat pumps workharder as the outside air temperaturedrops, but combining the heat pumpwith a backup heating system solvesthat problem. I recently spoke with Joe Hull, anEnergy Services Advisor withMidstate Electric Cooperative inOregon. Members there have foundthat ductless systems with a backupheating system can work effectively toas low as -28 Fahrenheit. Ductless heat pump systems couldbe an ideal solution if your homedoesn’t have a duct system. If yourexisting ductwork is in poor condition,installing a ductless heat pump maybe more practical or less expensivethan repairing, sealing and insulatingducts.

A ductless heat pump has two maincomponents: the outdoor compressorand the indoor air handler. Coolantand electrical lines run through aconduit from the compressor outsidethe home through the wall to theinside air handler(s). Ductless heat pumps can beconfigured in different ways. Acommon approach that could deliverthe most value is to provide heatingand cooling to one large zone in thehome by using a single compressorand a single air handler. Or you coulduse one compressor to power as manyas four inside air handlers, each withits own thermostat. A home couldeven have more than one outsidecompressor. Scott Mayfield, an expert fromKootenai Electric Cooperative inIdaho, said installing a ductlesssystem had benefits beyond costsavings. “With baseboard heaters, theheat used to rise along the walls, butwith the new ductless system, it flowsthroughout the rooms evenly. It wouldhave been worth switching to ductlessfor the comfort alone.” In some parts of the country,ductless mini-splits are becomingmore popular in new homeconstruction as well. In fact, a friendof mine in Hood River, Oregon had aductless system installed in her newhome. Ductless heat pumps are often agreat solution, but as you explore thisoption it would be wise to consider: • What are the other investmentsyou could make to reduce your energycosts or improve comfort? Is theductless heat pump the best option? Athorough energy audit of your homewill help answer these questions. • Are rebates offered by yourelectric utility? • What is the best size andefficiency level for a ductless heatpump in your situation? • Are there contractors in your areawith experience installing ductlessheat pumps?

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Heat and cool your home without blowing your budget

by Pat Keegan

Q

A

Rural Electric Nebraskan20

traight from the farm to yourtable is one of the best waysyou can ensure you’re

delivering a nutritious and deliciousmeal for family or friends. Wholesome meals can bringeveryone together around the dinnertable; even little ones can enjoyflaky, baked fish, a nutritious potato-based side dish and a trendy-twiston a farm-fresh beverage with thesefun, flavorful recipes. When it comes to baking fish,flaky and fresh can make for a greatcombination. For a classic meal witha seasoned flare, try this deliciousbaked fish with lemon pepperseasoning and onions. Find moretraditional, tasty recipes atUSDA.gov.

Down Home Recipes

Farm-fresh is what many families desire

S

1 1/2 pounds mixed Wisconsin fingerling potatoes 2 large lemons, divided 2 cups water 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 1/2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds 3/4 teaspoon whole coriander seeds pepper, to taste 4 green onions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill salt, to taste 2 cups baby arugula

In large pot of boiling, salted water,cook potatoes until just tender whenpierced with fork, about 15 minutes.Drain and cool slightly.

Slice one lemon into 1/8-inch-thickrounds. In small saucepan, combinesliced lemon, water and kosher salt;bring to boil. Reduce heat andsimmer until lemon slices are tender,about 10 minutes. Drain lemons thencoarsely chop.

Cut remaining lemon in half andsqueeze out 2 tablespoons juice. Insmall bowl, mix chopped lemons,lemon juice, white balsamic vinegarand oil. Coarsely crush cumin andcoriander seeds using mortar andpestle. Mix seeds into lemon dressing.Season, to taste, with pepper.

Cut lukewarm potatoes in halflengthwise. Place in large, shallowbowl. Mix in green onions and dill.Pour lemon dressing over and toss tocoat. Season, to taste, with salt andpepper. Add arugula and toss gently.Serve lukewarm or at roomtemperature.

Fingerling Potato SaladFarm-Fresh Festivities

Themed parties can be challenging,especially when you wanteverything to be perfect for yourguests. Make your party simple andfestive with these tips for planningyour own farm-to-table gathering.

Mason jars A farm-to-table classic, mason jarscan be used for drinks or even to fillwith flowers to make a beautiful,seasonal centerpiece for the table.Mason jars are clean, cute and easyto wash when the gathering is over.

Seasonal fareIt’s easy to get inspired with thevariety of things you can find atyour local farmers market.Ingredients like onions can be usedin this Baked Fish recipe while abatch of locally sourced potatoes isthe perfect foundation for aFingerling Potato Salad.

October 2017 21

Reader Submitted Recipes

Nonstick cooking spray 1 pound fish fillets (whitefish, trout or tilapia) 1 onion, sliced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.Place 12-inch piece of foil on

counter. Coat foil with nonstickcooking spray. Place fillets in middleof foil. If fillets have skin, place skin-side down.

Spread sliced onions, salt, pepperand oil on top of fillets. Add lemonpepper seasoning, if desired. Fold foilover fish.

Place foil pouch on baking sheetand place in oven. Bake fish 15-20minutes until fish reaches aminimum internal temperature of145 F on a food thermometer and isflaky when tested with fork.

Divide into four portions and serve.

Baked Fish

Pumpkin SquaresCrust: 1 package yellow cake mix 1/2 cup melted butter 1 beaten eggMix and press into greased 9” X 13” pan or a jelly roll pan.

Filling: 3 cups pumpkin 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice 2 eggsBeat until smooth, pour on crust.

Topping: 1 cup cake mix 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamonMix with fork until crumbly. Put on top of filling and bake in 350 degree ovenfor 45 minutes. The topping should be crisp.

Chris Hilkemann, Pierce, Nebraska

Bratwurst Stew 2 10 3/4 oz. cans of fat-free chicken broth 4 medium sized carrots, sliced 2 ribs of celery, cut in chunks 1 medium sized onion, chopped

1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 3 cups chopped cabbage 2 1 lb. cans of great northern beans, drained 5 fully cooked bratwurst links, cut into 1/2” slices

Joanne Jurjens, Farnam, Nebraska

Muskmelon Conserve 5 cups chopped, drained muskmelon pulp 4 cups sugar

Mona Mousel, Edison, Nebraska

Boil until foam is about gone and fruit looks clear (half hour at least);then add one package lemon or orange gelatin and cook up again. Pour intohot sterilized jars; seal. Optional: add 1 cup of pineapple to a recipe for avariation. Good on ice cream for “melon sundaes.”

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on high 3-4 hours or untilveggies are tender.

Rural Electric Nebraskan22

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