BY BRIAN REYNOLDS One of the keys to understanding the utility industry or your utility bill is understanding the terminology. A common term is kilowatt-hour, the standard billing unit for electrical energy, abbreviated as kWh. It is worth noting that a kilowatt is a unit of power, while a kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy…. Continue reading.
By Rob Powell Energy providers and electric bills often reference kilowatts and the cost per kilowatt hour used. While those terms might be familiar, you might occasionally wonder just what is a kilowatt? The first and perhaps most obvious thing to know is that a kilowatt is a metric unit of power used to measure… Continue reading.
By Steve Hite Your ability to save money on energy costs could be as easy as touching a screen. These days, there’s no shortage of new technology to try or upgrades available to convince you that now’s the time for the next smartphone or watch upgrade. Yet advancing technology also offers you, families, and even… Continue reading.
By Matt Strahl An unexpected power outage likely makes you fly to a far-flung region in your home — your circuit breaker box. Many home circuit breaker boxes can be found in areas such as garages and basements. They are the electrical nerve center of your home; they control the flow of electricity throughout your… Continue reading.
By David Toll When it comes to energy efficiency, the more you know, the better. The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at Purdue University in Indianapolis is doing its part to make businesses more knowledgeable. As one of just 37 IACs on college campuses nationwide and the only one in Indiana, the Department of Energy-funded center… Continue reading.
By Jake Eslinger Many people grumble in the winter that their windows make frigid frozen air feel at home in their house. Some may think that replacements are the answer to energy savings. Yet it’s important to see the complete picture. The moving truth In most circumstances, upgrading windows will not automatically rush in energy cost… Continue reading.
Sometimes, you have to spend money to save money. When it comes to home improvement, with the holidays just behind and tax season just ahead, the challenge is to get the most bang for your buck. Here are a few options to help make your home more efficient and your dollar stretch the farthest. Upgrade… Continue reading.
Many homeowners have considered adding battery storage or a backup generator to provide power when the electricity goes out. Such an addition can be a major investment, costing thousands of dollars. If you have thought about purchasing a backup power source, there are a few questions that you should consider. Why do you want a… Continue reading.
By Marty Lasure LET’S FACE IT: Tackling a home weatherization project can be like a trip to the dentist. You know you need to do it; you know the outcome will be worth it. But that doesn’t stop you from trying to put it off. While we can’t help those with dentophobia, if the cost… Continue reading.
BY JOSH DURBIN Electric cooperatives are transforming how they plan to meet energy demands to account for more renewables, such as solar and wind, powering the energy grid. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., known as MISO, manages high-voltage electricity transmission in 15 central U.S. states and Manitoba in Canada. MISO has updated planning requirements… Continue reading.
By Andy Sommer A quick trip through the aisles of your local hardware store will reveal a steadily increasing array of all-electric tools: chainsaws, lawnmowers, drills and more. These options are just a part of the landscape of beneficial electrification. But what does “beneficial electrification” mean? The concept is not new, but the current emphasis… Continue reading.
By Brian Hawk Many homeowners may one day have a home backup power source parked in their garage — that is the same vehicle driving them around town. As automakers release more EV models, the technology contained in them is growing more sophisticated. Electric vehicles are increasingly built with larger batteries that can travel longer… Continue reading.
By Sandy Cason While electric vehicles are collectively trying to find a foothold with individual consumers, there’s at least one EV market that seems to be firing on all cylinders. That would be electric school buses, which are expected to have a growth rate of nearly 34% over the next five years, according to industry… Continue reading.
