In this issue...

Official publication of

www.meeker.coop

Meeker Cooperative

August 2015Pioneer

Recycling event Aug. 19 & 20................6

State Fair bus trip Aug. 27 ........................3

Art meets technology in lost art of bronze sculpting ......................4 A reminder to

attend the Co-op’s Member

Appreciation event at the Forest City Stockade on Friday evening, August 14, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Meeker member families will receive FREE admission to the Stockade, a FREE buffalo sandwich, chips, baked beans and bottle of water, plus two FREE tokens to use inside the Stockade for additional food. Additional tokens (wooden nickels) for sale inside the Stockade.

For your information, below are some of the items available for purchase. Tokens are 50¢ each.

• Buffalo sandwiches — 8 tokens • Baked beans — 1 token• Fry bread — 2 tokens • Homemade ice cream — 4 tokens

• Old fashioned root beer — 2 tokens • Lemonade, coffee, water — 1 token

Electric cooperatives are in the forefront of solar energy production across Minnesota. Your Cooperative is excited to be involved

in bringing solar energy to its members who desire to participate in this emerging technology.

Currently, Meeker has leased 32 panels, with additional sales being discussed. A total of 49 leased panels is necessary before construction can begin, so we’re a little more than 60 percent toward our goal to build!

The Co-op has committed to building one 39.8 kW array with 97 410-watt panels. Each panel is estimated to produce 582 kWh per year (average over 20 years).

Benefits to the member:• Avoids the hassles of constructing, owning,

insuring, and maintaining an array personally

• Less costly for member than having array on their own property

• Participation with other Co-op members in a solar project

• Know a portion of their electricity is generated locally, from a renewable source of energy

• Alternative for members who cannot have an array in their own yard due to site issues or cost

• Long-term investment opportunity and hedge against rising electric rates in the future

• Renters can purchase solar with this program• Lease solar from trusted local energy experts• Members may lease as a gift or legacy for member

children or grandchildren or for a charitable organization

We offer three distinct lease packages to suit your needs. Call the Co-op soon at 320-693-3231 or toll-free 800-232-6257 and ask to speak to John.

Put the sun to work for you

60%

To raise money for Operation Round Up® members may purchase one or more balloons for $1 each. The balloons will be released with the members’ names attached and contact information for the Co-op. If the balloons are found and the Co-op is notified, the person finding the balloon(s) and the member(s) releasing the balloons may receive prizes if they are the first to achieve one of these categories:

• First Card Found• Farthest Location Found• Most Unique Location Found

Release balloons for a good cause!

Member Appreciation at Forest City Stockade August 14

Page 2 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

USPS 018-308 ISSN 1525-1055Periodicals Postage Paid at Litchfield, MN.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

Meeker Pioneer, 1725 US Hwy. 12, Suite 100Litchfield, MN 55355.

The Meeker Pioneer is published monthly for $5 per year for members and $10 per year for non-members by

Meeker Cooperative, 1725 U.S. Hwy. 12, Suite 100 Litchfield, MN 55355

CEO/General Manager: Tim MergenEditor: Becky Sorenson

The Meeker Pioneer is the official member publication of Meeker Cooperative and focuses on our members, programs and events. All member story ideas and comments are welcome. Send to Becky Sorenson at the address above.

Office Hours:Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For 24-hour service call 320-693-3231 or 800-232-6257

Fax: 320-693-2980 Web site: www.meeker.coop

Use the “Contact Us” form on the home page

Meeker Cooperative Mission Statement

“To enhance the quality of life of the Cooperative’s Members and Customers by providing safe, reliable, competitively

priced energy and other value-added services, while practicing environmental stewardship.”

Mark Larson, President — District 6Harrison, Kandiyohi, Gennessee, Fahlun, Lake Elizabeth, E. Lake Lillian in Kandiyohi; Cosmos, Acton, Danielson, Swede Grove in Meeker; Brookfield, Boon Lake in Renville

K. Bruce Krueger, Vice Pres. — District 7Collinwood, Cedar Mills in Meeker; Stockholm in Wright; Acoma, Hutchinson in McLeod

Juanita Olson, Secretary — District 1 Roseville, Irving in Kandiyohi; Paynesville in Stearns; Union Grove in Meeker

Karen Becker, Treasurer — District 2Eden Lake in Stearns; Harvey, Manannah in Meeker

Brad Donnay — District 3Luxemburg, Maine Prairie, South Maine Prairie in Stearns; Forest Prairie in Meeker

Kevin Issendorf — District 4Litchfield, Greenleaf in Meeker

Matt Woetzel — District 5Fairhaven in Stearns; Cokato, Southside, French Lake in Wright; Dassel in Meeker

Ben Beckman — District 8Darwin, Ellsworth in Meeker

Karl Lundin — District 9North Kingston, Kingston, Forest City in Meeker

Kim Keithahn — Attorney

Board of Directors Meeker Pioneer

By Tom Tate

G adgets, gadgets everywhere! With the current tech explosion,

“techies” find themselves in a veritable paradise. Let’s take a look at some really cool and, at the same time, useful gadgets on the market today.

