Watt High Lights - Jackson County REMC

November 2012 - Volume 7, Number 5
Watt High Lights
Touchstone Energy Homes ®
in the spotlight
see pages 6 & 7

Watt High Lights
Jackson County Rural Electric
Membership Corporation
274 E. Base Road (Venus Road)
P.O. Box K
Brownstown, IN 47220-0311
Local calls - 812-358-4458
Toll free - 800-288-4458
FAX only - 812-358-5719
E-mail - info@jacksonremc.com
Web site - www.jacksonremc.com
Pay bills online - visit our website (above)
Pay bills by phone - 1-888-999-8816
Office Hours
7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday through Friday
To report outages
or emergencies
358-4458 (local) or toll free
1-800-288-4458 day or night
Board of Directors
President John Trinkle - district 3
Vice-President Earl Pottschmidt - district 8
Secretary-Treasurer Jerry Kelley - district 5
John Hackman - district 1
Walter Hunter - district 2
Paul Elliott - district 4
Mark Trisler - district 6
Richard Lambring - district 7
John Miller - district 9
OUR COVER
Brian and Tammy Covert and
sons have settled into their
new Touchstone Energy certified
home near Vallonia in rural
Jackson County. Learn more
about this and other Touchstone
Energy homes on pages 6 & 7.
Watt High Lights - (USPS 669-580) is
published monthly for $3.00 per year
(electric rates include subscription) by Jackson
County Rural Electric Membership Corporation,
a consumer owned utility, 274 E. Base Road,
Brownstown, Indiana 47220. Periodicals postage
paid at Brownstown, Indiana. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to Watt High Lights, P.O.
Box K, Brownstown, Indiana 47220.
Page 2 - November 2012
Happier holidays when
you use energy wisely
The holidays are here, and it’s tempting to take a break from
energy efficiency to eat, drink and be merry! While it’s a season
of wonder and joy, it’s also a time to use energy wisely and
Team Up To Power Down. As you decorate your home and
entertain your guests, consider these energy tips that will help
save extra dollars for holiday gifts.
Holiday Energy Tips
Decorate with energy-efficient LED holiday lights.
Use a timer to limit the hours of holiday lighting.
Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
Wash full loads of laundry in cold water.
Run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.
Encourage short showers instead of baths.
Equally important, on the coldest days of winter, do what
you can to avoid running appliances such as dishwashers and
clothes dryers during early mornings (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
and evenings (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) By shifting usage away
from peak times, you help even out the demand for electricity,
hold down the cost of power, and delay the next power plant
investment.
You might also consider purchasing gifts that promote energy
efficiency. For example, look for entertainment systems and appliances
that have the Energy Star® label. You can learn more
ways to save energy and money on Facebook at Team Up To
Power Down, and on the Web at TogetherWeSave.com and
EnergyStar.com.

Consumer survey
planned in coming months
A short telephone conversation or a few mouse clicks in response to an e-mail can help Jackson
County REMC get to know you better.
Information about the types of heating and cooling systems, electronic devices and appliances used
by our consumers is helpful as Jackson County REMC develops plans to provide reliable and efficient
electric service throughout our communities.
During December 2012 and January and February 2013, a limited number of REMC consumers
will be contacted for a telephone or internet survey. The information obtained will help your electric
cooperative in planning future power delivery facilities and developing marketing programs that are of
value to our customers.
You may be contacted by our survey representative and asked to tell us ways you use electricity
and other information that helps us better know, understand and serve our consumers.
Less than 400 Jackson County REMC consumers will be contacted. Service to our members is our
number one priority and we ask customers to report any problems related to the survey by calling us
at 1-800-288-4458 (toll free long distance) or 358-4458 (local calls).
Notice of tariff modification for the
purchase of members’
excess renewable generation
Effective December 1, 2012, Jackson County REMC’s Purchase Offer ”R” for the purchase
of power from customer-owned renewable generation will be modified so that REMC will
begin paying the highest wholesale energy rate that is applicable monthly for all excess generation.
Consequently, amounts paid will increase in the summer and winter months since
rates previously varied by time of day and day of the week.
Visit us online at www.
jacksonremc.com
November 2012 - Page 3

