It’s back! Socktober was such a success in 2018, Kenergy is asking its members to donate more new socks and make a difference again this October. Last year, Kenergy members and employees donated over 6,000 pairs of socks and helped many children and families in need. This year, we want to double that number, but we need help from you.

WHY SOCKS?

Socks are the most needed, but least donated article of clothing. Socks are necessities for all of us, but can be a luxury for someone in need, especially during the winter months. Working with schools in the Kenergy service areas, collected socks will be donated to Family Resource Centers.

WHEN CAN I DONATE?

Collection dates are October 1^st through 31^st. Members and employees can bring donations to any Kenergy office during the month of October. You can also drop off your sock donation at any Kenergy office during our Member Appreciation Day on Thursday, October 3^rd. A simple donation can make an imperative impact on lives in your community.

WHERE CAN I DONATE?

New socks (size infant through adult) may be donated at any Kenergy office:

• Owensboro – 3111 Fairview Drive
• Henderson – 6402 Old Corydon Road
• Hawesville – 315 Hawes Boulevard
• Hanson – 2620 Brown Badgett Loop
• Marion – 3000 Mott City Road

Residential members can now text in outages and receive status reports when the lights are out.

Be sure to enroll before you experience an outage. The texting system updates once daily, so new enrollees can’t use the program immediately after they sign up.

Enrolling before an outage guarantees the system will be available if you experience trouble with your electricity in the future.

Even though the kids will be out of the house during the day now that school is back in session, you could see a bump in your energy bills.

As the school year begins, busy students will be using the family computer more to write papers and complete school assignments. Shorter days mean more lights go on in the evening to do homework. If everyone’s up before the sun, lights go on earlier.

Manage the extra energy use. Here are some tips to conserve energy as your kids head back to school:

• Teach your children how to put the computer into sleep mode when they are finished using it, even if they plan on returning later. Electronics in sleep mode use about 80 percent less electricity than when operating at full power.
• In the market for new computer equipment this year? Computers with an ENERGY STAR rating use 70 percent less electricity overall, while monitors bearing the label draw 90 percent less.
• Desk lamps and other concentrated task lighting create a productive work environment without wasting excess light. If yours are older, replace their halogen or incandescent desk lamps with LED bulbs, which fit most fixtures and produce less heat while using less electricity.
• Bicycling or walking to school two days a week can save gas and give kids much-needed exercise now that summer days of play are over. If the commute is too far, organize a carpool with parents in your neighborhood to earn yourself a couple of mornings off.
• Do a thorough inventory of school supplies before heading to the store to reduce waste. Supplies often come in bulk packages that won’t run out before the end of the school year.
• Buy reusable sandwich bags and use lunchboxes instead of brown bags to save money and reduce everyday packaging waste.

It’s almost time to call your heating technician for your system’s annual check-up. But just because you’re between service calls doesn’t mean you should ignore your equipment.

Your role in maintaining your air-conditioning or heating system is just as important as the job of the service technician who performs your annual maintenance inspection. Keep tune-ups quick and costly repairs to a minimum with these simple tips for year-round maintenance.

Between visits:

• Change your furnace and air-conditioning filters often. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate.
• Remove plants, fallen branches and debris from your outdoor HVAC equipment. Objects that are too close can prevent adequate air flow.
• Indoors, vacuum registers and air vents regularly. Heating contractors say simple dust and dirt cause almost half of their service calls.
• Move furniture and drapes away from registers.
• If something seems off about your HVAC equipment, call for service early. Odd sounds and smells could be warning you of a bigger problem.

Our annual Member Appreciation Day will be held Thursday, October 3rd at all Kenergy offices! Come out any time from 11am until 2pm for lunch, door prizes, and free buckets and bulbs (while supplies last). We look forward to seeing you.

You’d think that a machine designed to keep your clothes fresh and clean would clean itself. But washing machines need to be cleaned at least once a year.

Think of the dirt, grease and grime that your washer handles on a near-daily basis. They power the worst out of diapers, grass-stained denim, food-stained cotton and more.

Your clothes emerge spotless, but they leave some of that gunk behind. Laundry detergents can build up in the tub, pump and hoses. That build-up can make your washing machine less efficient and also can harm your clothes.

So clean it out. Here’s how:

• Fill your empty washing machine tub with hot water. Pour in three cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
• Remove the fabric softener receptacle and bleach dispenser and soak them in hot, soapy water. Nudge stubborn dirt and stains with a Q-tip.
• Sponge off the agitator and all the of tub’s surfaces.
• Use vinegar and a washcloth to wipe down the machine’s exterior surfaces.
• Check your washer’s hoses for weak spots or leaks. You may need to replace your hoses every five years or so.