Security for the home and family is a top concern. How about a door lock that you can control from a smart phone? August, Lockitron, Goji, Kevo Lock from Kwikset and others offer such locks. Installation varies by model, but they provide such nifty features as remote monitoring of lock status, temporary guest/contractor access, multiple users and more. Wifi and Bluetooth are the two networks used.

Smart thermostats like Nest and Lyric get all the press, but practically anything you can imagine in your home can be controlled from that “super computer” nestled in your pocket or purse. A popular website, www.Smarthome.com, offers a variety of products. A search on “smart phone home automation” produced 4,695 results – how’s that for control?

Here is one example. The WeMo line by Belkin allows you to control individual lights and appliances through the use of their little plugs. Insert the WeMo plug in an outlet, connect the light or appliance and then, via your existing wifi network

and the WeMo app, you can create schedules and exercise control over your home.

Phillips makes an individually controllable LED bulb called Hue. Using their app, you can control the light level, on/off schedule and color. They even developed a custom scenario for a recent SyFy series to recreate the mood of the series itself. A bit much perhaps, but pretty cool nonetheless. Yes – you can achieve energy savings and create a party mood all at once.

If you envied Mr. Spock’s tricorder, check out Lapka. This sleek and elegant set of sensors allows you to measure radiation, temperature, humidity and even the level of nitrates in foods to be sure they are truly organic. With Lapka, you can be sure your personal space is clean and healthy. All the results show up on the Lapka smart phone app.

How about something for you tinkerers out there? Look no further

than www.littlebits.com. littleBits are just that, little bits of technology you snap together to make your own controls. How about a remote garage door sensor? Or a bark monitor? Or controlling a window AC unit via the Internet? All possible with littleBits’ Smart Home Kit. Or, you can build your own smart door lock with an Arduino and some other parts.

From energy savings to convenience to fun, the market is full of products and apps that put you firmly in control of your home and how it operates. It’s a gadget-lover’s paradise indeed.

If you’re interested in any of these technologies, please contact the manufacturer or retailer directly.

Tom Tate writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.

Smart, savvy and efficient electronics for the homeTax credits for geothermal installations to expire in 2016

T he Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424) has previously

offered a onetime tax credit of 30% of the total investment for homeowners who install geothermal heat pumps. The Minnesota Geothermal Heat Pump Association (MNGHPA) would like to make known that this offer will be expiring on December 31, 2016. With the expiration date approaching, demand for geothermal units is expected to rise through the end of this year and the beginning of next year. There are a limited number of installers and loop contractors qualified to install geothermal systems in Minnesota, so as demand rises it may be more difficult to find someone to adequately install the system. If you are interested in taking advantage of the tax credit, it is best to act soon to prevent missing the cutoff and losing the 30% incentive.

The MNGHPA also advises caution when choosing an installer, as unqualified contractors and installers may enter the market as demand increases. It is recommended that members use installers who are already qualified members of the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association and/or members of the Minnesota Geothermal Heat Pump Association.

Page 3 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Do you know what your water heater is doing while you sleep?

H ot water looms large in the list of household chores. Showers, laundry, dishes – they all require hot water. If you think about it, we use a significant amount of energy to heat water. Now, utilities and manufacturers are teaming up to bring you new water heaters equipped with technology that can make the electric grid

smarter and more efficient.

Electric co-ops are on the forefront of research testing new water heater technologies, including ways to improve the use of water heaters to integrate renewable energy onto the electric grid.

Water heaters are unique among electric home appliances. They are omni-present, use significant amounts of electricity and can store thermal energy for hours at a time. Location #24-11-202

For decades electric co-ops have partnered with their members on “demand response programs,” which allow the co-op to turn home water heaters on and off in order to reduce how much power the co-op uses during peak periods, when power is more expensive. Members get a break on their bill in exchange for participation. New communications and automation technologies make this process more reliable, predictable and efficient.

More than 250 electric co-ops in 35 states use large-capacity electric resistance water heaters that can reduce the co-op’s power cost and store electricity produced by wind and hydropower. For example, when the wind blows at night – when most of us are sleeping and wholesale power is cheaper – the electricity produced can be used to heat water in our homes. The water will remain hot even if the water heater is turned off for a short period. In other words, collectively, water heaters can act like a battery, storing energy.

For all of these reasons, electric co-ops were dismayed in 2010 when the Department of Energy issued new efficiency standards for electric water heaters that would have made demand response programs using large capacity, electric resistance water heaters difficult. For the last five years, electric co-ops have been working with efficiency advocates, manufacturers and others to ensure that we can take advantage of new technologies that benefit our members. In April, Congress passed legislation that allows co-ops to continue to run these demand response programs. Electric co-ops across the country hailed this bipartisan legislation as a win for consumers. Collectively, the current water heater programs can reduce demand by an estimated 500 megawatts, saving consumers hundreds of millions of dollars and avoiding the need for new power plants.

