Author: Admin

Roosevelt Public Power
District
www.rooseveltppd.com

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ISSUE 4

DECEMBER 2019

Dennis Duffield—Manager
Sandra Hendren—Manager
Jennifer Heimbouch—Office Supervisor
Dael Hendren—Billing Clerk
A. J. Kuxhausen—Operations Manager
Jake Gonzales—Line Superintendent
Jordan Stull—Line Foreman
John Walker—Lineman
Doug Beebe—Lineman
Dillon Wademan—Lineman
Colt Whitaker-Lineman
Ralph Hilyard—President
Andrew Stratman—Vice President
Wes Ullrich—Secretary/Treasurer
Dave Howell—Director
Ken Strey—Director
Brenda Darnell—Director
Scott Long—Director

INSULATING FOR COMFORT & ENERGY SAVINGS

Many older homes, and some newer ones, are not properly insulated. Adding insulation can be a good investment year-round since it can help keep out the summer heat as well.
The three most common types of insulation in residential buildings are: batt, loose-fill, and rigid. Batt insulation can be made with several kinds of fibers including fiberglass and wool. It’s cut to fit between the framing in your ceilings, walls, or floors. Loose-fill insulation is made with small pellets or particles. It can be added by hand or blown in by machine into attic floors or exterior wall cavities. Rigid insulation comes in light sheets and is installed against a solid surface like an exterior wall or foundation.
All insulation is measured by it’s R-value. A higher R-value is more effective. The amount of R-value you need is dependent upon your climate and where the insulation is being added in your home.
Attics, particularly unfinished attics, often have loose-fill insulation or batts on the floor. It is important to be cautious if inspecting attic insulation in older homes, as asbestos may have been used. Also, it is easy to cause damage to electrical wiring or to ducts; and the possibility of stepping through the ceiling exists in an unfinished attic. Look carefully to see if the insulation is spread evenly with no gaps or voids. To determine whether there is enough insulation, you can start by researching the recommended amount for your climate. The Department of Energy publishes that information on their website, which is www.energy.gov. After measuring the depth of the insulation, you can calculate the R-value. The different types of insulation have different R-values per inch. If your attic insulation is short of the recommended levels, energy savings can most likely be achieved by having a professional add enough insulation to reach the recommended level.
The next place to check is the walls. You might be able to see if the walls are insulated by carefully removing an outlet cover. The most common technique for adding insulation to walls is to have it blown in through holes drilled from inside or outside the home. These holes can be easily patched. If the home is being resided, an alternative is to add rigid insulation to the exterior, underneath the new siding.
Finally, if the floor gets cold in winter, and the home has a crawl space, batt insulation can be installed between the floor joists. If the home is built on a concrete slab, rigid foam can be installed around the perimeter.
Insulation works great if the right approach for the home is chosen and the work is done carefully and professionally.
Pat Keegan, Rural Electric Nebraskan, September 2019

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, BILLS CAN BE PAID ONLINE AT
Www.rooseveltppd.com, OR OVER THE PHONE WITH A CARD WITH NO ADDITIONAL FEES.

ISSUE 4

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is preventable. Protect yourself and your family by learning the symptoms of CO poisoning and how to prevent it.
When winter temperatures plummet, and home heating systems run for hours, the risk of CO poisoning increases. CO is found in fumes produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles “warmed up” in garages, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, portable generators, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.
To prevent CO poisoning:
Change the batteries in your CO detector every six months. If you don’t have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO detector, buy one soon.
Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Keep vents and flues free of debris. Debris can block ventilation lines.
Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911 or a health care professional right away.
www.cdc.gov/features/copoisoning/index.html

TIPS TO AVOID WINTER WEIGHT GAIN
If you’re concerned that you’re gaining weight in winter because of all the extra eating, here are a few quick pointers on how you can counteract the effects:
When the urge to munch takes hold, fill up on healthy soups, stews and other low-calorie dishes that contain plenty of fiber-rich vegetables and other healthy ingredients, along with protein to keep you feeling satisfied.
Find healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods so you can indulge without blowing your calorie budget.
Snack regularly throughout the day on healthy options to keep your metabolism burning and help avoid cravings for high-fat, sugary treats.
Get outside during daylight hours and try to get some sun on your exposed skin to top up your vitamin D and serotonin levels.
If you think you’re suffering from SAD, take preventative measures and seek professional help if necessary.
Continue to exercise regularly – it will boost your mood, take your mind off eating and burn up some of those extra calories.
Find other sources of comfort for when you’re stressed that don’t involve food – think catching up with a friend, playing with a pet, or savoring a hot cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee.
https://magazine.vitality.co.uk/why-we-eat-more-in-winter-and-how-to-avoid-weight-gain/

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