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Your electric power is generally reliable, but outages do happen. Extended outages can be inconvenient or uncomfortable, depending on the weather. For many homeowners, including those with security or medical issues, reliable backup power is more than just a luxury. These concerns, combined with a growing dependence on electronic gadgets, has increased interest in backup generators. However, proper generator selection and operation is critical for the safety of your home and family. Selecting a generator There are two basic types of generators available: portable and standby. Portable generators are fueled by gasoline, diesel or propane. Portable units are easy to use and mobile. However, they provide limited power and must be refueled periodically. Standby units are mounted on a concrete pad outside the home, like an air conditioning unit. The generator is connected to the home by an automatic transfer switch (ATS). Standby units are typically fueled by natural gas. They turn on automatically and don't require refilling. Standby units, however, are typically more expensive. Which type of generator is right for you? The answer depends on your budget, fuel cost and availability, and your backup power needs. Follow these tips to ensure safe operation no matter which type you choose. Standby generator safety Make sure the unit is installed by a qualified contractor according to the National Electric Code and local building code standards. Don't attempt to permanently connect your generator to the electrical system in your home or any building. The electricity generated will backfeed to outdoor power lines, where it can kill or injure service personnel attempting to restore power. The ATS prevents this from happening. Portable generator safety Before starting your generator, carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Generator fuel exhaust can be dangerous. Always locate your generator outside and away from windows; never run a generator inside a garage or an enclosed space. Handle fuel carefully. Turn the generator off before refueling and store fuel in a safe location. Make sure the total electrical load on your generator doesn't exceed the generator's rating. Never attempt to plug portable generators directly into an outlet or your circuit panel. Use only outdoor-rated, grounded extension cords sized to handle the current draw. Keep cords out of the way so they don't present a tripping hazard. Never run cords underneath rugs or carpet. For more information, see the Safe Generator Use guide from the American Red Cross.

Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), while low-flow fixtures use only 2.0 gpm or less. Showering accounts for 20% of residential indoor water use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That's about 40 gallons per day or 1.2 trillion gallons used each year in the U.S. just for showering. The EPA estimates that the average family could save 2,900 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demand on water heaters, they will also save energy. In fact, the average family could save more than 370 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power a house for 13 days.

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.

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.

In high wind situations, there’s the potential for power outages due to branches, limbs and trees coming into contact with power lines. Our region has been notified of a high wind warning, forecasting wind gusts as high as 60 to 70 miles per hour for most of Iowa. We are monitoring the conditions and staying in close contact with our power providers. Follow these safety tips to keep you and your family safe: If at all possible, stay at home and off the roadways to allow emergency personnel and utility crews to tend to the injured and damaged areas. Make an effort to have alternative sources of light and heat available to you – whether it be candles, generators, or just warm clothing and flashlights with fresh batteries. Listen to your weather radio or stay tuned in via social media or wherever you get your breaking weather information. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Tune in to a local station or check the weather app on your phone for up-to-date information and instructions. Weather conditions can change without warning and can move fast. Our cooperative will communicate outage and restoration information via our social media platforms and website so if you aren’t connected with us, make sure to do so as this is the fastest way to get information to you, in real-time. You can also check statewide outage information on the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives outage map. Again, make sure your cell phones, laptops, and other smart devices are charged up to access this information. Stay away from all damaged or downed power lines, and any object that may be in contact with them, as the lines may be live. Assume that all downed power lines are energized. Instruct others to stay away, too. Call 911 to inform your local utility of damaged lines, or downed trees that may be in contact with power lines. This is true of lines at your home, in your neighborhood, or when you are driving. If you come in contact with a downed power line while driving, stay in your vehicle and wait for a utility to make sure the line is de-energized before exiting the vehicle. Before entering storm-damaged buildings, make sure the electricity is turned off. Again, contact your local utility if you need instructions on how to safely disconnect utility lines. If you detect the smell of gas or suspect a leak, leave the house immediately. Call 911 and your utility to alert them of the issue. Do not light an open flame or flip any switches in the house. Exercise patience during a power outage. In almost all cases, crews will not be sent out to perform restoration procedures UNTIL IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. And, If you come upon utility crews working on the side of the road restoring power, please move over and slow down so they have room to work safely! (It’s the law!) Do not turn off power if you have to stand in water to do so. Call your utility and have them turn off your electricity at the meter. Never drive through a flooded roadway. There is no way of knowing how deep the water is. A good rule to follow is to turn around, don’t drown. Never enter a flooded basement if electrical outlets, cords, or appliances are underwater. The water could be energized by electricity. When cleaning up storm damage outdoors, do not use electrical tools if the ground is wet. Also, do not use electrical equipment that has been damaged by water. Have your water-damaged items inspected and approved by a professional before using them.

