August's 2005 Articles

Commentary By the CEO: Turn your thoughts to home heating

By Robert Kolling
President & CEO

August. Not exactly the time of year anyone is thinking about home heating options. But you should be, if you’re planning on making a change. The earlier you start planning, the better equipped you’ll be when it’s time to turn up the thermostat.

Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative offers 3 very viable electric thermal storage (ETS) options. On the next two pages you can learn what’s available, how it works and how much it might cost. Fuel cost comparisons were also done and I think you might be surprised. As the price of propane and fuel oil continue to climb, electricity, especially our off-peak ETS, becomes more and more attractive.

If you’re not in the market to replace your current heating system, there are still things that you can do now to improve your comfort this upcoming heating season. It’s all about improving the energy efficiency of your home. We know that energy efficiency is no longer synonymous with sacrifice. Today, it can mean doing simple things such as replacing a standard 75-watt incandescent bulb with an 18-watt compact fluorescent bulb. You’ll still receive the same amount of light, but only use 20-25 percent of the electricity.

Sealing leaks that allow air to escape the home and replacing equipment with high-efficiency models can significantly reduce annual energy costs. Weatherstripping around doors and windows can drastically improve the overall comfort level of your home by eliminating drafts. Don’t forget to check your receptacles and switches, especially those on exterior walls. Special gaskets can be used to eliminate drafts from these locations.

Other steps also cut costs and improve comfort: tuning up heating and cooling equipment annually; regularly replacing the air filters; checking and sealing the duct system; and using a programmable thermostat’s multiple temperature settings to get the most savings.

EPA’s Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating provides timely information and more details about how to save energy and money this winter, while helping to protect the environment. It can be found at: http://www.energystar.gov (this is a pdf). Along with many suggestions for home improvements, it recommends that when heating equipment reaches 15 or more years of age, EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommend that homeowners consider a more energy-efficient replacement.

If you need further information on our electric thermal storage program or on making your home more energy efficient, please contact our Member Services Department or check out our website at: www.sussexrec.com/brochures/brochures.html

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The other great heat...ETS

By Jaci Teune
Marketing Manager

With fossil fuel prices going through the roof, isn’t it time you considered an alternative heating source? Here at Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative, we have just the products for you! Three different electric thermal storage (ETS) systems that are designed to fit virtually anyone’s needs, can replace your old, worn-out fossil fuel heating system and provide you with a safe, clean, energy-efficient alternative.

In the past, our ETS systems were just designed to replace electric baseboard. This was a great alternative for members who needed a break from high winter heating bills. The addition of the two Comfort Plus systems from Steffes have widened our program to members who want to get rid of their fossil fuel furnaces, but don’t want to rip out their ducts or hot-water baseboard systems. These two new systems can even work with central air conditioning, providing year round comfort with only one energy bill!

What is ETS?
Initially designed for members who have electric heat but use supplemental heat, such as wood, ETS provides an affordable alternative to the backbreaking labor involved with a woodstove. Competitive against propane and now even fuel oil, ETS doesn’t have any of the worries associated with fossil fuels.

Used successfully in Europe for years, ETS is making strides in the U.S. market. This type of heat takes advantage of competitive off-peak electric rates creating a win-win situation for both member and cooperative. The member receives a warm home at a reduced rate and the cooperative shifts its peak load, thus reducing its demand.

ETS works like a thermos, allowing the storage of heat until it is needed. The ETS unit is charged (heated) with low cost, off-peak electricity, then releases this stored heat whenever needed to maintain the level of comfort desired. During off-peak periods, electric heating elements surrounded by heat storage bricks are energized. These bricks have a high heat retention characteristic. Super-efficient insulation around these bricks helps to keep the heat inside the unit. Which system you use determines the method by which the heat exchange occurs.

A special ETS service - including meter and panel - is required. This service is fed into a Load Control Receiver (LCR), which enables us to turn the service off during our peak periods. Even when the elements are turned off, you still have heat. The room thermostats, along with other essential heating components, operate with power from your main circuit panel.

