Search Results

February is a time for us to pause and reflect upon the relationships that we hold dear. Being a member of an electric cooperative means that your relationship with us goes well beyond providing you with the energy you need to power your lives every day. The cooperative business model is the best one on earth. Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place. Our poles have roots and those roots run deep. We take pride in serving our member-owners because we are your neighbors, and we care very much about providing the highest level of friendly, reliable, and dependable service you expect and deserve. Here are six reasons to love being a member of your electric cooperative. Our mission. Electric co-ops were established to provide at-cost electric service. Providing safe, reliable, and affordable power has remained our mission since day one. You are a member, not a customer. Cooperatives are unique businesses because they are owned by you, the member. This means you have a voice in the way we run the co-op. Members elect the co-op’s board of directors and can run for a seat on the board if they wish to do so. Your vote and participation help shape the direction of the cooperative. We are not-for-profit. Unlike investor-owned utilities, which are operated to make the most profits for stakeholders, electric co-ops do not earn profits. Instead, any margins or revenue remaining (after all expenses have been paid) are returned to members in the form of capital credits. Capital credit returns are based on each member’s years of participation in the co-op. We are local, community-focused businesses. Because we are owned by the members we serve, electric cooperatives have a strong commitment to our local communities. In addition to providing safe, reliable, and affordable power, electric co-ops are involved in local community development programs and projects, such as Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Youth Tour (and other youth engagement programs), etc. We are guided by a set of principles. All co-ops operate according to the same set of Seven Cooperative Principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community. These principles guide every decision made by the co-op. We are committed to innovation. Because we answer to local members rather than far-away shareholders, electric cooperatives are more nimble and able to respond quickly to changing member needs. We are committed to experimenting and innovating in ways that benefit the local communities and members we serve. From all of us to all of our members, have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Are you looking to save energy and live more sustainably? The New Year is the perfect time to start fresh. With these resolutions, you can make some simple changes to your lifestyle that will have a positive impact on your energy bill and the environment. Use less energy. Start simple: turn off lights and electronics when you're not using them. Next, adjust the thermostat when you're not at home to save energy. A Wi-Fi programmable thermostat is a low-cost upgrade that can optimize savings and add convenience. Light maintenance helps as well, like changing your furnace filter regularly to improve heating and cooling system efficiency. Make your home more energy efficient. Start with lighting. Upgrade to LEDs, which use up to 80% less energy and last far longer than conventional incandescent bulbs. Check for air leaks in exterior doors and windows and seal with weatherstripping or caulk. Contact a qualified professional to conduct an energy audit of your home. You'll receive a customized set of recommendations that will optimize efficiency and comfort. Buy green. Think about what you’re purchasing. Do you really need it? If you do buy, select products and packaging made from recycled and recyclable materials. Reuse and recycle. Don’t just throw things away; find ways to reuse them. Examples include boxes for storage and old clothing as rags. Separate waste — such as cans, bottles and plastic — and recycle them. Eat local and organic. Organic foods are produced using sustainable practices and local foods reduce transportation and storage. Look for organic food at the grocery store and visit your local farmer's market. Use water wisely. Clean water isn't an infinite resource. Use less by taking shorter showers and only running your dishwasher and clothes washer when you have a full load. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. New Year's resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep but stick with it. The lower energy bills, combined with the knowledge your actions are making a difference, should be enough to keep you going all year long.

You get a call or a visit from someone claiming to be from your energy company. They explain that your bill is past due and threaten to shut off your service if you don't make a payment. However, you know your monthly bill was paid. Do you need to worry? The answer is yes, but not for the reason you might think. Energy bill scams are becoming increasingly common. Scammers will use aggressive tactics, such as insisting your account is delinquent and threatening to shut off service immediately. As a customer, it can be difficult to ignore these convincing phone calls, emails and even home visits. To protect yourself from scams, be on the lookout for these red flags: Demand for payment in unconventional ways, such as cash, bank transfer or a check in their name Requests for personal information such as your social security number and bank account numbers The scammer has no proof of employment with your energy company and isn't wearing branded clothing or materials In some cases, scammers will use seasonal bill spikes as an opportunity to swindle energy customers. For example, they might show up at your door with a fake promotion to help you save money. This type of fraud is most common in the summer and winter months when increased energy demand leads to higher bills, and customers may be more receptive to savings opportunities. Follow these steps if you encounter an energy bill scam: If a suspected scammer shows up at your home, lock the doors. Report the suspicious activity to your local law enforcement. Contact your energy company and explain the situation. Spread the word to family, friends and neighbors so that they don't become victims of the scam. Report the scam at StopFraud.gov, a U.S. Department of Justice website. Keep in mind that if your bill is in fact unpaid, our cooperative will not immediately disconnect service. First, you'll receive a bill highlighting the overdue amount. If this payment is still not received, the next step is a disconnection notice. Our cooperative will give you ample time to make payments and will never use threatening tactics. With this knowledge, you can empower yourself against scammers.

