A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

GARY RAYBON

Energy Efficiency Helps Everyone

As flowers start to bud and the landscape becomes a little greener, I start to think about changes I need to make around the house. Whether it’s cleaning the garage or changing out my winter clothes for lighter ones, spring cleaning comes for everyone.

And what better time than spring to implement small changes that can save energy—and ultimately money? When you optimize your energy use, it benefits not only your pocketbook but also your neighbors by lowering costs for everyone. If we all make an effort, that effect is magnified.

Wharton County Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit power provider. That means our mission is to provide you with the electricity you need to improve your quality of life—not turn a profit for shareholders. An important part of that mission entails empowering you to manage your electricity use.  

But where do you start when it comes to energy efficiency?

Improving the envelope, or physical barrier, of your home is a good place to begin. Sunlight, seasonal temperature changes, and wind can loosen up even a tight home, increasing air leakage. Doors and windows may not close tightly, and ductwork can spring leaks, wasting cooled and heated air. 

When you use caulk to seal gaps around pipes, dryer vents, fans, and outlets, it helps tighten the envelope and improve efficiency. Apply weatherstripping around overlooked spaces like your attic hatch or pull-down stairs. 

Take a look at your programmable thermostat. When was the last time you checked that it was programmed for the current season and family schedule? This is one of the best 
energy-saving tools at your fingertips. 

After heating and cooling, water heating is the next-largest energy expense in a home. Installing a blanket on your water heater will help it operate more efficiently. You should also set on your water heater to 120 degrees to save even more (and prevent scalds). 

WCEC is here to help you manage your energy use. It’s good for everyone.

I also want to take time to thank our extraordinary lineworkers who dedicate their lives to keeping the lights on in our communities. Across WCEC’s service territory, our line crews maintain over 1,200 miles of line. Without them, our world would be dark.   

We depend on our entire staff to keep WCEC running smoothly. Still, April 13 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day, when we honor the lineworkers who often face dangerous and challenging situations so that our lives may be a little bit brighter and safer every day. 

These brave men repair damaged lines and maintain critical infrastructure for our communities. Without their hard work and commitment to the job, our co-op would not thrive. 

No matter the time—day or night, weekday or weekend—if the lights go out, so do they.  

Perhaps you’ve seen them raising their bucket trucks in howling winds and torrential rains or in freezing, icy conditions. They work around the clock near high-voltage power lines until electricity is restored to every member in our co-op community.   

Our lineworkers are courageous, committed, and critical to our success. We hope you will join us in thanking the many lineworkers—locally and around the world—who light our lives.

Remember, your power works because they do!