Electric co-ops are now looking ahead and collaborating with partners to make sure the next generation of water heaters can provide more than just hot water.

1. Controllable, high-efficiency electric water heaters are installed in homes2. During times of high demand, the Co-op cuts power to water heaters.3. When demand drops, water heaters are turned back on to run during the night and

provide warm water for the next day.

Fun Facts: Water-heater-control programs let co-ops take full advantage of wind generation, which is most active at night. About 250 co-ops in 35 states currently have load management programs that include water-heater control.

Benefits: • Co-ops avoid peak pricing • Members use power when it’s cheaper • Helps avert need for new power plants. Information source: NRECA

Photos are requested for Meeker Cooperative’s 2016 Calendar. We are looking for photos from throughout the year

showing the various seasons and special occasions, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and more.

Photos should be digital, high-resolution, of at least 150 dpi or more. We will accept printed photographs if they are a minimum of 5 x 7 and of good quality. We will try our best to use all of the photographs as space allows.

Please submit digital photos via email to: rsorenson@meeker.coop. Include your name, city and phone number with each submission so we can give you credit in the photo. Printed photos may be mailed or dropped off at 1725 US Hwy. 12 E., Litchfield, MN 55355, Attn: Becky Sorenson. All photos must be submitted by September 15, 2015.

Member Photos Wanted

STATE FAIR Thrifty Thursday Aug. 27

Return to: Meeker Cooperative, ATTN: Becky Sorenson, 1725 US Hwy. 12, Suite 100, Litchfield, MN 55355 by August 21. No refunds.

State Fair Member TripsPlease reserve ______ places for the State Fair Bus Trip on August 27, 2015.

Name(s): ___________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Account Number:___________________ Phone: ______________________

Member Cost: Adults, $24, Kids 5-12, $20 Amount enclosed: $ _______________

We’ll leave Meeker Co-op’s parking lot at 9 a.m., spend about five hours at the fair and leave at 4 p.m. Your time and all meals at the fair are on your own.

Price includes the bus, the fair entry, a State Fair goody bag, and cookies/water on the bus

Costs: Adults $24_____ Kids (5-12) $20 Kids under 5 FREEEveryone on the bus must have a cell phone and supply the trip host with your cell phone number.

Deadline: August 21, or when bus fills. Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds for any cancellations.

Enjoy all the fun of the Minnesota State Fair with none of the driving, parking and standing in the ticket line! Join fellow members and Co-op personnel for a trip to the State Fair and leave the driving to us!

Due to member requests, we are offering another trip to the State Fair!

Page 4

Art meets technology in the “lost wax” bronze sculpting process

Nick Christiansen has been creating lost wax bronze sculptures for the past 15 years. The Kimball native originally received a

degree in mechanical design from the Central Lakes Technical School in Staples, Minnesota. In his early years, Christiansen had a knack for sculpting, but he chose to occupy his time with other activities.

“I didn’t do art in High School,” he said, “I was more focused on sports.” After working in St. Paul for several years Christiansen learned about Neil Brodin and his work with bronze sculpting, and decided to take a chance. Around 2002 Christiansen left St. Paul to work with Brodin, and fortunately the necessary skills came easy to him.

Over the next ten years Christiansen worked on perfecting his skillset, and in 2010 he was able to start his own company, NKC Sculptures. Now he is able to do work of his own, while also contracting some of the sculptures brought to Brodin Studios. Though bronze sculpting is not what Christiansen originally went to school for, he says that his degree has proven useful in his career.

“As technology has progressed it’s come more into play”, says Christiansen. His studies allowed him to be familiar with the casting process, as well as helping him with relevant terminology.

The process of bronze sculpting is a complex one. First, the sculpture must be created out of sculpting clay or casting wax. Then, a plastic or rubber “mother mold” is created from the wax or clay sculpture.

When the mold has set it must be removed from the sculpture and cleaned. Once the mold is ready, it is filled with casting wax. This is done by heating

the wax to liquid form, pouring it into the mold, and “sloshing” it around until it coats the inside. This process is repeated until the wax has built up thick enough on the inside of the mold. Once the wax has cooled, it is removed from the mold and Christiansen fine tunes the details on the sculpture and fixes any imperfections.

The finished wax model is then sent to Casting Creations, a foundry in Howard Lake. Small individual works, or pieces of large works, are placed on a “tree” and dipped into a slurry, which coats the wax in a ceramic shell. This shell is then sent to a “burnout oven”, which melts the wax out. This is where the name “lost wax” is derived from. Once the shell is devoid of wax it is fired in a kiln to set it. Immediately after the shell is finished, it is

removed from the kiln and filled with hot bronze. The bronze fills the void where the wax was. Once the bronze has cooled it is removed from the mold and returned to Christiansen, who then cleans up any imperfections and welds large pieces together if necessary. Finally, once the piece is detailed to his liking, it is sandblasted and colored to the standard brown-gold tint characteristic of most bronze statues we’re familiar with.

