Home Wiring Over the Hill?

Home Wiring
Over the Hill?
Consider Easy Upgrades to Boost Safety
Nothing has the charm of an older home on a family farm
or a cute cottage in a historical downtown district. But
cosmetic and structural upgrades are often packaged with
the cozy charm.
water like near a kitchen or bathroom sink or
outdoors. But in older homes, GFCIs may not have
been installed. It is fairly simple to replace old
receptacles with GFCIs; hire a professional to upgrade
outlets near water.
5. Wind causes lights to blink. If you notice your lights
blinking on windy days, it may be due to worn wiring
in the weatherhead (where overhead lines enter
your home). Contact a licensed electrician to check
weatherhead wiring.
When upgrading your home, a fresh coat of paint and
updated fixtures may come to mind. But what about hiring
a professional to update the wiring behind a switch plate
or outlet? Do you know the hidden dangers of aged wiring
in your home? Don’t take on wiring problems yourself—
electrical upgrades often require a professional who knows
what inspections and permits are needed.
Here are a few clues to find out if your home’s electric
network needs a professional switch.
1. Type of wiring. Modern wiring is insulated, meaning it
is covered in plastic. Older homes may have copper or
aluminum wiring. Copper wiring can work just as well
as modern wiring if it is still in good condition and has
not been altered or improperly installed. However, fire
risk increases in homes with both cooper and aluminum
wiring. Corrosion to aluminum from copper can lead
to loose connections causing fires. Use only aluminumapproved switches, outlets, and other accessories if your
home has aluminum wiring.
2. Plugs fall out of outlets easily. Loose plugs are a high
fire danger. Older outlets that have lost their grip need
to be replaced. Luckily this upgrade is affordable.
3. Not enough outlets. The increasing use of chargers
for phones and many other electronic devices means
outlets are in high demand, especially in older homes
where outlets are not as plentiful. A lack of outlets can
result in overuse of extension cords and power strips.
Be sure to use quality, 14-gauge or thicker cords that are
approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Never overload
an outlet. Overloading can cause heat, leading to fire
risk. Consider hiring a licensed electrician to add outlets
to your home.
4. Danger in wet areas. GFCI (ground fault circuit
interrupter) outlets are now required in areas around
Source: This Old House, Underwriters Laboratories
Kelly Trapnell writes on safety issues for the National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington,
Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumerowned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
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Sam Houston Electric Cooperative News
Co-op Connections Savings
Sam Houston EC hosts Safety Code Training
standard that establishes the rules
used in the design and maintenance
of power systems.
In February, Sam Houston Electric
Cooperative hosted a group of
engineers, inspectors, and operations
and safety personnel at its training
facility east of Livingston.
Your Co-op Connections Card can save
you money on everyday purchase items
and services. To learn more, visit
www.connections.coop/samhoustonec.
Turn to page 22 for a complete listing
of our local participating businesses.
The savings don’t stop there. In
recent months, Sam Houston
Electric Cooperative and Touchstone
Energy® complimented the already
popular pharmacy benefits offered
through the Co-op Connections
Program by also introducing “My
VIP Savings” and “The Healthy
Savings Discounts” programs.
Training isn’t always about learning
a new skill set. More often than not,
it involves revisiting coursework and
working knowledge used every day.
The National Electrical Safety
Code is an industry-wide accepted
Celebrate Earth Day with Sam Houston EC
We also continue that environmental
stewardship in not only our day-today operations, but also across the
entire spectrum of our long-term
planning as well.
2011 ushered in a new chapter
for Sam Houston EC. After more
than 60 years in the long-standing
headquarters building in Livingston,
the Cooperative staff opened the doors
of a new headquarters building to its
membership last July.
To learn more, visit the web address
listed above.
CONSERVATION
Smart home
landscaping
can lower your
electric bills.
Trees on the east
and west sides of your home provide
shade—and reduce your cooling costs—
during hot summer months. Shade for
your air conditioner can save 10 percent
of your cooling costs. And by adding
vegetation to the north side of your
home, you can reduce winter winds that
trigger higher heating costs.
For even more tips to help improve
the energy efficiency of your home,
visit www.TogetherWeSave.com.
20 Employees from Sam Houston EC,
Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative
and Jasper-Newton Electric Cooperative
[shown above] reviewed the 2012
National Electrical Safety Code during
a two-day course sponsored by Texas
Electric Cooperatives.
April 22, 2012, marks the 42nd
anniversary of the founding of Earth
Day. Since 1970, Earth Day has
been an annual reminder of how
important it is for us all to be good
stewards of our planet. The past
four decades have seen amazing
advancements in energy efficiency
and in our ability to generate costeffective renewable power.