When Ice storms coat power lines, high winds can lead to lines that bounce and buck around. While rare, this movement is known as "galloping lines". Power lines are designed to sway, but if a wire is weighted down with ice and is pushed around from wind it could move close to a grounded component or an energized conductor and a short will occur. Galloping lines are a dangerous situation as power lines can touch one another or break and fall to the ground while energized. Another safety concern is the ice, itself. Ice can form around power lines in a teardrop shape. This shape acts like a wing, causing the line to gain lift and rise with winds. With high winds, the ice could break off, causing unsafe conditions on the ground. The power lines that NIPCO (Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative) uses to transmit power on its 69KV (kilovolt) high-voltage power lines throughout western Iowa are designed to withstand up to 1.5 inches of ice and 50 MPH (miles per hour) winds. Our cooperative, who receives power and transmission services from NIPCO, works to ensure that our system remains reliable and safe in the face of whatever Mother Nature throws our way. If you see power lines moving around forcefully, stay away and call the police or your local electric cooperative. If you experience a power outage, contact our office and wait for our crews to restore power. In the meantime, check out 22 Ways to Unplug if the Power Goes Out and if you use a space heater, check out this helpful article, too.

If you’ve noticed a few leaky areas in your home, maybe a draft around an exterior door or a window, sealing those leaks is a quick and easy-to-accomplish New Year’s resolution that can provide you with greater comfort. A bonus: taking these actions may also lower your utility bills for the remainder of the winter and beyond, especially when we experience weather extremes. EXTERIOR SEALING One of the simplest and cheapest means to reduce energy use this winter, and throughout the year, is to seal air leaks on a home’s exterior walls. Caulk and weather-stripping materials are relatively inexpensive and available at hardware and big box stores. It is relatively simple and inexpensive to complete some basic weatherization on a home’s exterior. Most homes can be weatherized around windows, doors and at the base of exterior siding using caulk, weather-stripping and flashing. You'll need to wait for a relatively warm day to do exterior caulking (be sure to check the caulk to find the temperatures needed for application). If this winter proves to be too cold, you may have to wait until spring. Do-it-yourself caulking tips Remove dirt and grit or any loose paint from areas to be caulked (small cracks, gaps). Choose your timing. Try not to caulk in rainy weather or when the temperature is below 40 degrees. Consider also that caulk sets faster on hot days, leaving less time to trim or clean up messy spots. Caulk around new holes or disturbances to outside walls whenever additional pipes or cables are installed. You can also use caulk to seal any gaps between the wall and the trim on your windows. Apply caulk in a continuous motion, forcing it into cracks around windows, by holding the caulk gun at a 45-degree angle to the work surface. Release the handle just before reaching the end of the crack to prevent “run-on” and to reduce waste. Filling larger gaps A can of expanding foam sealant can be used to fit larger, irregularly shaped gaps. You may need to use fillers to plug extra-wide gaps. Fillers come in a wide variety of materials—cotton, fiberglass, foam and sponge rubber. However, these fillers are not designed for exposure to the elements so you will need to caulk or seal over them. To close gaps too wide for foam use foil-faced bubble wrap. For really large holes, cut sections of rigid foam insulation to fit and glue into place with expanding foam before covering the area with wood or another appropriate building material. SEALING INDOORS Put plastic on windows if needed, caulk and seal air leaks around attic doors, and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers and switch plates. Foam gaskets are used to seal switches and outlets that do not already have a tight seal against the wall. Air can leak through interior walls, flowing up into the attic, as well as through exterior walls. So, install the gaskets on all your walls, exterior as well as interior ones. Plastic safety plugs can be used to stop air leaks through unused electrical outlets. Other steps to lower utility costs In cold weather, turn the thermostat down as much as safely possible, especially when sleeping or whenever the home is unoccupied. A programmable thermostat can help you automatically adjust the temperature for maximum savings and comfort. Add layers of clothing and bedding. Also, turn off extra lights, electronic devices or infrequently used appliances. Contact us about conducting a home energy audit and for advice on other steps you can take to keep your monthly electric bills as low as possible. Source: Iowa Utilities Board More Information ENERGY STAR's Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Sealing Effective Means of Reducing Energy Costs from the Iowa Utilities Board

