Utility poles remain the backbone of most electric distribution systems. After more than 80 years since electric cooperatives first set them throughout rural Indiana, they remain the most cost-effective way to safely support power lines, insulators, transformers and other electric hardware. Occasionally, either through a vehicle strike, lightning strike, ice storm, tornado, or simply age,… Continue reading.

Saving energy isn’t difficult, but it’s not automatic. You need to plan to buy energy-efficient appliances and to develop energy-wise lifestyle habits.  Here are 11 easy things to do around the house to save electricity and pare down your energy bill: Install a programmable thermostat to help you save energy while you work and sleep. … Continue reading.

If you see condensation on your windows, it means the panes are not efficient enough to keep the cold air out. Same goes in the summer: Single-pane windows are not high-quality enough to keep your cool, air-conditioned air indoors. Those foggy windows are trying to tell you something: Replace them. Moisture in the air condenses… Continue reading.

Spring’s renewal traditionally means cleaning time, too: sweeping out the winter dirt from the garage, washing the windows, scrubbing the floors. While you’re spiffing up the house, don’t neglect your appliances. Dust the refrigerator. Refrigerators exchange heat through a system of coils. A buildup of dust and pet hair will make the unit run longer… Continue reading.

“Energy hogs” are villainous creatures that feed on wasted energy. Don’t let your home be their home, too. Insulate your house. Insulation traps warm air inside so you don’t have to turn up the heat. In the summer, it keeps the cool air in and warm air out, reducing the amount of energy it takes… Continue reading.

Electric bills vary with the seasons, driven by weather and consumer use patterns. Weather matters when talking about electricity and your bill. When it’s cool outdoors, family members generally want the house warm. When it’s warm outside, air conditioners make living areas pleasant. How much weather affects your bill depends upon many factors, including your… Continue reading.

Just out of high school, Scot Price was uncertain about the direction he wanted his life to take. He took a manufacturing job assembling electric meters in West Lafayette, knowing it wasn’t going to be long term. In 1990, he took a job on the other side of the meter — at Tipmont REMC —… Continue reading.

Valentine’s Day has always meant wining and dining, dancing and romancing. But this year, the continuing cloud of COVID-19 has kept Cupid on the q.t. Leave it to Indiana’s enterprising wineries and vineyards to keep the crafted potables Hoosiers have come to love accessible and a part of this Feb. 14 or any special occasion,… Continue reading.

Jackson County was not named after the President Andrew Jackson — contrary to popular perception. Rather, it was named in honor of Gen. Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812. Obviously, the same person — but different circumstances. Jackson County was formed in 1816,… Continue reading.

Now’s a good time to go through that ever-growing stack of old bank statements and shred them. The Federal Trade Commission warns that identity theft if the fastest growing crime in the United States, and those old documents — along with the tons of credit card offers that arrive in the mail regularly — could… Continue reading.

Proper maintenance of your car or truck will increase its fuel economy and put dollars back in your pocket in the form of savings. The U.S. Department of Energy offers these tips: Check tires regularly. Underinflated tires not only can run hot, shortening their lives, they also lead to more gasoline use. About 4 million… Continue reading.

Besides heating and cooling your home, heating your water uses more energy than anything else in the house. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the typical family spends up to 18 percent of its utility bills on water heating. Good news: It’s simple to lower that cost. Here are eight tips: Get… Continue reading.