Energy Efficiency Is Good for Everyone MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER KERRY KELTON

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1 MESSAGE FROM GENERAL MANAGER KERRY KELTON Energy Efficiency Is Good for Everyone ARE YOU LOOKING FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO MAKE ENDS MEET IN your monthly budget? Many budget-savvy consumers explore ways to stretch every dollar, from clipping coupons and passing down clothes to planning meals around what s on sale at the grocery store. One potential savings hot spot is your electric bill. A few home improvements and simple changes in behavior can add up to big savings over the long run. Your local home improvement store offers inexpensive products that can make your residence more efficient. A few tubes of latex or silicone caulk for your windows help keep conditioned air in and outside air out. Installing a blanket on your water heater will help it operate more efficiently. And insulating hot water pipes can cut water heating costs by 4 percent. Changes in your daily routine also can translate into electric bill savings. Approximately 55 percent of the electricity used in the average home goes toward heating and cooling. The ideal winter setting for your thermostat is 68 degrees. Rather than 18 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY March 2018 turning up the heat on a cold day, adding a layer of clothing will keep you comfy while shaving power costs. In summer, set the thermostat at 78 degrees and dress in light clothing. Seeking even bigger savings? Check your home s insulation. According to energystar.gov, the insulation in your home s attic should cover joists and be evenly distributed. It is also important to use insulation with the appropriate R-value for your region. In Texas, an R-value of is recommended. The colder the climate, the higher the R-value you will need to maximize savings. At energystar.gov, you ll find a variety of tools and tips to help maximize your home s energy efficiency. Mid-South Synergy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. That means our mission is to provide you with the electricity you need to improve your quality of life not turn a profit for a shareholder. An important part of that mission entails empowering you to manage your electricity use. We want you to have more affordable power bills. It s good for everyone.

2 Relay for Life Chili Dog Fundraiser RELAY FOR LIFE GRIMES COUNTY BRULE FIELD, NAVASOTA TX :00 PM - 12:00 AM Mid-South Synergy employees like Heather are passionate about helping others in their communities. THE STAFF THAT SERVES THE MEMBERS OF MID-SOUTH SYNERGY is a dynamic bunch that embodies the word community. Our team serves local churches, civic groups, schools, youth sports leagues and charitable organizations such as Relay for Life. Every year, a large group of employees comes together and raises money for the annual Relay for Life event in Grimes County. They gather their own resources and donate time to put on fundraisers such as bake sales, luncheons and a community garage sale. Recently, the Mid-South Synergy Relay for Life team held a chili dog fundraiser during a monthly safety meeting. The team raised $630, bringing the total raised to date to $1,700. Every dollar goes to the American Cancer Society to help fight for a cure and win the battle against cancer. When team member Heather was asked why she commits her time to Relay for Life, she said, I initially started volunteering to meet new people at work and get to know everyone better. I continue to volunteer because I believe in the good things that come from the time invested and money we raise. The next time you hear the name Mid-South Synergy, remember that we are more than just poles and wires. We are local community members like Heather, raising money to fight cancer. We are a community. To help in the fight against cancer, visit acsevents.org to donate and find a Relay for Life event near you. Employees cook and serve food at the fundraiser. March 2018 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY 19

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5 Laundry Day Savings If you re looking for ways to make your home more energy efficient, call Jonathan at Mid-South Synergy for an energy audit and other savings opportunities. Mid-South Synergy Offering Energy Audit and Rebate Programs TO SAVE MONEY IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM, use cold water and less water overall. Unless the stains on your clothes are oil-based, warm or cool water in your washing machine will do just as good a job of removing them as hot water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Here are some ways to clean your clothes without cleaning out your bank account: a Wash clothes in cold water and use cold-water detergents. a Wash and dry full loads only. If you must run the washer before it s full, adjust the water level so the whole machine doesn t fill up unnecessarily. a Towels and heavy cotton items like jeans tend to take longer to dry than lightweight clothing. Don t dry the two types together. a Let the dryer decide how long your clothes need to tumble. Newer models have moisture sensors and automatically stop the cycle when clothes are dry. a Clean the dryer s lint screen after each load. Letting the lint build up creates a fire hazard. a If you have a high-efficiency washer, use detergents labeled HE. The American Cleaning Institute says these low-sudsing detergents clean clothes well in machines that use less water. SPRING MEANS COOL AIR, GREEN GRASS AND AN ALL-AROUND REFRESHING TIME OF year. We enjoy the new growth that spring delivers and opportunity to start those DIY projects at home. Invest some time this spring assessing the energy efficiency of your home so you will be prepared when spring gives way to the summer heat. Mid-South Synergy offers free in-home energy audits for residential members and rebates that help cover the cost of home improvements. It seems strange to some that we teach our members how to use less of what we sell, electricity, said Jonathan, one of our energy efficiency experts. That is just one of the many things that make electric co-ops special. Call today and speak with Jonathan to schedule your free energy audit and learn about our home improvement rebates. 22 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY March 2018