Extreme winter weather can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can suddenly be hit with heavy snowfall or intense cold. Winter storms can result in closed streets and highways, power outages, and flooding. Take action now to ensure the safety and comfort of your family in the event of extreme winter weather. Before a storm Have snow removal equipment on hand, as well as rock salt to melt ice and sand to improve traction. Regular fuel sources may be cut off, so make sure an alternative is available to heat your home. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Fires pose an additional risk when alternate heating sources are in use. Locate your main water supply and valves; make sure you know how to shut them off in case a pipe bursts. Repair roof leaks and keep gutters clear. Trim any tree branches that could fall during a storm. Winterize by caulking and weatherstripping doors and windows, sealing the attic area and installing storm windows. This will help to keep your family safe and comfortable during a storm. During a storm Listen to your radio, television, or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information. Eat regularly and drink ample fluids but avoid caffeine and alcohol. To conserve fuel, keep your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms. Stay dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent the loss of body heat. Watch for signs of frostbite; these include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers and toes. If symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately. Drive only when necessary. If you must drive, travel on main roads during daylight hours. Keep others informed of your whereabouts. After a storm Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death in the winter. If you must shovel snow, stretch before going outside. Help neighbors who may require special assistance including infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation and open all faucets; pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold. Do not try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame. Follow forecasts and be prepared when venturing outside. Major winter storms are often followed by extremely cold conditions. A little forethought and attention to detail will help to ensure that you and your family stay warm, dry and safe this winter, no matter what the weather is outside.

Poor indoor air quality can lead to health issues such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory health problems. While we often think of indoor air as protecting us from polluted outdoor air, the opposite may be true; according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoor air. That’s because many homes have poor ventilation and circulation of air. The trapped indoor pollution comes from a wide range of sources including smoking or vaping, pet dander and hair, chemicals stored in the home, mold or water problems, gas appliances and wood-burning heaters. The list could go on. What a room purifier can do A room air purifier helps clear the air, capturing harmful particles and droplets (including viruses from people coughing, talking or breathing) in a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter can capture at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles according to a report in Real Simple magazine. What to check before buying Labels. Look for an Energy Star logo since purifiers should run 24/7 to be effective, and you won’t want to waste energy on a less-efficient model. An AHAM Verified seal lets you know that the clean air delivery rates (CADRs) and room size guidelines listed on the label are accurate. Your room size. Make sure you purchase one that is large enough to perform correctly in the room where you place it. That the high-efficiency particulate air filter is a HEPA, not a “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-type” filter as those are not the same thing. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) on the HEPA filter. The higher the MERV number, the more effective the filter. That there is a carbon filter along with the HEPA filter. Having an activated carbon filter will help clean up VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and odors. Cost of replacement filters, as these must be replaced at least several times a year (it depends on the brand).