It’s here!
Our new SmartHub enhanced online payment system
Page 4 - November 2012
We are pleased to announce that SmartHub, our new
user-friendly payment and bill management platform,
is available 24/7 either by computer or smart phone*.
With SmartHub, you are able to:
l Pay your bill immediately
l View up to 24 months of billing history
l View electricity usage and history
l View account information
l Receive notifications via email or text messaging
l Access social media
If you used the original online bill payment system, you will be able to use the same email address and password
to log into the new system. If you are a new user, simply click on the New User link on the start page to sign up.
SmartHub Links:
l REMC Website: http://www.jacksonremc.com (look in Payment Services or under the Quick Links)
l SmartHub web link: https://jacksonremc.smarthub.coop
l iTunes App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/smarthub/id474874963?mt=8
l Android Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=coop.nisc.android.smarthub
* Smart phone app for iPhone and Android only.
SmartHub Frequently Asked Questions:
l How do I sign up for SmartHub?
l Is my phone or tablet supported?
l Is the App secure?
l What is the difference between the Mobile App and the Web Version of SmartHub?
l Do I have to change the way I pay my bill in order to use SmartHub?
l I have five accounts. Can I see them all in the App and on the Web?
l How do I make a payment?
l How current is the account information I see in the App or on the Web?
l How do I sign up for notifications and what if I want to receive notifications for multiple accounts?
How do I sign up for SmartHub?
Go to https://jacksonremc.smarthub.coop/ and click on the New User link to get started.
Feel free to contact us at 800-288-4458 if you have
any additional questions.

Is my phone or tablet supported?
Simply search for our SmartHub in the Apple Store® or in the Android®
Market. The FREE App is supported on the following platforms:
l IOS 3.1 and above (iPhone and/or iPad)
l Android 2.1 and above (Smartphones or tablets)
Is the App secure?
Yes! All critical information is encrypted in every transaction and no
personal information is stored on your mobile device. Mobile devices do
offer you the option to store your login information for the App installed
on the device. If you choose to store your login information, any person
who has access to your mobile device can access your account.
What is the difference between the Mobile App and the Web Version of Smart-
Hub?
Our Mobile Apps are native applications that can be downloaded and installed on your compatible mobile phone or tablet
device. The Web version is internet accessible from any web enabled device. Both the App and the Web versions give you
secure access to maintain your contact information, view your bills, see payment history, view energy usage, and to make
payments on your account. The Web version allows you to register your account to receive email and/or text notifications
about your account such as your bill is available, payment confirmation, and an approaching or missed due date. The Web
version also has a My Profile page for you to maintain your password, security pass phrase, contact information, and stored
payment methods.
Do I have to change the way I currently pay my bill in order to use SmartHub?
No. It is only if you choose to pay your bill online that you would need to utilize SmartHub’s bill payment feature.
The other useful features are available to you no matter how you pay your bill.
I have five accounts, can I see them all in the App and on the Web?
Yes, the Web version home page will display all of your accounts with the amounts due as well as hyperlinks
to other detailed information. On the App, tap the Bill and Pay icon. The total due of all accounts is displayed
and you can select different information by account, such as billing history, payment history, and payment options.
How do I make a payment?
On the Web version, you can make a payment to a single account or to all accounts by clicking on the Billing
& Payments button. To pay the total amount owed on multiple accounts, click the Pay Now button in the upper
right corner of the screen or the Make Payment button on the home page. If you are using the App, tap the Bill
& Pay gadget and tap the Pay button.
How current is the account information I see in the App or on the Web?
The information that you see on the App and on the Web are shown in real-time. However, if you keep your App or the Web
version open for an extended period, you should refresh the page in order to ensure the information is current.
How do I sign up for notifications and what if I want to receive
notifications for multiple accounts?
You must log into the Web and click on Notifications. Select the preferred notification method (Text, Mobile Push, or Email)
and fill out the appropriate notification information based on your selection. Click Next to continue, verify the notification
parameters, and then confirm. If you have multiple accounts, you will be prompted to indicate which account the notification
is for.
November 2012 - Page 5

Seven more homes certified in the
Touchstone Energy Home ® program!
Liz and Harold Morgan built this
2-1/2 story home with a square
footage of almost 4,000. It is
heated and cooled by two efficient
air-to-air heat pumps. The
home rated a 57 on the HERS*
index. Congratulations on your
new home!
* HERS stands for Home Energy
Rating System. Under this
system, the lower the score, the
more efficient the home.
Page 6 - November 2012
Troy and Melissa Thompson built
this gorgeous home near Vallonia.
Troy is a registered Touchstone
Energy Home builder. This home is
heated and cooled by two air-to-air
heat pumps. The living space is
comprised of almost 4,600 square
feet and came in on the HERS* rating
at 59. Congratulations on your
new home!
Mark and Helen Ledgerwood worked with Big J Design and Construction on this unique 1,600 square foot home in Salem.
The heating and cooling unit is a very efficient air-to-air heat pump. The home rated an 81 on the HERS* index. Congratulations
on your new home!

