By Garrett Keiser, guest columnist While you may be getting used to the spring temperatures warming you from the winter chill, it won’t be long before the blazing summer sun is heating your house to uncomfortable levels. And just as your heating system was kept busy in the winter, your air conditioner will also be… Continue reading.

Disclaimer: The Energy column provides general information to help you manage your energy costs. Some electric cooperatives may not offer all the programs mentioned in this column. By Bob Geswein, guest columnist With spring comes a natural desire to remodel our homes or perhaps even build a new abode. Often during this time of year,… Continue reading.

Disclaimer: The Energy column provides general information to help you manage your energy costs. Some electric cooperatives may not offer all the programs mentioned in this column. By Stephanie Johnson — guest columnist, Jasper County REMC This spring, the stress you encounter from filing your federal income taxes may be relieved by your tax refund… Continue reading.

By Sharon Barnhart Recent question from an Electric Cooperative Member: “I’m calling because I received my December electric bill, and it seems a little high compared to my usual bill. We keep our house’s temperature set at 78 F and have not changed it much. Could you help my wife and I understand why our… Continue reading.

With the winter weather temperature drops, you may have noticed your house feeling colder than you remembered last year. Or, you may have been reminded that your HVAC (short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system isn’t working the way you liked, and that you’ve been meaning to look into ways to improve the situation…. Continue reading.

Whether you’re purchasing a new washing machine, an electric stove or that new deep freeze for the garage, researching the durability, brand and customer service that accompanies the appliance is common practice. Another key topic to research is the energy efficiency of your new appliance, i.e., how much it’s going to cost to run after the purchase… Continue reading.

By Kim Burton People considering home improvement projects typically think about tackling particular areas of the house. Yet one item that affects the entire dwelling – lighting – is often overlooked. With recent technological developments, it is easier than ever to retrofit existing houses with recessed lighting. Can-less recessed LED lights can lead to significant… Continue reading.

  By Michaela Cox You don’t need a business degree to understand that when you’re running a commercial operation, you need to manage costs. And one of the easiest ways to save on your monthly energy bills is to invest in energy-efficient equipment and appliances. While energy-smart lighting and machines run on less electricity and… Continue reading.

Dear Pat and Brad: Several of my appliances are getting old and will need to be replaced soon. Will the appliance choices I make have much impact on my energy bill? – Chelsea Dear Chelsea: Your energy use varies month to month, so it can be difficult to see how much difference an appliance purchase… Continue reading.

by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen It’s always a good idea to understand how you’re spending your money. You look over your credit card statement carefully each month, so you should do the same with your utility bill. As you’d suspect, analyzing your bill can help you save energy and money. If you live in… Continue reading.

Spending a few hundred dollars on an energy audit now could save you thousands of dollars over time. A home energy audit is a detailed assessment of your home that can give you a roadmap for future energy-related investments: • What efficiency investments will be most effective in reducing your energy bills? • Why might some areas… Continue reading.

by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen Ready to make your home more energy efficient? The first step in beginning a renovation project is finding the right contractor. Here are some things to consider when deciding who to hire. Educate yourself so you can be in control of your project. Use reputable sources, like energy.gov, energystar.gov… Continue reading.