From start to finish, the current bronze sculpting process is clearly a difficult one. Many are now turning to 3D printing for help, because “it takes out the first six to seven steps and speeds the process up”, says Christiansen. No stranger to working with technology, Christiansen expects that 3D printing may someday make much of the current bronze sculpting process obsolete.

“Someday 3D printing will probably replace the guy who can sculpt something by hand”, he said. “With 3D printing you can make one-of-a-kind pieces.” Currently, manufacturing an individual unique piece is expensive, and 3D printing could make it more affordable.

For now, Christiansen will continue creating the majority of his masterpieces the way it has always been done. Despite being done by hand his pieces are equal in craft, if not superior, to anything created by a machine. As a bronze sculptor, Christiansen is unique, especially considering the large facility he utilizes. Many who do bronze sculpting Christiansen considers “hobbyists,” working on a small scale from their home or shop.

Since bronze sculptors are few and far between, Christiansen sees business from all over the country. He currently has a set of larger-than-life sculptures

Completed miniature bronze sculptures

A tiny rubber mold used to create a unique uniform patch. Extreme attention to detail is paid when creating miniature sculptures, and many such molds are often used to create unique patches indicating rank or other identifiers.

Nick Christiansen demonstrates creating a wax cast from a mother mold

Page 5

Power Grid Saboteur Gets 15 Years

A n Arkansas man who pleaded guilty to sabotaging electric grid equipment has been sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison.

Jason Woodring also has to pay more than $4.8 million in restitution, including nearly $50,000 to Jacksonville-based First Electric Cooperative .

Authorities said Woodring repeatedly attempted to bring down a 500-kilowatt transmission line with freight trains and was also behind an arson attack on a high-voltage switching station and the pulling down of electric co-op lines with a tractor.

“The power grid attacks had the potential to put many lives at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Thyer, whose Eastern District of Arkansas office negotiated the plea deal earlier this year. A federal judge accepted the agreement June 18.

Woodring, 39, originally faced an eight-count indictment stemming from a series of vandalism incidents in the service territory of First Electric Cooperative in 2013. During the investigation, he admitted targeting equipment owned by the co-op and investor-owned Entergy’s transmission components in central Arkansas.

Woodring “damaged or attempted to damage the property,” wrote FBI Special Agent Dixon A. Land in a criminal complaint sworn out Oct. 12, 2013.

The first incidents involved two attempts in August 2013 to bring down a transmission line with trains running through Cabot, Ark., on Union Pacific tracks. Woodring also admitted burning up an Entergy Switching station, in Scott, Ark., causing $4 million dollars in damage, Sept. 29, 2013.

An attack the following week involved pulling a 115-kilovolt line down from two First Electric Cooperative poles.

Woodring admitted using a borrowed chain saw to cut the poles and stealing a tractor with a winch to pull the line down, knocking out power to about 9,000 co-op meters for about two hours and causing more than $48,700 in damage.

~ECT Today

Industry News

Finished bronze sculpture ready to be shipped.

awaiting shipment to a medical facility in Texas.

Over the years, Christiansen estimates that he has created 50,000 statues or more, and he shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, he has plans for future expansion.

“I’m able to do this work,” he states, “and it’s something I like to do.”

As his business continues to grow, Christiansen hopes to branch out from his current practice of sculpting almost entirely military, police, or fire and rescue statues. He’d like to produce more custom orders and serve a diverse group of customers. For instance, he has been asked to do various individual statues for gravesites for monument companies and for companies like Gold ‘N Plump in St. Cloud. He is also able to do less expensive faux-bronze medallions for city festivals.

Expanding will be challenging, he knows, but Nick is ready for the challenge, and expects that technology will play even a greater roll in the years ahead.

If you have a project to talk with Nick about, you can contact him at 320-398-4304 or at www.brodinstudios.com.

Page 6 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Melt In Your Mouth Toffee

Shelley Carter of Mpls. submitted this month’s winner for Favorite Candy Recipe

Melt In Your Mouth ToffeeShe will receive a $10 credit

on her electric bill.

For September, submit your favorite Sandwich Recipe by August 31 to:

Meeker Cooperative ATTN: Becky Sorenson,

1725 US Hwy 12, Suite 100, Litchfield, MN 55355

Melt In Your Mouth Toffee

1 pound butter1 cup white sugar1 cup packed brown sugar1 cup walnuts2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a heavy saucepan, combine butter and both sugars. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Boil to brittle stage (300º F) without stirring. Remove from heat.