These two homes were built as
speculative properties by the
Jamison Group LLC, located in
Scottsburg. The top home is
comprised of almost 1,100 square
feet and features an efficient heat
pump and spray foam insulation.
Also included is a solar panel on
the garage roof. The home rated
a 75 on the HERS* index. The
bottom home is comprised of 1,600
square feet and is conditioned by
an air-to-air heat pump. The HERS
rating came in at 78.
* HERS stands for Home Energy
Rating System. Under this system,
the lower the score, the more
efficient the home.
Roger and Linda Pollert
worked with Runge
Construction to build this
exquisite home with 5,000
square feet of living space.
It is heated and cooled
with a geothermal system.
This home scored a 39 on
the HERS* index. Congratulations
on your new
home!
Brian and Tammi Covert hired EP Construction
to build this beautiful ranch style home.
The living space reaches almost 5,000
square feet and utilizes a geothermal system
for their heating and cooling. The home
scored a 39 on the HERS* rating index.
Congratulations on your new, very efficient
home! The Covert home is featured on the
front cover of this issue of “Watt High Lights.”
November 2012 - Page 7

Food for health
National Diabetes
Awareness Month
by Betty Baute
Member Services Representative
According to the American Diabetes
Association, more than 18.8 million
Americans have been diagnosed with
diabetes --- and I am one of them.
There are also approximately 7 million
Americans with undiagnosed diabetes,
and 79 million who are considered
to be pre-diabetic.
With the help of a good doctor and
health coaches, living with diabetes
can be easy --- and tasty. Setting up
a diet plan with a qualified dietician
is the first step in getting one’s blood
sugar under control.
The American Diabetes Association’s
website (www.diabetes.org) offers
great information on diabetes and
has recipes with nutritional information
available at the click of a mouse. The
recipes I’m sharing this month are
three tried-and-true goodies that I
gleaned from the ADA website. Why
not log onto the site and find some
new favorites --- whether you have
diabetes or not!
Coming Up:
Holiday sweets
& treats
It’s hard to come up with special
holiday goodies when it’s just the
two of you. While it’s okay to make a
regular batch of something and then
freeze the leftovers, it’s also nice to
be able to make something fresh to
enjoy. Next month we’ll include some
“holiday” special recipes that will make
just the right amount to keep you from
nibbling on leftovers.
Page 8 - November 2012
Chicken, potato & vegetable bake for 2
2 small boneless skinless chicken 1/4 cup chopped onion
breast halves 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes, 1/4 cup light Italian dressing
peeled & cubed 2 teaspoons grated Parmesean cheese
Heat oven to 400°F. Place chicken and vegetables in small baking dish; drizzle
with dressing. Bake 1 hour or until chicken is done (165ºF). Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutritional Information (per serving) 70 calories; 5g total fat; 1.5g saturated fat; 0g
trans fat; 70mg cholesterol; 590mg sodium; 27g carbohydrates; 3g dietary fiber;
6g sugars; 28g protein Exchange: 1-1/2 Starch; 1 Vegetable; 3 Meat (L); Carb
choices: 2
Apple pie oatmeal for 2
2 cups water 4 teaspoons Splenda® Brown Sugar Blend
1 cup old-fashioned oats 2 tablespoon chopped apple
dash salt 1 dash apple pie spice
Stovetop Directions: Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in oats and salt.
Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat 5 minutes. Microwave Directions:
Combine water, oats, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover tightly with heavyduty
plastic wrap; fold back a small edge to allow steam to escape. Microwave
on HIGH 2 1/2 to 3 minutes; stir well. Top oatmeal with Splenda® Brown Sugar
Blend, chopped apple and spice. Nutritional Information (per serving) calories: 200;
calories from fat: 25; total fat: 2.5g; saturated fat: 0.5g; cholesterol: 0mg; sodium:
400mg; total carbs: 37g; dietary fiber: 5g; sugars: 9g; protein: 5g
Holiday spiced tea (16 servings)
12 cups water, divided use 1-1/4 cups Splenda® No Calorie Sweetener,
6 tea bags granulated
4 cinnamon sticks 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
2 teaspoons whole cloves 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Bring 8 cups water to a boil. Pour over tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags, squeezing gently. Stir in Splenda®, orange juice, and lemon
juice. Combine remaining 4 cups water, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a small
saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Pour mixture through a
wire-mesh strainer into tea mixture, discarding spices. Pour into mugs and serve
tea hot. Garnish with lemon slices, orange slices, whole cloves and cinnamon
sticks, if desired. Nutritional Information (per serving) Calories: 30; total fat: 0g;
cholesterol: 0mg; sodium: 5mg; total carbs: 8g; dietary fiber: 1g; sugars: 7g;
protein: 0g