What options are there for an ETS system?
As previously mentioned, you have a choice of two Comfort Plus systems by Steffes and individual room units by Stiebel-Eltron. The following describes all three choices.

The Comfort Plus unit is designed to be the main heating system (forced air). The Comfort Plus unit can be used as a stand-alone furnace or can be installed with a heat pump to realize even greater efficiency and energy savings. During off-peak hours, the Comfort Plus unit converts electricity into heat and stores that heat in specially designed, high-density ceramic bricks. The Comfort Plus system has the heat storage capacity to provide total comfort 24 hours a day, while allowing the user to utilize low cost off-peak electric rates to achieve very economical and affordable heating.

The Comfort Plus unit is easy to operate. The amount of heat stored in the brick core is automatically regulated in relation to outdoor temperature and the heating requirements of the user. When the room thermostat calls for heat, heat is extracted from the unit’s storage core and is distributed evenly into the home until the heat call has been satisfied.

The Comfort Plus unit has sensing devices that monitor the core, the supply and the discharge air temperatures to ensure maximum safety while providing optimum comfort. A heat pump, air conditioner, electronic air cleaner, central humidifier, programmable thermostat, etc., can easily be integrated to offer year round comfort.

The Comfort Plus Hydronic system adds a new dimension to heating by blending hydronic heating with ETS. During off-peak hours, when electricity costs and energy usage generally are substantially lower, the Comfort Plus Hydronic unit converts electricity into heat and stores that heat in specially designed high-density ceramic bricks located inside the unit. Through the use of a heat exchanger, this stored heat is transferred as needed from the storage media to a water or glycol solution, which is circulated to areas where the heat is needed. The Comfort Plus Hydronic system has the ability to utilize off-peak rates to generate considerable savings for the consumer while delivering the many benefits associated with hydronic heating.

The system is extremely flexible and can handle multiple heating zones. Heat can be delivered via a radiant floor system, baseboard radiation, freestanding radiators, a forced air system or almost any combination of zoned delivery systems. The Comfort Plus Hydronic can also be used as a supplement to a single or multiple heat pumps. The Comfort Plus Hydronic system is easy to operate. Just set the room thermostat to the desired comfort level and enjoy the safe, clean reliable and economical heat this off-peak hydronic system provides.

Stiebel-Eltron supplies us with top of the line individual ETS room units. A dry, ceramic storage medium inside the individual room heaters “charge” using off-peak electricity. A highly efficient thermal insulation system keeps the high temperatures inside the heater and prevents random leaking of heat into the room. The insulation also keeps the ETS cabinet cool enough that it can be comfortably touched even during a full charge.

Heat is discharged into the room when the wall thermostat or built-in thermostat requires it. A quiet fan located in the base of each heater circulates cool room air over the heated core and forces this air into the room to maintain the desired temperature.

Whatever your preference, we’ve got the heat you just can’t beat! Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative sizes and sells these units. The next step is to call 973-875-5101 and schedule an energy audit. Presently, we are offering a $750 installation incentive* (*Incentive subject to change or cancellation) to qualifying members.

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Electricity is looking better every day!

By Carol Speck
Member Services Manager

Listen to the news, energy seems to be getting more expensive every day. The cost of running a heating system in our area is probably the second largest expense in your monthly budget. So when it comes time to replace your heating unit, it is also the time to look into alternative heating systems.

Sussex Rural has had an Electric Thermal Storage program in place since 1991. To date, we have 109 members enjoying the benefits of ETS. Ah, but you say, “It’s still electric heat.” And, you’d be right. It is electric heat. Is electricity expensive? Well, sometimes it does add up but take a look at the chart below. It shows the price increases seen in four different fuels between 2003 and 2004. What is it saying about electricity?

