News Archive

Ah, summer. It has finally arrived. It’s the perfect time of year for cookouts, swimming pools, camping––it’s the ideal time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. And when it’s time to come back indoors, there’s nothing better than that cool blast you feel from your home’s air conditioning unit. Your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system is essential to keeping your home comfortable during summer months, and if it breaks down, it’s also the most expensive equipment to repair or replace. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to lengthen the life of your HVAC system. Change or clean filters. Dirty filters block airflow, which can greatly decrease the efficiency of your system. The Department of Energy recommends changing or cleaning filters every month or two during the cooling season. If your unit is in constant use or is subjected to dusty conditions or pet hair, consider checking filters more frequently. Periodically clean the HVAC unit. Outdoor condenser coils can become clogged with pollen, dirt and small debris. Use a hose to spray the HVAC unit once each season to ensure maximum airflow. (Warning: Do not use a pressure washer as it can cause damage to the equipment.) Clear space around the HVAC unit. Dryer vents, falling leaves and grass left behind from the lawnmower can create buildup. Remove any debris around the HVAC unit. If you have foliage near the unit, trim it back at least 2 feet around the condenser to increase airflow. If you want to evaluate the efficiency of your HVAC system, try this quick test. The outdoor temperature should be above 80 degrees, and you should set your thermostat well below the room temperature to ensure the system runs long enough for the test. 1. Using a digital probe thermometer, measure the temperature of the air being pulled into your HVAC filter. 2. Measure the temperature of the air blowing out of your A/C vent. 3. Subtract the A/C vent temperature from the HVAC filter temperature. You should see a difference of about 17 to 20 degrees. If the difference is less than 17 degrees, you may need a licensed technician to check the coolant. If the difference is greater than 20 degrees, your ductwork may need to be inspected for airflow restrictions. You should also have your HVAC system periodically inspected by a licensed professional. The frequency of inspections depends on the age of your unit, but the Department of Energy recommends scheduling tune-ups during the spring and fall, when contractors aren’t quite as busy. When HVAC equipment fails, especially in the dog days of summer, it’s not only inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it can also be expensive to repair. Remember, your HVAC system runs best when it’s regularly cleaned and serviced. With a little maintenance along the way, you can add years to your system’s lifespan.

What do you get when 62 students from 26 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives join more than 1,800 of their peers from across the United States? You get the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth to Washington Tour. Four local students represented Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative during an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. from June 14 – 20 as part of the annual Youth Tour. The 2019 Youth Tour delegates from Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative include Shelby Basham, Ashkum; Cameron Douglass, Rossville; Liam McMullin, Loda; and Dane Thorne, Onarga. The students toured Capitol Hill and met with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger and John Shimkus. They also visited historical and cultural sites including Arlington National Cemetery, the Supreme Court, President Lincoln’s Cottage at First National Cemetery, a variety of memorials and the U.S. Capitol. “Youth Tour is a great opportunity that changes these students’ lives,” says Bob Hunzinger, president/CEO of Eastern Illini Electric. “This experience helps prepare them for their futures. After touring our nation’s capital, meeting congressional representatives, learning firsthand how our government works, and finding out more about how cooperatives operate, they return home with valuable knowledge and memories that will last a lifetime.” Since 1964, the nation’s cooperative electric and telephone utilities have sponsored more than 60,000 high school students to visit Washington, D.C.

Working with electricity can be a dangerous job, especially for lineworkers out in the field. In fact, USA Today lists line repairers and installers among the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. That’s why for Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative safety is the number one priority. This is not empty talk. Over time, we have created a culture of putting our crews’ safety and that of the community above all else. Our mission is to provide safe and reliable energy to you, our members. Yes, we strive to deliver electricity to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, but equally important, we want our employees to return home safely to their loved ones. This requires ongoing focus, dedication, vigilance, and your assistance to make that happen! Distractions can be deadly. While we appreciate your kindness and interest in the work of our crews, we ask that you stay back and let them focus on their task at hand. Even routine work has the potential to be dangerous, and it takes their full attention and that of their colleagues, who are also responsible for the team’s safety. Distractions can have deadly consequences. If a lineworker is on or near your property during a power outage, for vegetation management or for routine maintenance, please allow them ample room to work. These small accommodations help protect our crews–– and you. If you have a dog, try to keep it indoors while lineworkers are on or near your property. While most dogs are friendly, some are defensive of their home territory and can’t distinguish between an intruder and a utility worker. We recognize that for your family’s safety, you want to make sure only authorized workers are on or near your property. You will recognize Eastern Illini employees by their clothing, hard hats, and the service trucks with our name and logo on them. You may also recognize our lineworkers because they live right here in our local community. Slow down and move over. In addition to giving lineworkers some space while they are near your property, we also ask that you move over or slow down when approaching a utility vehicle on the side of the road. This is an extra barrier of safety to help those who help all of us. While cooperative crews and linemen work outside all year long, in the summer more projects are set in full motion: right-of-way tree trimming, pole inspection and pole replacement, power line placement, line laying and more. One of our top priorities at Eastern Illini is to bring you, our members, reliable power. These projects help ensure we can reliably deliver power to your home or business. Just as important to us is safety of both you and our employees. When signs that indicate any type of construction ahead are placed on the side of the road, please pay attention. These are typically bright orange diamonds that say, “Utility Construction Ahead.” These signs are there not only for the workers protection, but for yours as well. If you see any of those signs, please slow down and, when possible, move over. We ask that you vacate the lane closest to the EIEC vehicle that is working near or on the side of the road. For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. As you come up on a utility construction zone or approach EIEC employees who are trimming trees, replacing poles, or repairing damaged lines, slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. We understand you have places to be and are sometimes are in a hurry to get there, but simply taking the time to slow down and move over in a construction zone will ensure both you and our crews stay safe. Our lineworkers perform an invaluable service and we care about them deeply. With your help, we can make sure they go home to their families each and every day.

Join us for a member appreciation event at Riggs Beer Company in Urbana, IL on Monday, August 19, 2019 beginning at 5:30 p.m. EIEC will provide the brats and a great atmosphere. Lemonade, pop, water, and nonalcoholic beverages will be provided. Beer and other alcoholic beverages may be purchased at the event. Complimentary brewery tours will be given throughout the evening. Let us know you’re coming and how many people will be joining you by completing the form below by August 14th. We look forward to seeing you at Kilowatts and Brats! Online registration is closed. Please call 1-800-824-5102 to register.