What are the code requirements for home electric vehicle charging stations? Understanding the installation requirements for an electric vehicle charger can be overwhelming. If you are considering an electric vehicle and wish to install a charger, the best way to begin is to call our cooperative. We offer rebates on installing electric vehicle chargers, and our energy experts will work with you to take the guesswork out of the process. The National Electrical Code has a number of requirements for electric vehicle chargers, found mainly under Article 625 Electric Vehicles Charging Systems: The equipment shall have sufficient rating (volts and amperage) to supply the load served. Each outlet installed for the purpose of charging electric vehicles shall be supplied by an individual branch circuit. Each circuit shall have no other outlets. Equipment connected to the premises wiring system using receptacles shall be rated for either single-phase 125-volt AC (60-volt DC) at 20 amps for portable or stationary chargers, or single-phase 125- or 250-volt DC or three-phase 250-volt AC, both up to 50 amperes for stationary chargers only. The receptacles shall be of the non-locking type. For cord-connected chargers with the personnel protection interrupting device located within 12 inches of the attachment plug, the length of the charger power supply cord (receptacle to charger) shall be between 6 and 15 feet. If the interrupting device is in the charger supply box, then the power supply cord shall not be more than 12 inches long. The electrical supply conductor (cable) to the receptacle in the garage shall be protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid metal conduit or other means. The nearest outside surface of the power supply cable or raceway cannot be less than 1 1/4 inches from the nearest edge of the framing member or furring strips (where nails or screws are likely to penetrate). The overall usable supply plus output cable length shall not exceed 25 feet unless equipped with a cable management system that is part of the listed electric vehicle supply equipment. Charging stations should be installed by a qualified electrician. Contact our office for more information on rebates and ways to ensure your charger operates efficiently. We can also help you work with your local building inspector about any local or state installation requirements.

Iowa-based builders and contractors are invited to learn about energy-efficiency technologies at the 2023 Momentum is Building (MIB) Conference, scheduled for Feb. 16 and 17, 2023, at The Meadows Events Center in Altoona, Iowa. A major draw for electricians, plumbers and HVAC professionals is the opportunity to earn CEU credits at the conference. MIB attendees can also network with industry professionals, hear from recognized energy-efficiency and building trades experts and gain insight on trending technologies. Registration is open at www.MomentumIsBuilding.com. Sponsored and organized by the Iowa Cooperatives for Energy Efficiency (ICEE), the annual Momentum is Building Conference also connects Iowa’s construction industry with the local services and resources available from Iowa-based electric cooperatives, who serve nearly 650,000 Iowans across 99 counties. “Iowa-based electric cooperatives have long supported energy- efficiency efforts and one of our goals is to help member-consumers use energy wisely,” states Angela Catton, manager of member relations and development at Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative. “We invest in this conference to build relationships between cooperatives and the contractors who provide services to the members we mutually serve.” “Informing contractors about cutting-edge energy-efficiency and beneficial electrification technologies is important to Iowa-based electric cooperatives,” said Ryan Cornelius, vice president of corporate relations at Corn Belt Power Cooperative. “For almost thirty years, the Momentum is Building Conference has provided both electric cooperatives and contractors an opportunity to come together to provide rural Iowans with safe, efficient and cost-effective home comfort solutions.” Tolu Omotoso, director of energy solutions at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) will kick off the conference by covering the evolving relationship between utilities and their members and how to leverage member-owned smart devices in the home for grid services. Other topics include sessions on promoting the value of home certifications and how to prepare contractors for large, new federal home improvement subsidies to come online as well as employee management best practices for small businesses. The conference will close with motivational speaker, author and 5-time “National Coach of the Year,” Jim Miller who will share the value of “Going the Extra Mile.” Miller’s message to attendees will be, “If it’s Important to your success, ‘Do It Anyway’.” MIB 2023 will be held at The Meadows Events Center beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, running through noon on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Registration is available online at www.MomentumIsBuilding.com. Early Bird registration is available until Jan. 18, 2023. For more information about the conference, please contact our office.