Let’s talk about it!
Stay warm & save
energy this winter
by Madeline Keimig,
Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
On top of staying warm throughout the winter months,
a lot of people worry about saving money and energy.
According to a poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, four out of 10
consumers are worried about money this holiday season.
The average family spends $2,024 a year on energy; nearly half of that goes towards
heating and cooling costs. Stay warm and save energy with these helpful winter tips:
= Pick smarter light bulbs. Decorate for the holidays efficiently with strands of
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Using LED holiday lights for 12 hours a day cuts seasonal
lighting costs by 90 percent when compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights.
= Check furnace filters. Be sure to clean or replace your heating and cooling
system’s air filter. At a minimum change the filter every three months; a dirty filter clogs
the system, making the system work harder to keep you warm.
= Install a programmable thermostat. Is your home alone most of the day?
Programmable thermostats can reduce heating bills up to 10% with the ability to automatically
turn temperatures down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours a day.
= Insulate water heaters and pipes. Wrap water pipes connected to the
water heater with foam, and insulate the water heater, too. To save about $75 annually,
on average, consider lowering the water heater temperature from 130 degrees to 120.
= Bundle up your home. The more heat that escapes from cracks, the more
cold air enters, causing your system to work harder and use more energy. Use an
incense stick to spot air leaks. When it’s windy outside, hold a lit incense stick near your
windows, doors, and electrical outlets. If the smoke blows sideways, you’ve got a leak
that should be plugged with weather-stripping, caulk, or expandable foam.
= Use a low-flow shower head. About 14 percent of your energy bill funds
water heating. Low-flow shower heads can minimize water use by up to 50 percent—a
helpful change, especially when extended family members visit for the holidays.
Want more ways to save? Take the home energy savings tour and see how little
changes add up to big savings at www.TogetherWeSave.com.
Sources: Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Energy Information Administration, Consumer Reports
Madeline Keimig writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, the
national branding program for 700-plus electric cooperatives in the U.S.
Call us about
rebates before
you buy
The REMC’s incentive
program for new water
heaters and HVAC systems
will continue into 2013.
There could be some minor
changes throughout the year,
however. It is always a good
idea to contact the REMC
before making a purchase.
At the present time, newly
installed equipment eligible
for the program includes:
* Standard water heaters
that are at least 40-gallon in
capacity and have an energy
factor of no less than .90.
* Heat pumps and central
air conditioners that are rated
a minimum of 14-SEER.
* Heat pump water heaters
(both new and add-on units).
* Geothermal HVAC systems
(both new and replacement
units).
For more information visit
www.jacksonremc.com or
contact our Member Services
Department.
Jackson County REMC
reserves the right to modify
or discontinue the incentives
at any time without notice.
November 2012 - Page 9