The building was designed with a long
list of energy efficiencies. The actual
structure of the building, however,
was not the only environmental
consideration. The landscape
surrounding the building changed
dramatically during construction, so
in the coming months, Sam Houston
EC will be planting new trees around
the headquarters campus.
At Sam Houston Electric Cooperative,
we’re proud to be leading the way to
a cleaner energy future, by expanding
the use of hydropower and harnessing
opportunities to generate electricity
with biomass technology.
Help us celebrate Earth Day. Come by
and visit any Sam Houston EC location
April 20th or 23rd, and receive a free
CFL—while supplies last.
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Learn more at www.earthday.org.
Debunking Energy Myths
of Energy, recommends adjusting
your thermostat up in the summer
and down in the winter by 8 degrees
Fahrenheit while you’re asleep or
away from your house.
Myth #2: I can save money simply
by installing a programmable
thermostat.
On their own, programmable
thermostats do not make your
heating or cooling system more
efficient. Their money-saving value
lies in their ability to, once properly
programmed, automatically regulate
the temperature inside your house
to coincide with when you’re there
and when you’re not. If you need
help programming your thermostat,
directions are usually available from
the manufacturer’s website.
Interested in saving energy to lower
your electric bill, but confused about
new technology and information
available to help you do so? Separate
fact from fiction with the following
energy-saving myths.
Myth #1: It takes less energy to
have my thermostat maintain a
comfortable temperature while I’m
away than it does to have it heat up or
cool down my house when I get home.
Myth #3: When I turn off
electronics (like my TV, game
console, or computer) they stop
drawing power from the outlet.
If you’re going to be gone for more
than a few hours, then it is more
cost-effective to turn heat or air
conditioning on once you return
than it is to maintain a comfortable
temperature while you’re out.
ENERGY STAR, a joint program of
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the U.S. Department
Even when turned off, most modern
electronics consume a small amount
of electricity if they’re still plugged
in. Chargers for mobile devices also
consume electricity if plugged in, even
when they are not actively charging
the device. This wasted energy, called
“phantom load,” accounts for as much
as 10 percent of a home’s total electric
use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory. The solution:
unplug your electronics when you’ve
finished using them. Using a power
strip can help you conveniently unplug
multiple devices at once, while newer,
“smart” power strips can automatically
cut off phantom loads on their own.
Myth #4: Compact fluorescent
lightbulbs (CFLs) take forever
to reach full brilliance, have
inadequate light quality or
unpleasant color, and make no
difference on my utility bill.
As with many products, CFLs vary in
quality. Color and brightness differ
across manufacturers, and some bulbs
simply work better than others. Looking
for the ENERGY STAR symbol ensures
that you’re purchasing a high-quality
product. Also, be sure to install CFLs
in fixtures that remain on for long
periods, or that you use often, to get
the maximum energy savings out of
your bulbs. In addition, specialty CFLs
are available for applications such as
spotlighting or bathroom vanity fixtures.
Source: Todd Camnitz, E Source—a
Colorado-based provider of energy
business intelligence.
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Savings
Guide
with your Co-op Connections Card.
As a Sam Houston Electric Cooperative member, you can use your free
Co-op Connections Card at local and nationwide participating businesses
to save on everyday purchase items and services. Pull out your Card
anywhere you see a Co-op Connections sticker. And say hello to the
savings. To learn even more about the Co-op Connections Card Program,
visit www.connections.coop/samhoustonec.
AAA Lawn Maintenance & More
Located: PO Box 656
Onalaska, TX 77360
Phone: 936-646-3169
Hours: M-F, 8-5
Offer: Last month free with signed oneyear service agreement.
B&B Stake Company
Located: PO Box 604
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-2161
Hours: M-Th, 7:30-5; F, 7:30-4:30
Offer: 0.5% discount
B.S.M. Construction
Located: PO Box 1472, Willis, TX 77378
Phone: 936-718-6800
Hours: 7-7
Offer: 10% discount
Bauer Carpet Cleaning & Restoration
Located: 186 Robinson Tract
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-6110
Hours: 7-5
Offer: 10% discount (residential only)
Absolute Drug & Alcohol Testing
Located: 1687 Hwy 59 North
Cleveland, TX 77328
Phone: 281-432-0100
Hours: 9-5
Offer: 10% discount on all services.
Avon - Tish Humphrey
Located: 10535 FM 1097 West
Willis, TX 77318
Phone: 936-890-7299
Hours: 24-hour access to website
Offer: 10% discount on orders up to $30.
20% discount on orders more than $30.