Pour nuts and chocolate chips into a 9 X 13 inch dish. Pour hot mixture over the nuts and chocolate. Let the mixture cool and break into pieces before serving.

Meeker Cooperative’s recycling event will be held August 19-20, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for all membersMeeker will hold its annual recycling event at its Litchfield headquarters. This is the same recycling event we have held every year for Residential, Commercial and Industrial members. See below for items that qualify and pricing, which is 15% off normal costs!

Lamp Type Recycling cost

Fluorescent Tubes 4 ft & under ........................... $0.60 Fluorescent Tubes 5 ft & over ............................. $0.80 U-shape & circular ............................................... $0.80 High intensity (HIDs) ........................................... $2.00 Ballast (non-PCB) ............................................ $0.80/lb Ballast (PCB) .................................................... $1.30/lb

C & I customers may also recycle electronics as in the past. Call for more information and price sheet.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT RECYCLING IS FREE YEAR-ROUND IN MEEKER COOPERATIVE’S OFFICE LOBBY

1725 U.S. Highway 12 E., Litchfield, MN

Can we have your number?

Staying connected with our members is a point of high importance to us at Meeker Cooperative. We do our best to keep open lines

of communication at all times, but especially during outages. Outages can be a frustrating situation for all involved, but what if we told you there was a way to make them much smoother for everyone?

Making certain that your contact information is up to date is one of the best ways to ensure a quicker response in the event of an outage. In this day and age, many people are getting rid of land lines in favor of using cell phones as their primary means of contact. It is crucial that we are notified if your primary phone number changes, so we can be sure that we are contacting the right number when necessary. In addition, our new Call Capture system can alert you of planned outages in your area, but only if we have your correct phone number. By the way, if you own a cell phone the Cooperative offers outage texting as a way to alert us that you have an outage. To sign up, simply visit www.meeker.coop and click on the link that says, “click here for outage texting.” Utilizing this service will make it more convenient for you to let us know of outages without hanging out on the phone while waiting to speak with someone.

If you would like to call and let us know of any changes to your phone number, dial either 800-232-6257 or (320) 693-3231. You can also email us via the “Contact Us” section on our website. We appreciate being able to stay in touch with our members, so please call the Cooperative today and let us know what changes you’ve made to your contact information. Thanks for the help!

Trees are leading cause of power outages

I t’s another humid Sunday night in the Meeker county area, and you can see flashes of lightening off in the distance. It looks like another storm is preparing to come through, and sure enough, just as you crawl into bed the sound of rain patters on the roof. You can hear the dull rumble

of thunder overhead, but you are not concerned of any immediate danger and are soon lulled to sleep by the sounds of the storm around you. The next morning you wake up slowly as light through the window warms your face… only to realize that your alarm clock has not gone off because the power is out, and you are late to work! It appears that a tree too close to the power line has fallen and caused the outage. What a way to start your Monday morning. Meeker county and surrounding areas have experienced some storms so far this summer. With such a frequent occurrence of storms during the summer, power outages are not uncommon. It is important to note, however, that most of these outages could be prevented through diligent tree maintenance. Fallen trees or branches are the leading cause of power outages. The last two storms to work through the area caused outages to approximately 500 people each; that’s no small number. Outages are an expensive ordeal for the Cooperative, which means that it is costly for our member-owners as well. Meeker Cooperative advises members to be extremely diligent in their vegetation management, especially when a tree may pose a threat to a power line, should it fall. If you have a tree that may be a concern, but is in close proximity to a power line, please seek assistance in getting it trimmed. Attempting to perform maintenance on a tree too close to a power line is very dangerous. Should you need assistance in any outage-preventative tree maintenance, feel free to call the Co-op to explore possible options at 800-232-6257. From everyone at Meeker Cooperative, thank you for your help in safely preventing electrical outages!

Page 7 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Is a heat pump water heater for me?

H eat pumps are one of the best energy investments to heat and cool your home. Their superior energy efficiency allows

members to receive up to three times the energy for every energy dollar spent.

Knowing this, our Energy Services technicians were interested in the emerging heat pump water heater (HPWH) design that incorporates heat pump technology to deliver less expensive hot water. This technology has been embraced by the EPA due to their energy efficiency.

Our research turned up a mixed bag of pros and cons for this technology. Location #09-34-105

How they workHPWHs use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Imagine a refrigerator working in reverse. While a refrigerator removes heat from an enclosed box and expels that heat to the surrounding air, a HPWH takes the heat from surrounding air and transfers it to water in an enclosed tank. During periods of high hot water demand, HPWHs switch to standard electric resistance heat (hence they are often referred to as “hybrid” hot water heaters) automatically. Their technology will create noise similar to an air conditioner running.

ConsHeat pump water heaters work very well in warm climates. However, in colder climates like ours, there are a couple of things to consider:

1 Most HPWHs are placed in unconditioned or semi-conditioned basements. However, if placed

in heated spaces, HPWHs will produce cool and dry air that is a benefit in the summer months but will lead to higher heating bills in the winter months.