Now that we’ve got your attention, how about a real life example? We perform a few energy audits for heating and cooling our members homes every week. Part of having an energy audit done by Sussex Rural Electric is the cost-to-run comparison. This table compares the cost of running five completely different heating systems. Not only do we show you the expected yearly cost, but we also show the estimated cost per month. (Our monthly data is based upon the average number of degree days per month in the past ten years. While our seasonal total is usually within about $20.00 of what you see, the monthly totals can vary widely as there is always a month that just won’t follow the rules - as evidenced by this past April & May.)

The house profiled is about 1,100 square feet in total with about 9,900 cubic feet of (volume) air to heat. The insulation in the majority of this house is very good, R-30 in most ceilings, R-13 walls, R-19 floors. This profile was compiled assuming the house to be heated to 68 degrees for 12 hours of the day, dropping to 66 degrees at night.

Are you surprised at the totals? Most people are. For a very long time, electric heat got a bad reputation. It was placed in homes with average or below average insulation levels and often undersized. This resulted in a home that was not only expensive to heat, but also uncomfortable due to drafts and leaks. As other fuels escalated in price and construction methods improved, so have the options for heating. Baseboard electric heat is still topping the cost-to-heat list, but now it is CLOSELY followed by oil and propane.

When it’s time to change your heating system, either due to age, malfunctions, extreme usage costs or for improved efficiency, consider an alternative system. Have our representative come out, perform an energy audit and see for yourself the savings you can reap. You may even be thinking about adding whole house air conditioning; that too poses an opportunity to add or change the heating system. Keep all your options open, gather your data and make an informed decision - and let SREC, your full service, consumer-owned electric cooperative, help make your home warm and affordable.

Electricity: A Better Value
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), homeowners paid $2 per gallon for heating oil this past winter, up 33 percent over last year. For the average homeowner in the Northeast, this meant that it cost an extra $600 to heat their home this winter compared to the last.

Propane prices have also been rising, up 19 percent in the past year. The average price has risen from $1.43 to $1.70 per gallon, according to the EIA. This meant an extra $190 to a homeowner buying 1,000 gallons a year.

Natural gas has similarly been increasing in price. Its price is up 14 percent in the past year, and has almost doubled in price since 2000. Many homeowners spent more than $200 more to heat their homes with gas this winter compared to the last. Electricity has the most stable prices of any of the energies. On a national average, it has increased in price only 3.2 percent.

Thus, electricity has improved its competitive position with other energies. Electricity price increases have been modest despite having to pay more for the fuels needed to generate electricity. The EIA data indicate that utilities paid 12 percent more for coal and 10 percent more for gas in 2004 than in 2003.

Electricity is a better value today than ever before. And, it is the only energy offering stable prices.

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, “Solutions NewsExtra”, May 13, 2005

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The ABC's of Dorm Room Safety

If your child’s home-away-from-home is a college dorm room, there are a few things you should know. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,600 fires a year occur in U.S. dorm rooms, fraternity or sorority houses. Older wiring, ill-suited to handle the electrical load from laptops, refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, and other appliances students use may well be part of the problem.

The Leviton Institute offers some advice to help parents and college-bound kids engage in safe electrical practices. Start by conducting a visual inspection of the dorm room or suite, making sure to check the following areas:

• Overloaded Circuits: Next to candles and cigarettes, overloaded circuits are the second leading cause of campus fires. If an appliance cord or the outlet feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately.

• Power Strips/Adapters: Most dorms are equipped with an insufficient number of outlets. To compensate, students frequently use power strips to add more connections. These ramp up the load requirements and can overload the electrical system. Only power strips with an over-current protector (circuit breaker), which automatically shuts off if too much current is being drawn, should be used. To protect electronics like computers from damaging spikes and surges, these devices should be plugged into a surge strip.

• Appliances: Microwaves, coffeemakers and electric irons should never be situated near bedding, draperies or clothing. These items can get hot enough to ignite clothing or paper.

• Evacuation Procedures: Encourage your child to take on-campus fire drills seriously. Ask them where the nearest exits are and whether they know evacuation procedures and escape plans. You won’t always be there to watch out for your child, so send along a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector if these devices are not available and you can add to your peace of mind.