Web: www.youravon.com/Lhumphrey
A-Z Tire & Battery Inc.
Located: 1205 North Washington
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-7032
Hours: M-F, 7:30-5:30; Sat, 8-1
Offer: 5% discount on all merchandise
and labor, excluding special orders.
Website: www.atoztire.com
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Best Air Conditioning & Heating
Offer: Waived $35 application fee and
$100 admin fee.
Website: www.brookplace.info
Budget Rent-A-Car
Located: 2948 I-45 North, Suite 300
Conroe, TX 77303
Phone: 936-788-1593
Hours: M-Th, 7:30-5:30; F, 7:30-6;
Sat, 9-1
Offer: 10-20% discount off all retail rates.
Cake Creations by Kathy Jo
Located: 3329 Hwy 190 West
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-223-2203
Hours: M-F, 9-5:30; Closed, 1-3
Offer: 10% discount on your order of
$30 or more.
Website: www.cakesbykj.com
Located: 3464 Hwy 190 West
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-967-4444
Hours: M-F, 8-5; Emergency Service:
Sat-Sun, 8-5
Offer: 10% discount on parts &
supplies on repairs; $300 off purchase
price on 14SEER or higher complete
system install.
Candilicious Creations
Best Western Livingston Inn
& Suites
Located: 334 Main Street
Liberty, TX 77575
Phone: 936-336-9001
Toll-free: 1-800-833-8282
Hours: M-F, 8-5; First Sat, 9-2
Offer: 20% discount on supplements.
Website: www.carolbond.com
Located: 335 Hwy 59 Loop South
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-8500
Offer: 15% Discount
Brook Place Apartments
Located: 5020 Sam Houston Avenue
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: 936-436-0900
Hours: M-F, 10-6; S, 10-5; Sun, 1-5
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Located: 185 Natchez Road
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-9203
Hours: 8-6
Offer: 10% discount. Use code 010411
when ordering online.
Web: www.pineywoodsindustries.com
Carol Bond Health Foods
Chem-Dry of Montgomery County
Located: 1081 Shadow Glenn Drive
Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-441-7766
Hours: M-F, 8-5
Offer: $20 discount on purchases of
$99 or more at regular price.
Website: www.chem-dry.net/
montgomerycounty.tx
Chic Boutique
Located: 1402 North Washington
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 832-567-3889
Hours: M-Sat, 10-6
Offer: 10% discount on purchases of
$10 or more.
CNS Treasure Chest
Located: 12426 Hwy 105 East
Conroe, TX 77388
Phone: 936-441-2139
Hours: Th-Sun; 9-5
Offer: 20% discount on $20 or more.
Hours: M-F, 8-5; 24/7 emergency service
Offer: 5% discount on labor.
Website: http://davisdoors.weebly.com
Hours: 9-5
Offer: 10% discount
Graphic Design Group
Denim and Diamonds Pre-School
Located: 9309 State Hwy 75 South, #106
New Waverly, TX 77358
Phone: 936-344-2747
Hours: 6 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Offer: 10% discount on fee of oldest
child (or) one free week with paid fees.
Located: 414 Oak Hill Drive
Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-760-3355
Hours: M-F, 9-5
Offer: 10% discount, before tax, on all
design services.
Website: www.graphicdesigngroup.net
Dianne Bass Realty
Guardian Chimney Sweep, LLC
Located: 221 Windsor Lane
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-425-6945
Hours: 8-5
Offer: Listing or selling fee discount
Website: www.dbassrealty.com
Located: 9836 Finch Court
Conroe, TX 77385
Phone: 936-271-9781
Hours: M-Sat, 8-5
Offer: $25 discount on cleaning and
inspection of chimney—regular price $120.
Web: www.guardianchimneysweep.net
Downtown Treasures
Colvin Auto Parts / NAPA
Located: 520 West Church Street
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-6272
Hours: M-F, 7-6; Sat, 8-12
Offer: 10% discount (noncommercial)
Located: 400 North Washington
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-7740
Hours: M-Sat, 9:30-5:30; Sun, 10-4
Offer: 10% discount on nonsale items.
Integrity Drug Screening
Located: 610 South Washington Avenue
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-3398
Hours: 8-4:30
Offer: 20% discount
EASCO Total Comfort
Computer Rx
Located: 26509 Hwy 321, Suite A
Cleveland, TX 77327
Phone: 281-592-0300
Hours: M, T, Th, F, 10-7; W, 10-5;
Closed Sat and Sun
Offer: 10% discount on services.
Located: 2815 Montgomery Road
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: 936-295-3333
Hours: 8-5
Offer: $15 discount on spring and fall
service check.