Holiday meals are an important part of the celebrations you share with family and friends. All of that extra baking and cooking, however, can really add up on your energy bills. These simple, cost-saving tips will help you enjoy the festivities while trimming your energy budget. Preheat the oven to the exact temperature required; preheating is not necessary for foods that cook for several hours. Avoid opening the oven door. It wastes energy and lowers the temperature by as much as 25 degrees (F). Use glass and ceramic baking dishes. They retain heat better than metal, allowing you to reduce the oven temperature. Bake multiple batches of cookies or pies at one time to help conserve oven energy use. Match stovetop pots and pans to the size of the burner to avoid wasting energy. Cover pots and pans while cooking to prevent heat loss and reduce cooking time. Clean burners after every use. A clean burner heats more efficiently, using less energy. Slow cookers are an energy-efficient alternative for baking some holiday dishes. Microwaves also use less energy than conventional ovens. Save energy by reheating holiday leftovers in the microwave. By following these measures, you can enjoy a happy holiday season and lower energy bills.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year 860 home fires are caused by holiday decorations and another 210 are caused by Christmas trees. To avoid becoming a statistic, follow these tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI): Keep decorations at least three feet away from heat sources, especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. The best decorations are safe decorations, so when you’re decorating, make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture, as walking on the cords or bending them can cause damage. If you have a live Christmas tree, water it to keep it fresh and safe. Always turn off lights and other electric decorations when you leave your home and when you’re sleeping. If you’re using extension cords or adaptors that add receptacles, it’s safer to have a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home to avoid overloading your outlets. Only use electronics in dry areas; if lighting outdoor areas, use only those approved for outdoor use. Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand, not under the blankets or your pillow. If the phone is insulated by bedding, generated heat can’t dissipate and can cause a fire. Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom; outside sleeping areas; and on every level, including the basement. If you are using a space heater, switch it off before leaving the room. Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. If you replace them, be sure to purchase items approved by a national testing lab such as UL, Intertek or CSA. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach from small children and pets. The best gift for your family is an arc-fault circuit interrupter on breakers or outlets. Many electrical fires that occur could have been prevented by AFCIs. Source: ESFI.org

The weather is turning cooler, and the nights are growing longer. How much you save on energy bills this winter may be dependent on the steps you take now to make your home warmer and more comfortable. Some projects can be tackled by a homeowner (depending on your skill and level of perseverance) while others are best completed by a hired professional. Doors and windows DIY: Replace worn weather stripping around all doors and windows. Caulk around gaps in windows and doors. Install storm doors if you don’t have them. Hire a contractor: Consider replacing older windows and doors with newer, more energy-efficient models. Insulation and air sealing DIY: Add foam insulation gaskets to electrical outlets and switches on external walls (turn the power off first). Seal gaps in attic knee walls, soffits and basement rim joists by stuffing in pieces of insulation. Hire a contractor: Check insulation levels and install according to the recommended level in your area. Heating system DIY: Replace your furnace filter regularly throughout the heating season. Vacuum your in-floor or in-wall vent covers regularly. Hire a contractor: Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your furnace/HVAC system each year, as well as cleaning any HVAC system components that might need it. If your heating and cooling system is older, replacing your system with an efficient electric heat pump system (air-source or geothermal) may be the most energy-efficient option. Contact us or a reputable dealer for information on models, installation, rebates and any tax credits that may be available. Other inexpensive fixes from Building Performance Institute Use the sun’s heat to your advantage. In the fall and winter, keep shades and curtains open to let sunlight heat your home. Close them as the sun sets to keep cold from seeping in. Turn your ceiling fan to “winter mode” with the blades turning clockwise to help push heat down from the ceiling into the room. Move furniture and other objects that may be blocking vents to improve air flow. Keep your doors and windows locked; this helps keep them pushed tight against the weather stripping to prevent air leaks.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are an important electrical safety feature. A GFCI outlet contains a sensor that monitors the amount of power going to an electrical appliance. If there is an interruption in current the GFCI cuts the power, potentially saving a life. These monitors are especially critical in bathrooms, kitchens and anywhere else water is present in the environment. Because GFCIs can fail without notice, it’s important to check them monthly. Pick a day you will remember, such as the first or last day of the month, so you are sure to maintain a regular schedule. Follow these instructions to safely test your GFCIs. Shut off power before you test; to confirm the shutoff: Plug in a lamp or other device The item you plug in should not turn on To test the GFCI outlet: Find the test and reset buttons Press the TEST button You should hear a snap sound that trips the outlet THD11011NOV or THP11011NOV To reset the outlet: Once you confirm the GFCI is working properly (that the outlet does not work when tested), press the reset button to restore power to the outlet Retest for all other sockets in your home Other options for testing: You can also buy a GFCI outlet tester with a display and test button GFCI protection can also be installed on circuit breakers to safeguard an entire circuit. They should be tested monthly by pressing the test button on the breaker. If working properly, the interrupter should shut off power to the circuit. Source: Safe Electricity