2 When operating in heat pump mode, HPWHs do not heat water as quickly as conventional

electric resistance water heaters, particularly when recovering after a significant draw. Consequently, to maintain performance, HPWHs may switch to a less efficient electric resistance heating mode.

3 During these times of recovery, colder ambient air and incoming water will lead to switching to

a less efficient electric-resistance mode more often.

ProsENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters can save a household of 4 an average of approximately $290 per year on its electric bills compared to a standard electric water heater and over $3,770 over the HPWH’s lifetime. Larger families — that typically use more hot water — will save even more! (See table above.)

A smart investment. While a certified HPWH costs more up-front, the savings will pay back the difference in six years for a household of 4.

Additional Cold Climate Considerations• Avoid placing HPWHs in conditioned space if

possible. If you must place the unit in conditioned space, do not install it near a thermostat or living spaces sensitive to colder temperatures.

• Install HPWHs in unconditioned or semi-conditioned interior spaces, such as a basement, where temperatures remain above 50 degrees F most of the year. An ideal situation would be near a furnace in a basement that is relatively warm all winter.

• Consider HPWHs that meet Northern Climate Efficiency Specification developed by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). NEEA has identified HPWHs that are efficient in colder climates by using a test procedure that uses lower temperature ambient air and inlet water to reflect conditions in colder climates. A prerequisite to qualify for the Northern Climate HPWH Specification is that the units must be ENERGY STAR certified.

Savings and Paybacks for ENERGY STAR Heat Pump Water Heaters

Household Size Annual kwh Savings Annual $ Savings Payback (Years) Lifetime Savings

2 _____________ 1,350 ____________ $ 145 _____________ 12.4 ____________ $ 1,885

3 _____________ 2,020 ____________ $ 218 _____________ 8.2 ____________ $ 2,834

4 _____________ 2,690 ____________ $ 290 _____________ 6.2 ____________ $ 3,770

5 _____________ 3,370 ____________ $ 364 _____________ 4.9 ____________ $ 4,732

6 _____________ 4,040 ____________ $ 436 ______________ 4 _____________ $ 5,668

Assumes: Meeker’s average rate of 10.8 cents/kWh; Average cost of water heater = $1,800; 13 - year lifespan

These figures are just estimates. Where the water heater is located, the temperature of the space where it’s located, the amount of water used and the actual price of the water heater will all impact these numbers.

Is location in an unoccupied space where cooling and noise will not be an issue? q Yes q No

Does location offer more than 1,000 cubic feet of surrounding air (i.e., approximately the space of a 12 foot by 12 foot room)? (Efficiency will suffer in a closet – even one with louvered doors - and you need adequate clearance around air entry and discharge.) q Yes q No

Does location offer sufficient height to install? (HPWH are usually taller than traditional storage tank water heaters to accommodate the heat pump.) q Yes q No

Can location accommodate or does it already have a condensate drain or pump? (HPWHs produce condensate.)

q Yes q No

Is ambient air temperature not consistently in freezing range (32 degrees F) or below? (HPWHs do not operate in freezing temperature like outdoors or in garages during northern climate winters.) q Yes q No

Does ambient air temperature remain between 40°- 90° F year-round? (An ideal spot would be near a furnace in a basement that is very warm all winter or a garage in very warm climates.) q Yes q No

Is a HPWH right for your situation? Consider the following questions from Energy Star to see if a HPWH is the right fit for your circumstance:

Page 8 • Meeker Pioneer • www.meeker.coop

Win $80 credit on your next bill!

For 2015, we will credit $80 to three members who find their location numbers in honor of our 80th Anniversary! Three location numbers have been hidden within this Pioneer. If you find your number and claim it by calling Meeker Cooperative by August 31 you will have $80 credited to your account! Good Luck!

Pioneer Ads — Free want ad service for members. Please limit your ad to nine words. Use the coupon printed below or available at Meeker Cooperative’s front desk to submit your ad. Ads will be printed for one month only. Please submit a new ad if you want it published more than one month. Include your name and address, which will be used for identification purposes only. Ads must be received by August 31 to be included in the September issue. We no longer accept “Service” or “For Rent” ads.

Please run this ad in the next PioneerName: ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

Telephone number: ___________________________________

Remember to limit your ad to nine words!