Located: 1604 I-45 North
Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-521-2150
Offer: Additional discount on new/
used vehicles up to $500. Free
27-point inspection.
Located: PO Box 2603
Onalaska, TX 77360
Phone: 936-577-1096
Hours: 9-9
Offer: 10% discount
Website: www.etexads.com
Located: 2145 North Wheeler Street
Jasper, TX 75951
Phone: 409-384-4166
Hours: T-Sat, 9-5
Offer: One free Rada knife
Website: www.junktiquetx.com
J&L Painting Services
Feren & Company
Crawfish Guy’s Seafood & Catering
Located: 83 Mount Zion Road
New Waverly, TX 77358
Phone: 936-788-4049
Offer: $50 discount
Junktique Antiques & Collectibles
East Texas Living
Cowboy Kia of Conroe
Joey Slott’s Right-of-Way Clearing
Located: 208 Jackstation Road
Moscow, TX 75960
Phone: 936-229-7240
Hours: M-S, 10-8; Hot Meals: Th-S, 11-8
Offer: 10% discount on seafood
platters. 5% discount on seafood
baskets or one free drink with meals.
Located: 221 Rainbow Drive, #12169
Livingston, TX 77399
Phone: 888-221-0421
Hours: M-F, 8-6
Offer: Last bracket (end quantity)
pricing on all Norwood or Bic Graphic
promotional products.
Website: www.ferenandcompany.com
Davis Doors
From Our Heart to Yours
Located: 911 CR 2276
Cleveland, TX 77327
Phone: 281-659-9072
Located: 15283 Holly Lane
Conroe, TX 77303
Phone: 936-264-2918
Located: 15210 Crockett
Willis, TX 77378
Phone: 936-890-3150
Hours: M-Sat, 7-5
Offer: 15% discount
Kate & Company Design
Located: Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-2246
Offer: 10% discount
Website: www.katecodesign.com
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Key Real Estate Inspections
Located: 156 Sandpiper Drive
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-328-0217
Offer: 10% discount on inspections.
Phone: 936-646-5594
Hours: M-Sat, 8-5
Offer: 10% discount on all merchandise
and labor, excluding special orders.
Website: www.onalaskaglass.com
Kids Only Child Care Centers
P&L Errands
Located: 201 Enterprise Row, Suite 10
Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-539-6659
Hours: 6-6:30
Offer: 10% discount
Website: Find us on Facebook.
Located: 2338 CR 2274
Cleveland, TX 77327
Phone: 281-592-5038
Offer: 10% discount
Pace Portraits
Located: 91 Reece Lane
Huntsville, TX 77340
Phone: 936-344-6878
Offer: 10% discount
Located: 410 Forest Drive
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-827-9707
Hours: By appointment only
Offer: 10% discount
Website: www.paceportraits.net
Mark’s Painting & Drywall
Panhead Soil
Located: 12771 Royal Green
Conroe, TX 77303
Phone: 936-203-2186
Hours: 8-8
Offer: 10% discount
Located: 8771 Hwy 190 West
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-646-2661
Hours: M-F, 8-5; Sat, 8-4
Offer: $5 discount on purchases under
$100; $10 on purchases more than $100.
Legally Armed Handgun Classes
Miche Bags & Accessories
Located: 13559 Miller Lane
Willis, TX 77318
Phone: 936-537-8053
Hours: M-F, 9-9; Sun, 10-6
Offer: 10% discount on all Miche bags
and accessories.
Website: www.michebag.com
Paradise RV Park
Milk & Honey Bakery
Located: PO Box 7348
Cut-N-Shoot, TX 77306
Phone: 936-777-0901
Hours: M-F, 8-5; Sat, 10-5
Offer: 10-15% discount
Website: www.milkandhoneybakery.net
Located: 2852 Hwy 190 West
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-967-4094
Hours: M-F, 8-5; S, 8-12
Offer: 5% discount on all ECHO power
products (in stock items only). 10% on
all scheduled maintenance.
Montgomery County Music Center
Polk County Limo Service
Located: 930 West Dallas Street
Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-756-0252
Hours: M-Th, 10-7; F, 10-6;
Sat, 10-5
Offer: 10% discount
Website: www.conroemusiccenter.com
Located: 1141 FM 2457
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-425-5989
Hours: 24/7
Offer: 5% discount
Onalaska Glass & Mobile
Home Supplies
Located: 13451 Hwy 190 West
Onalaska, TX 77360
24
Located: 1510 Hwy 190 West
Woodville, TX 75979
Phone: 409-283-7018
Hours: 9-5
Offer: $5 per day; $20 per month
Peters Tractor & Equipment Co.