Thanksgiving Day is by far the leading day for home cooking fires, with more than three times as many cooking fires occurring on that day as a typical day of the year. In 2019, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments on Thanksgiving, a 228 percent increase over the daily average. Meanwhile, cooking is by far the leading cause of home fires year-round, with unattended cooking serving as the leading cause. The spike in cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day can largely be attributed to the fact that it often involves cooking multiple dishes at once, along with lots of distractions that make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove and in the oven. But there’s no reason to let these activities and circumstances put a crimp in anyone’s meal plans. Keeping a close eye on what’s cooking on the stove and in the oven, along with understanding where potential hazards exist in and around the kitchen, can go a long way toward ensuring a fire-safe holiday. Following are tips and recommendations for cooking safely this Thanksgiving: Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention. When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly. Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times. Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area. Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source. Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance. Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. Kids should also stay away from hot foods and liquids, as steam or splash from these items could cause severe burns. In addition, The National Fire Protection Association strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers, as these can lead to severe burns, injuries and property damage. Grocery stores, food retailers and restaurants often sell deep-fried turkeys, which can serve as a safe alternative to frying one at home. Source: National Fire Protection Association

A few years ago, we heard a lot about copper being stripped out of vacant buildings and homes just being built. Power lines and electric cooperative substations in rural areas were hot targets, too. That’s back when the price of copper was high, as much as $4.50 to $4.75 per pound. While the price has dropped to the $2.70 to $2.80 range, copper thefts are still occurring. We just don’t hear as much about the thefts. Why is copper important? Copper corrodes slowly, is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of electricity and heat. Because of its features, it is used in: Electrical wiring and motors Roofing, gutters and rainspouts Plumbing Fiber optics, cell towers, emergency sirens, irrigation systems, airport control towers and rail lines It’s important to electric cooperatives because copper is used to ground equipment, protecting it from electrical surges and lightning. Copper wire is used in substations and in neighborhood transformers, to step down high-voltage electricity before it goes through power lines to your home or business. What happens when thieves steal copper? Of course, that depends on where the thief is operating. If the thief is attempting to access power lines or high voltage electrical equipment, that person is in great danger of electrocution. The theft of a small amount of copper can cause extensive damage to equipment, costing utilities or building owners thousands or millions of dollars in repairs and replacement. Pulling copper from an electrical system can also cause widespread power outages to households and businesses. Missing ground wires can energize components that normally are safe; anyone who comes in contact with those dangerous components may be injured or killed. What your cooperative does to prevent theft Install fences, warning signs, and powerful lighting at substations and other electric facilities. Install security cameras or sensors to, both, deter thieves and to record or notify authorities of any illegal actions taking place. Some cooperatives stamp copper wire with an ID number so that, if stolen and the thief tries to sell it at a recycling center, the site will recognize where it came from. Work with local law enforcement for extra patrols near potential theft sites. What you can do If you notice anyone hanging around an electric substation or electric facilities (other than your cooperative personnel) call the police. If you see an open gate, open equipment or hanging wire at a substation or around other electric facilities, contact your cooperative immediately. Store wire cutters and other tools in a secure location, install a surveillance camera to deter thieves and have a neighbor watch your home when you are away. Here is an innovative hack: Spray paint your copper pipes black to make them appear to be regular plastic tubing, rather than valuable copper.

Whether you are a veteran hunter or trying it for the first time, you must be familiar with hunting safety rules: wearing a bright orange vest, keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot, and only pointing at your target. Along with those safety requirements, be sure to add these electrical safety tips to your list: Familiarize yourself with the location of power lines and equipment on land where you shoot. Be especially careful in wooded areas where power lines may not be as visible. Take notice of warning signs and keep clear of electrical equipment. Do not place deer stands on utility poles or climb poles. Energized lines and equipment on the poles can conduct electricity to anyone who comes in contact with them. Do not place decoys on power lines or other utility equipment. Anything attached to a pole, except for utility equipment, is an obstruction and poses a serious hazard to line crews. Never shoot near or toward power lines, power poles, transformers or substations. A stray bullet could not only damage equipment, potentially interrupting electric service, but could be deadly to the shooter. Damage to the conductor could drop the line to the ground, causing a possibility of electrocution to those nearby. Don’t make line workers hunt for problems caused in a hunting area; if you cause or simply notice a problem with lines, poles or equipment, let the co-op know. Sometimes damage isn’t noticed for several weeks or months, or unless an outage occurs. Keep yourself and your REC safe this hunting season. Source: SafeElectricity