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News & Events

SUSSEX / WANTAGE:

• The American Legion Post 213 located in Wantage on Route 23, north of Sussex. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The Ladies Auxiliary is the second Tuesday of the month.

• The DAR Van Bunschooten Museum is open May 14 through October 15, Thursdays and Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. and also by appointment. The 200-year old home is located at 1097 Route 23 in Wantage. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children. For more information, call (973) 875-4058 or 875-5335.

• Sussex Kiwanis meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Bella Vita Restaurant located on Route 23 & Libertyville Rd., Wantage. For information please contact Tom Madsen at 973-875-9716.

• Firemen’s Bingo will be played every Sunday evening at the Beemerville Fire Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. Bingo starts at 6:15. Refreshments available. For more information please call 875-2972.

• Ladies Auxiliary of the Sussex Fire Department was formed many years ago for the sole purpose of actively supporting the Sussex Fire Department. The Sussex Fire Department is a volunteer, self-funded, non-profit organization. We support the organization by our very active fundraising campaign (to provide the emergency service volunteers with costly safety equipment that they would not be able to purchase otherwise) and by providing refreshment at rescue scenes and Bingo. Contact Michelle Clark at phone: 973-875-6848 / fax: 973-948-0292

• Bingo Mondays - 6:00pm Monday. Games begin at 7:15pm Vernon VFW, Route 94, Vernon call 973-764-9380

• Blood Pressure Screening - The Vernon Township Health Department conducts a free blood pressure screening every month from 10-11am on the first and third Tuesdays. The screening is open to all Vernon residents. No appointment is necessary.

• Vernon Kiwanis meets at 7:30am on the second, third and fourth Tuesdays of every month at Vernon High School. Call 973-827-1188.

• Women’s Auxiliary - We extend an invitation to all old and new members of H.L.C.C. in good standing, to join The Women’s Auxiliary. Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m., (commenced June 28th). Meet new people and enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with old and new friends. We also have a FREE babysitting service for all the little ones.

We have social events between July and August -i.e.- Atlantic City, Race Track, Dinner Theatre, Card Party, (Great Prizes), a catered covered Dish and last end of season Luncheon at one of our fine Restaurants. Coffee and cake served before meeting, Annual Dues $5.00 - $3.00 for seniors. We need young gals and moms to join us. The children are well taken care of and fed. Join us and have an hour or more with adults.

• Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers of time, talent or materials. Call John or Terry Iliff at 973-383-8882.

• Veterans’ Transportation - Free door-to-door bus service is provided to Lyons and East Orange VA Medical Facilities for Sussex County veterans. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Service to the Castle Point VA Health Center near Beacon NY is provided once per month. For specific service days call 973-579-0480 and press 1 from the menu.

• The Center for Families with Special Needs, Inc. is a support group with a mission to provide parents with connections to already existing services that would benefit special needs children and their families. For more info, call 973-827-4419

• Pass it Along Sussex County is in desperate need of canned goods and non-perishable food for the local food panties. Pass it Along is asking groups of all ages to hold a food drive. Whether you are in a youth group, Boy Scout troop, church, or place of business, please consider collecting food for Sussex County’s families in need. Call 973-726-9777 or Email: volunteer@passitalong.org

• Daytimers Retirees’ Group -Make some new friends by joining this very interactive retirees’ group where they exchange ideas and share experiences, hobbies and plans for the future. Free. To register, call 800-336-5273 or visit www.saintclares.org and register online.

• Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers to deliver a mid-day meal to homebound seniors in Sussex County. It would just take an hour of your time one day a week. Call 973-383-3123.

POSTING OF ANNOUNCEMENTS:
If you would like to list your clubs and/or organization event you can call, stop by or even e-mail us with the information. Currents is published monthly, all submissions must be to SREC by the 10th of the prior month of the event.

E-mail to: info@sussexrec.com. We reserve the right to edit any requests.