R.E. Appraisals
Located: PO Box 471
Coldspring, TX 77331
Phone: 281-592-1748
Hours: 9-5
Offer: $50 discount on appraisals.
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Red Wing Shoes
Located: 2105-D West Davis Street
Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-539-2668
Hours: M-F, 9-6; Sat 9-5
Offer: 10% discount
Rock’n E RV Park
Located: 5221 FM 222
Coldspring, TX 77331
Phone: 936-653-8024
Hours: 9-6
Offer: 10% discount
Simpson Hearing Center
Located: 1105 West Church Street
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-3818
Hours: 9-4:30
Offer: Free hearing test; 25% discount
on MSRP on all new hearing aid fittings.
Smokey Mo’s BBQ
Located: 2960 I-45 North, Suite 500
Conroe, TX 77303
Phone: 936-441-2323
Hours: M-S, 7-9; Sun, 9-7
Offer: 10% discount
Southwood Builders
Located: 5800 Hwy 190 West
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-4333
Offer: 5% discount up to $200.
Website: www.southwoodbuilder.com
Speed Printing of Conroe Inc.
Located: 1105 West Dallas
Conroe, TX 77301
Phone: 936-539-2243
Hours: M-F, 8-5:30
Offer: 25% discount on list price
catalog—printing, office supplies,
furniture. UPS delivery available.
Website: www.speedprinting.net
Stone Electrical Service Co.
Located: 11492 Post Oak Road
Willis, TX 77318
Phone: 281-924-9168
Offer: 15% discount on first service
call, plus 15% on service change or
panel upgrade.
Sue’s Boutique on the Lake
Located: 14011 Hwy 190 West
Onalaska, TX 77360
Phone: 936-646-7175
Hours: M-F, 10-5:30; S, 10-4
Offer: 25% discount on regularpriced items.
The Laser Shoppe & Art Glass Studio
Located: 113 North Danville
Willis, TX 77378
Phone: 936-890-2700
Hours: T-F, 10-6; Sat, 10-2
Offer: 10% discount
Website: www.thelasershoppe.com
DID YOU Know?
You can receive free prescription drug discounts
when you use your Co-op Connections Card. This
added benefit can save you 10 to 85 percent on
prescription drugs at more than 60,000 national
and regional pharmacy locations.
Use your Card at chain stores including CVS,
Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target and many more. You
can even save at more than 20,000 independentlyowned locations as well.
In case of a power outage, call
Sam Houston EC at
1-888-444-1207
es, visit our website at:
For a full list of participating business
Visual Eyes
Located: 117 Southpoint Loop, Suite 200
Livingston, TX 77351
Phone: 936-327-9747
Hours: 8:30-5
Offer: 5% discount on eyeglasses.
Search online to find discounted prices on
prescriptions by visiting www.rxpricequotes.com.
You may find a list of participating locations at
www.locateproviders.com. Use the group, member
and bin numbers located on the back of your
Co-op Connections Card.
www .samhouston.net
Group# 22203TX17
Willis Curves
Located: 10535 FM 1097 West
Willis, TX 77318
Phone: 936-890-7299
Hours: M-F, 6-12:30, 3-6:30;
Sat, 8:30-11:30
Offer: 50% discount on sign-up fee
(12-month check draft only), 10%
discount on all supplements for first year.
Website: www.williscurves.com
Join the Co-op Connections® Card Program. It’s that easy!
We’ll promote your business to more than 51,000 Cooperative
members through Texas Co-op Power magazine and 24/7 on
Winnaway Bed & Breakfast
Located: 5681 FM 1746
Woodville, TX 75979
Phone: 409-331-9944
Hours: 24/7
Offer: $5 discount on regular room rate.
Web: www.winnawaybedbreakfast.com
our website. That’s a pretty big market to advertise in for free!
To join Co-op Connections, contact Sam Houston Electric
Cooperative at 1-800-458-0381 or visit www.samhouston.net.
For more offers, including nationwide
deals, visit www.connections.coop/
samhoustonec.
Search by business name, service
category, zip code or Sam Houston
Electric Cooperative local offers.
Could your business use
some free advertising?
A p r i l 2 0 1 2 • S A M H O U S TO N E C • Y O U R TO U C H S TO N E E N E R G Y ®PA R T N E R
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TOGET HERW E SAVE .C OM
When you save energy, it helps our entire Co-op lower its
costs. Find out what you can do at TogetherWeSave.com, and
spread the word throughout Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.
SOMETIMES KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES IS
ABOUT KEEPING YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS DOWN.