1__________________ 2__________________ 3__________________

4__________________ 5__________________ 6__________________

7__________________ 8__________________ 9__________________

___For Sale, Misc.

___Agricultural

___Automotive

___Wanted

___Giveaway

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Clip and Send to: Meeker Cooperative, 1725 US Hwy. 12, Suite 100, Litchfield, MN 55355 Attn: Becky Sorenson or email rsorenson@meeker.coop

• Marathon elec. motor hp 7-10 for crop dryer. $350. 320-221-1676.• 2001 Glastron 18’ boat w/150hp Johnson, Shorelander trailer. Great cond., $8,000. 320-221-1676.• 1979 John Deere 148 loader w/72” bucket, gd. cond. $3,000. 320-221-1676.• 2002 Jayco Qwest 5th wheel 26.5 ft. bunk beds. $6,500. 612-799-0852.• Outback black Duster, never worn, Lg, $125 OBO. 320-221-2103.• Self-propelled push mower, $100 OBO. 320-221-3128.• Jet ski suit, 2pc women’s long XL, $50 OBO. 320-221-3128.• 1976 Cad. Conv. triple blue parade boot, 47k, $12,000 OBO. 320-894-4329.• Uniform scrub tops, sizes M-L, $2-3. 320-275-3033.• 2012 Forest River Grey Wolf camper, 28ft, $11,595. 320-857-2883.

• 5pc Couch, loveseat, chair, rocker, ottoman, good cond. 320-398-2655.• 10”x20”x12” Fish tank & all accessories $15. 320-212-5939.• Mustang solo m.cycle seat/backrest, fits ’08-’15 HD/FL. Touring stock/79447. 320-275-9951.• Craftsmen 10”radial arm saw. 320-267-9186.• Dewalt 14” radial arm saw, heavy duty. 320-267-9186• Delta hollow chisel mortiser w/ mortising set, 1/4-1/2”, like new. 320-267-9186.• Delta 6” jointer w/extra blades, master mech.10” tbl saw/stand. 320-275-2493.• 14 ft Lund alum. Boat, 15hp Johnson motor trailer, $875. 320-282-4950.• 12’x15’ vintage burgundy wool area rug, B/O. 320-328-4041.• 6” jointer planer, extra long surface, free standing, $100. 320-453-2617.• Huffy station. exer. bike, hvy. duty, $10. 320-764-7063.

• 1989 Sea Ray 18ft open bow 135hp Mercury. 612-812-8558.• Time/Life WWII books, 19 vols., exc. cond., $20. 320-857-2480.• 5Ac building lot, 120ft well, 30x52 bldg, electric, $69,900. 320-974-3369.• 5 BR house, 3.5Ac near Lk Washington. 320-296-1511.• Dog houses 2 sizes, Jars, Play house, TV w/ DV converter. 320-693-7653.• Pheasant chicks, call 320-764-7053.• 3 horse slant trailer, tackroom, side door, no rust, $4,000. 320-764-7431.• House, Lk Washington, $179,900, 100’ Lakeshore. Call/text 320-296-1511.• Two 760-15 tires, new, no weather cracks, $150. 320-339-8236.• Home-gym exercise mach., adjust. wghts. & treadmill. 320-398-7581 eves.• J. Deere mower bagger cart, 48”cut, 280 hrs, 320-453-7552. Leave mess.• Regency 52” white lighted fan, polished brass trim, $60. 320-398-8135.• 3-drawer sew. cabinet, 18x40x27h, like new, $100, 320-693-3091.• Wood stove firewood A-frame shed flue parts, $300. 507-227-3355.• 10” toolshop wood planer, 2hp, $150 OBO, leave mess. 612-240-9903.• 1988 Crestliner boat, many extras, nice. Call for info. 320-276-8669.• 2012 Arctic Cat TRV-450 ATV 4x4 Auto, 2-up, $5,000. 320-221-0494.

• Canning jars/plastic freezer containers. 320-693-8492.• Ladies NB/gray suede, 9M, worn 3x, like new. 320-693-8492. • 1950’s Schlitz beer sign stand, 66” high, 14x14”sq, exc cond, $50. 320-296-1209.• Kodak carousel & projector screen. 320-693-8492.• Vintage cream chenille bedspread, fringed, Qne size, $15. 320-453-2236.• PWC ’98 Tigershark 770 ’02 trailer $1,550. 952-938-8269.•’64 John Deere 110 garden tractor collectable cond., $1,180. 952-938-8269.• Garden cart, wood w/ steel frame, 37”Lx26”W, can tow, $75. 952-938-8269.• Cake supplies, dec. pans, separator plates, wed. cake supplies. 320-221-2343.• Depression glass canning jars, antiques & misc. items. 320-221-2343.• Elec. Fireplace, Lazy-Boy blue recliner, new dog carrier. 320-693-3158.• Nice 3-dr. writing desk, stand w/ 8 shelves. 320-693-3158.• Club car golf cart, elec., new batts, $1,800 OBO. 320-693-7399.• White GE profile auto dishwash., gd. cond., remod. kitchen, $75. 320-693-6357.• Bernina-virtuosa 153 sew. machine, Bernina 4spool surgur sew. machine. 320-275-3609.• Antique treadle sew. mach. w/ all orig. attach./manual, exc. $100. 320-857-2542.• 9 steel adjst. 7’-7’6” floor support columns for basement, new, $35ea. 320-857-2542.• Roto hoe chipper mulcher, used 30hrs, pd $1,100, exc. cond., $290. 320-292-4020.• 2003 17ft SmokerCraft boat w/ 115 horse, 4 stroke mercury. 320-275-2593.• Oak dining room table w/ 6 chairs, exc cond., $450. 320-764-9502.• SunFish sail boat, $500. 320-587-3309.• Antique Dresser wash-stand, $350, Antique Rocker $250. 320-764-9502.• “New” green lift chair, $700. 320-764-9502.• Gen. Electric 1935 Monitor top refrigerator, $200. 320-894-7072.• Pioneer 4-chanel hi-base system, $100 firm. 320-693-3890.• Hewitt Pontoon lift, 18’ alum., good cond. $1,247. 612-237-8502.• MT John Deere, 1993 Arctic Cat Jaguar 440 snowmobile. 320-492-1682.