6 Join Us for Your Annual Meeting Here s why you should attend ON BEHALF OF MID-SOUTH SYNERGY, WE D LIKE TO PERSONALLY INVITE YOU TO JOIN us June 15 at the Walker County Fairgrounds. Each year, we look forward to getting together with our co-op community to hear what you have to say, enjoy fellowship among friends and family, and give everyone the chance to win prizes. The co-op s annual meeting is not only a chance to visit with friends. It s also a great opportunity to learn about programs offered by the cooperative and get to know our staff. For us, the annual meeting provides an important forum for gathering feedback about how we can better serve you and your family. It s also an opportunity for you to exercise one of the greatest rights of electric co-op membership: voting for the board of directors. Your cooperative is not owned by faraway investors nor run by a board of directors appointed by such investors. It s owned by you, the members, and run by a democratically elected board of directors made up of fellow members afforded the privilege to serve because of your votes. A democratic and open election is one of many elements that sets our electric cooperative apart from other kinds of utilities. Having a voice in who makes the major decisions that directly affect your life and family is a right we all share as Americans. We all vote for our state and federal representatives, but not every American has the right to vote for those who represent community interests within their electric utility. You have that right, so why not exercise it? Our directors are members of the community. They are concerned with the issues you face every day because they face them, too. And rest assured, no matter what happens, we remain dedicated to providing you with safe, reliable and affordable electric service. We encourage you to take part in deciding how we deliver that service. So circle June 15 on your calendar and make sure to join us at the annual meeting. We ll save you a seat! SAVE THE DATE! Mid-South Synergy Annual Meeting Friday, June 15 Walker County Fairgrounds Huntsville March 2018 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY 23

7 OLGAKR ISTOCK.COM SWEET SAVORY BRUSSELS SPROUTS 1 cup finely diced pancetta 1 tablespoon butter 1 package (10 ounces) shredded Brussels sprouts ⅓ cup dried cranberries ⅓ cup slivered almonds 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon maple syrup 2 tablespoons water Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Cook the pancetta in a medium, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it s almost crisp, then transfer to a plate. Discard all but 1 teaspoon of the drippings. 2. Add butter, Brussels sprouts, cranberries and almonds, and cook, stirring, until heated through. 3. Add the pancetta, brown sugar, maple syrup and water, and toss until well-coated. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve warm. Find this and more delicious recipes online at TexasCoopPower.com. 24 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY March 2018

8 Synergy Spot Want Solar Power? SYNERGY SOLAR NOW OFFERS MEMBERS a price of 11.5 cents per kilowatt-hour per month, or $11.50 per block/month, which is guaranteed for five years. Our members can rest easy knowing that their rate is secured for the future. To our residential members who participate, Synergy Solar proves to be accessible, affordable and renewable by offering a maintenance-free program. To find out more information and for a special offer, please call us at (936) or us at synergyspot@. TEXAS CO-OP POWER MID-SOUTH SYNERGY EDITION March HIGHWAY 6 NAVASOTA, TX TEL TOLL-FREE FAX MIDSOUTHSYNERGY.COM MOMCILOG ISTOCK.COM Happy Easter Mid-South Synergy offices will be closed March 30 in observance of Good Friday. Daylight Saving Time Remember to set your clocks forward one hour on March 11. We d love to hear from you! Have an interesting story or local community event? Or simply tell us how we re doing! Synergy Spot P.O. Box 970 Navasota, TX synergyspot@ STEVE DEBENPORT ISTOCK.COM March 2018 MID-SOUTH SYNERGY 25