Keep It Cool!

An air conditioner’s filters, coils and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air-conditioning performance, while energy use steadily increases.

Filters

The most important maintenance task to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters reduce the amount of airflow and significantly reduce a system’s efficiency. In addition, when airflow is obstructed, air can bypass the filter and deposit dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

For central air conditioners, filters are generally located somewhere along the return duct’s length. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings or in the air conditioner itself. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room.

Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air-conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

Coils

The air conditioner’s evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary.

Outdoor condenser coils can also become dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. You can easily see the condenser coil and notice if dirt is collecting on its fins.

You should minimize dirt and debris near the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, falling leaves and lawn mower are all potential sources of dirt and debris. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.

Fins

The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air-conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a “fin comb” that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.

Hiring a professional

When your air conditioner needs more than regular maintenance, such as when it does not reduce the indoor temperature to a comfortable level, hire a professional service technician. A well-trained technician will find and fix problems in your air-conditioning system. The technician should:

• Check for correct amount of refrigerant
• Test for refrigerant leaks using a leak detector
• Capture any refrigerant that must be evacuated from the system, instead of illegally releasing it to the atmosphere
• Check for and seal duct leakage in central systems
• Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
• Verify the correct electric control sequence and make sure the heating system and cooling system cannot operate simultaneously
• Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections and apply a non-conductive coating if necessary
• Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear
• Check the accuracy of the thermostat

Minnkota Power Cooperative, Nodak’s wholesale power provider, will be inspecting its transmission lines in preparation for vegetation maintenance activities in 2024. This inspection will allow Minnkota to evaluate vegetation growth around electrical infrastructure and within the right of way. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that electricity can be delivered safely and reliably to your area, as well as prioritize project work. Davey Resource Group will be assisting Minnkota personnel in the patrols. If you have questions, please visit Minnkota.com or call 701-795-4000.

Cooperative member-owners are best served by directors who are well-versed in democratic principles and who understand the industry and how this industry can move forward to meet changing demands. Their education is the cornerstone of effective self-governance. 

Recently, David Brag completed three NRECA training programs for the board: the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate (CCD) program, Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) program and Director Gold Credential program. The CCD program consists of five courses that focus on basic governance knowledge and essential skills required of cooperative directors.

The BLC program consists of a series of courses focusing in greater depth on specific industry and governance issues. The Director Gold Credential program recognizes directors committed to continuing their education beyond the CCD and BLC and who desire a tangible credential that demonstrates their ongoing commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability. These programs provide a valuable set of knowledge and skills that will benefit Nodak Electric and our members. 

One of the biggest problems that occurs during thunderstorms, ice storms or whenever the high winds of North Dakota blow through Nodak’s service territory, are power outages caused by trees falling onto power lines and causing electric service to drop. Preventative maintenance by regular trimming of trees and brush along power lines helps cut down on the number of outages, as well as annoying blinks.

Our crews are constantly patrolling line and reporting problem areas where trimming/removal needs to be done. When we get a call from members regarding a tree in or close to the line, a crew member will investigate and determine what needs to be done. Removing trees is a last resort, but occasionally needs to be done to ensure the safety of the homeowner and the integrity of the line. If you have any questions regarding the proximity of a tree to a power line, please call and we will work together to determine the next action needed.

Yes, clearing trees can be inconvenient for our members, but to avoid future outages and keep members safe, Nodak focuses on clearing tree growth near power lines. Members are responsible for making sure trees aren’t growing into the line that comes from our meter to your house or out buildings.

All of Nodak’s efforts to clear trees around our power lines are rooted in safety. We encourage our members to be mindful of safety for our crews, as well as the permission to clear trees from lines to help provide safe, reliable, and affordable power. Remember that having properly maintained right-of-way corridors helps reduce or eliminate power outages.

Addyson Hefta recently returned from the Youth Tour. She said, “The North Dakota Youth Tour was one the best experiences I have had. I met so many new people from not only North Dakota, but Montana, Georgia, and many other states, too! I had so much fun doing all the touristy activities and even just hanging out at our hotel. We did so many different things. Some of my favorite were touring the Capitol, talking to Sen. John Hoeven, seeing the Lion King at the Kennedy Center, pin-trading with other states, going to the Nationals game, touring Gettysburg, and the river-boat cruise! I’ve gained some really close friendships from Youth Tour and if I could do it again, I would do it a thousand times more! Thank you so much Nodak Electric for sponsoring me to attend Washington, D.C.!” 

The North Dakota Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to the nation’s capital for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Addyson Hefta won this year’s Nodak Electric Cooperative essay contest and received an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., courtesy of the cooperative.

Steve Breidenbach Retires

Steve Breidenbach retired in June after 44 years of serving the members with his contagious energy and enthusiasm. If you have stopped by the co-op during the last four decades, you’ve likely heard Steve’s infectious laugh. 

Steve has fulfilled many roles since he first was hired in 1979 as a Member Services Representative. He was promoted to Engineering Representative in 1982, followed by promotions to Planning Engineer (1990), Systems Engineer (1995), and finally Engineering Manager (2010). As Engineering Manager, Steve is responsible for the Engineering and Dispatch departments, along with the design and updating of all of Nodak’s distribution lines. Throughout the years, Steve’s job duties changed, but his eagerness to help members and co-workers never changed. 

Steve and his wife, Cindy, who also just retired, plan to spend their summer at the lake with family and friends, followed by winter fun of cheering on his favorite UND hockey team. The Breidenbachs have two children, and four grandchildren they plan to spoil. 

“Thank you, Steve, for always supporting the co-op and your many years of dedicated leadership. Your laughter and positive attitude will truly be missed. Enjoy the fruits of all your years of great work. Here’s to wishing you a relaxing and wonderful retirement,” said Nodak CEO Mylo Einarson.

Cole Johnson Promoted

Cole Johnson was recently named as the new Engineering Manager at Nodak Electric, succeeding Steve Breidenbach, who retired after an impressive 44 years of service. In this new role, Cole will provide direction and leadership for the Engineering, Metering and Dispatch departments, as well as leading the design and modernization efforts for Nodak’s distribution grid. 

Originally from East Grand Forks, Minn., Cole received an electrical engineering degree from the University of North Dakota and a master’s in Business Administration from the University of Mary. Cole joined Nodak in 2011 as an intern and was hired full time as an electrical engineer in 2012. 

Cole and his wife Janafer recently welcomed a newborn daughter into their family. They currently reside in rural Grand Forks, N.D.

Bryce Langerud Hired

Nodak Electric Cooperative welcomes Bryce Langerud, a Harwood, N.D., native, to the Nodak team as a receptionist. Her duties include handling inbound phone traffic, processing cash receipts and service orders. Bryce attended Northland Community and Technical College for business management. Her previous work experience includes time as an optometric technician at Opticare, East Grand Forks, Minn. She enjoys reading, going to the races, hanging out with family, friends, and her two cats. 

Seasonal apprentices

Brian David-Clark
Minot, N.D.
Construction Crew

Gage Metzen
Hankinson, N.D.
Cavalier Crew

Trevor Werchau
Minot, N.D.
Grand Forks Crew

Kim Soper retires, Kacie Tretter gets promoted, Brad Bergman and Chris Becker join the construction crew.