• 44 ft Breckenridge park model camper, 2008, $21,000 /OBO. 763-258-7277.• Thermadore food warmer in-wall unit, $50. 320-583-8047.• Whirlpool white refrig., side by side, exc cond. 320-693-2074.• 2 vintage schwinn 3-speed women’s bikes, exc cond. 320-453-2236.

• Gravity boxes, 300-600 bushel, shedded, B/O. 320-453-3007.• 2 Livestock feeders for pasture, $30 OBO. 320-221-3128.• Gehl 4x4 round hay baler, field ready. 320-398-2655.• 2nd crop Alfalfa grass hay sm. squares, $5/bale. 320-221-1954.• Mix grass straw, sm. squares for bedding, $1/bale. 320-221-1954.• 125gal. Liquid molasses tank, plastic, good shape. 320-276-8452.• 4 Kaf-tel huts w/ fences, $175ea. 320-693-7442.• JD 7720 TitanII corn head, bean head, 5-belt head, pickup. 320-587-4850.• Brush KingKutter driven mower, 3pt, $400, 4ft, PTO. 320-290-1935.• Steel harrow, 2-section, $50. 320-764-2286.• 10 4x5 grass round bales, $35ea. 320-221-1954.• Allis hay rake, $5, AC-WC tractor, runs well, $895. 320-453-7575.• Allis Chalmers gleaner A Combine w/ soybean/grain heads. 320-693-2766.• Oliver white 416 plow, 3-point, trip bottoms. 320-693-2766.• Tractor tire 13-38, free field rock call after 5pm. 320-693-3158.• 2 blk Angus cross steers, $1,500ea. 320-420-7197.• For sale heavy ducks. 320-693-7302.• Intl. Silage blower, pipe silo on loader & cement silo. 320-693-2766.• Steel gooseneck horse/livestock trailer, good cond. 320-398-2655.

• 1985 Mustang convertible, GT 5.0, auto, runs great, $4,500 OBO. 320-296-6409.• 2000 GrandPrix, 196,00mls, $1,100 OBO, runs well. 320-764-7040.• 2005 Grand Am 3.4L, V6, 161K, 27mpg, 4dr, runs well, $2,700. 320-333-2158.

• 1979 Honda XL500X, not street legal, $600 OBO. 320-221-8264.• Pontiac GrandPrix, 3.8L 2007, new tires + many extras. 320-398-6455.• 2008 Victory Vision mcycle, 5,000mls, $12,000 OBO. 320-275-3734.• 2010 Ford Explorer XLT, 75,000mls, remote start, $16,500. 320-905-1482.• 2003 Buick Park Avenue, 106,000mls, pearl, one owner, $4,500. 320-593-1195.• 1989 Caddy, looks & runs great, $2,500 OBO. 952-476-0911.• 1965 Ford Mustang, body restored. 320-398-6911.• 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 187,000mls, good cond., runs well. 320-761-4071.

• 2 wheel trailer made from 3/4 ton pick-up. 320-221-2103.• Wooden bunkbed w/ full bed bottom, twin top. 320-453-2295.• Villa glazed porcelain tile, VAJ9, Venice Taupe. 320-275-9288.• Location #02-19-401• Red Radio Flyer wooden wagon in clean cond. 320-276-8340.• Infisherman magazines from 70’s-90’s. 320-275-3287.• 500gal (or larger) propane tank. 320-275-3287.• Tractor crawling water sprinkler. 320-593-8585.• Grass to cut for hay. 320-420-7197.• Arch welder, hand grinder & bandsaw. 320-275-2593.

• GE Fridge/freezer top&bottom refrigerator/ no freezer. 320-221-2103.• Colorful banty chickens, all ages. 320-857-2507.• 36” Toshiba T.V., 15yrs old, 214Lbs, great working cond. 320-693-2910.• Black lab cross, 14mo, friendly, good w/ kids, loving. 320-221-4072.• Give away firewood. 320-587-3309.

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