COMMUNITY
CALENDAR
Brown County
November 17 - 2nd Annual Hilltop
Handcrafted Christmas Bazaar to benefit
Hilltop Christian Camp; October 27 &
November 3 at Nashville Christian Church
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; November
17 at Columbus First Christian Church
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact Eric
(812-322-2889) for more information or to
request a booth space.
Jackson County
November 17 - 18th annual Crothersville
FFA Craft Show from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. Two gyms filled with more than 100
tables of crafts available. Entertainment
at 10:30; lunch available; free admission.
Contact Linda Maxie (812-793-2051 or 812-
793-3781) for more information or to inquire
about booth space.
November 17 - 22nd Annual SEPAC
Holiday Arts & Crafts Market at the Sey-
Page 10 - November 2012
mour American Legion annex. Event hours
are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No admission
charge; 40 to 50 vendors; lunch served by
the American Legion Auxiliary. Proceeds
benefit the Special Education Parents’
Advisory Council to fund scholarships that
support disabilities. For more information
contact Beth White (812-445-3815).
To have your non-profit group’s event listed in our
“Community Calendar,” please contact us by letter, phone or
e-mail (bbaute@jacksonremc.com) at least six weeks before
your event date. Include a phone number we can call to
verify your information.
November 30, December 1, 2, 7
& 8 - Jackson County Community Theatre
presents the holiday musical “Plaid Tidings”
at the Royal-Off-the-Square Theatre in
Brownstown. Tickets are $10.00 for adults,
$8.00 for seniors & students; advance
purchase at Family Drug or Bever’s Family
Pharmacy is recommended. Doors open at
7:00 p.m., show starts at 7:30 for evening
performances; doors open at 2:00 p.m.,
show starts at 2:30 for Sunday matinee.
Call the theatre (812-358-5228) for more
information.
December 1 - Annual Immanuel Guild
Cookie Walk at Immanuel Lutheran Church
EAP underway for the
2012-2013 heating season
The application process for the 2012-2013 Energy Assistance Program
(EAP) heating season has begun. Households headed by the elderly
and handicapped are being processed first, followed by low-income
households. You may call the Community Action Program (CAP) for
your respective county as shown on the list below for more information
or to schedule an application appointment:
Human Services - Bartholomew and Jackson Counties
Ohio Valley Opportunities - Jefferson, Jennings and Scott Counties
Hoosier Uplands - Lawrence and Washington Counties
South Central CAP - Brown and Monroe Counties
Community Action of Southern Indiana - Clark County
in Seymour from 9:00 a.m. until cookies are
gone. Price depends on size of decorated
container you select. Contact Lisa Lewis
(812-522-5498) for more information.
December 8 - 8th Annual Snow Flake
Christmas bazaar and cookie walk from
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brownstown
United Methodist Church. Contact Margo
Brewer (812-358-2924) for more information
or for a booth space applications.
Lawrence County
November 16 - Holiday supper and auction
at Erie United Methodist Church. Event
begins at 5:30 p.m. Contact the church
office (812-279-1731) or Barbara Little
(812-279-5441) for more information.
Scott County
December 15 - Breakfast with Santa
from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Scott County
Lodge #120 F&AM on highway 31 in Austin.
No charge, but donations will be accepted.
Contact Barry Parks (812-794-2042) for
more information.
REMC office
closings
The REMC office will be closed on the
following dates during the coming holiday
season:
Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23 for
Thanksgiving
Monday & Tuesday, December 24 & 25 for
Christmas
Tuesday, January 1 for New Years Day
A crew will be on standby to handle outages
and emergencies.

Do we have your
phone number?
It’s important to keep the lines of communication between you and your REMC open, so it is
very helpful to have your correct phone number --- whether it is a landline or cell phone --- on file
with us. Here are some of the ways having your phone number helps us serve you better:
Outage calls - When you call us during a power outage we’ll probably ask you for your phone number. Why? Because most
people don’t memorize their electric account number, but everyone knows their phone number. If we have your correct phone number
on file we can use it to quickly access your account and location information and make a speedy outage response. And, we sometimes
call members to verify power has been restored.
Planned service interruptions - Sometimes we have to disconnect power lines in order to do maintenance during our regular
business hours. If we have your phone number on file we will try to contact you in advance of shutting the lines down.
Payment questions - If we have questions about a payment, or if something about your bill doesn’t seem quite right, we’d like to
be able to give you a call to discuss the situation.
Please check your next bill for the phone number we have on file. You can find it in the bottom left portion of your bill, just above your
name and address. If it is incorrect, just write your correct number on the bill before you send it in or give us a call (1-800-288-4458 toll
free or 358-4458 for local calls) to give us the correct information.
Recycle your old refrigerator or
freezer -- and pick up some
cold cash!
A rebate check of $30.00 will be mailed to the customer within 4 to 6 weeks
after the appliance has been collected.
To schedule a pick-up call JACO Environmental at
1-877-395-5535 or visit www.jacksonremc.com to find a
link to JACO’s website.
November 2012 - Page 11

TELEPHONE (812) 358-4458
TOLL FREE (800) 288-4458
During regular office hours you will be connected with
our switchboard operator. After regular hours you will be
connected with our answering service. Please call during
regular office hours for all business other than outages or
emergencies.
OFFICE HOURS
7:30 AM to 4:30 PM - Monday through Friday
FAX only - 812-358-5719
E-mail - info@jacksonremc.com
Web site - www.jacksonremc.com
Pay bill online - visit our website
Pay bill by phone - 1-888-999-8816
When calling or writing please give the name and
account number shown on your label or billcard.
So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
~ from “The First Thanksgiving”
by Arthur Guiterman (1871-1943)
American poet & humorist
Happy Thanksgiving from
the employees and directors of
Jackson County REMC.