While the joys of homeownership are numerous, there are also a lot of maintenance tasks necessary to ensure your home, appliances and systems are working properly. Keeping up with those tasks is necessary to ensure your home is safe for you and your family, to keep the systems running as efficiently as possible and to prevent small problems developing into large (and more expensive to fix) issues. While an entire list is lengthy and also dependent on your home and lifestyle, here are a few common tasks you may not be on top of. See a more complete list of seasonal maintenance tasks here. Inspect fire extinguishers at the same time you check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working. After all, if you do have a small home fire, you want to be sure your extinguisher will work. Follow these steps for checking your extinguishers. Clean bathroom exhaust fans twice a year. Moisture accumulating on the surface of the cover can turn into mold and the fan can’t properly expel moisture and odors if the cover is dirty. A thorough cleaning with soapy water can keep the fans operating properly. Clean your kitchen fan (range hood or a fan included in an over-the-stove microwave). Kitchen vent hoods are similar to bathroom fans, but with grease and food particles accumulating in the hood/filter, instead. This is an important cleaning job as accumulated grease can cause a fire. Clean monthly if you cook a lot. Find more details on how to clean a range hood here. Clean your dryer vent at least twice a year. While you probably empty the lint filter after every load or two, you need to go beyond that to prevent drier fires. Lint also builds up through the entire duct system so your ductwork must be thoroughly cleaned out. And don’t forget to clean the discharge area where the ductwork vents outdoors. Even if blocked ductwork doesn’t start a fire, it can slow down the drying process and use more energy than needed. Test your sump pump and check the backup battery system (if you have one). Checks should be made monthly or quarterly, especially before times (such as spring rains and floods) when basement flooding is a hazard. Here is a detailed description of the steps in maintaining sump pumps. Clean refrigerator coils. Out of sight, out of mind is a common reason many of us fail to perform routine maintenance. That is especially true of cleaning refrigerator coils. Coils are often at the back of the refrigerator (meaning you must move your fridge out from the wall to access them) and may be covered with a panel that must be removed. Keeping the coils clean, a task that may take only 15 minutes a couple times a year, can save energy and extend the life of the appliance. Here is a how-to. Clean window weep holes. To keep outside water from entering your home through your windows, one or several “weep holes” are located in the window frame between the window glass and the outdoors. Those holes allow water to drain. If the holes get plugged with dirt and debris, water can back up and flow inside. Check this system twice a year. See a video showing how to clear the holes, keeping in mind that different window systems may recommend slightly different ways to unplug the holes. Keep drains flowing and avoid leaky pipes and faucets. Frequently—and systematically—check for leaks under sinks; if you find moisture or a musty smell, do further checking to determine where the moisture is coming from. At the same time, test sinks and showers for speed and drainage. If the drainage is slow, you probably need to clear that drain. Also turn on each faucet to be sure no handles or valves are leaking. If any of these areas show problems, get the drain, pipe or faucet fixed ASAP to prevent bigger problems from developing. Remove calcium deposits from shower heads. If the water pressure on your showerhead has decreased, it may be because of calcium-deposit blockage. removing calcium buildup using vinegar may be the answer to greater comfort and efficiency. Here’s how. P.S. You can use vinegar to keep your dishwasher and clothes washer deodorized, mildew- and rust-free, too. Clean and sanitize your in-refrigerator water dispenser and ice maker. Occasionally—and definitely if you notice an off-taste, a weird smell or cloudy ice cubes—take time to ensure your water and ice are safe to use. Follow the details in your fridge’s use and care manual (look online if you can’t find your hard copy). Generally, you need to replace water purifier cartridges periodically for clean water, and for ice makers, dump old ice, wipe down all in-freezer components and thoroughly wash out the ice bin. Next month: Details on another important maintenance task: Maintaining your water heater.

We use our cell phones, tablets and other devices so often that they feel like an extension of our hands. There are a few places where using a device that is plugged into an outlet can be hazardous, however. Do not use a cell phone or other device when it is plugged into an outlet when you: Are in or near a pool or hot tub. Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Electrical current running through water can cause shock or electrocution. Are in the tub or by the sink. Never extend your cell phone or device so that you can reach it while bathing; also, do not plug it in near standing or running water. Are in bed or other soft places. A device can overheat when placed on or under a pillow or soft bedding. Also, charging cubes and cords can malfunction, causing burns, shock or other serious injuries. Hear thunder or lightning. Lightning can cause power surges that are not only harmful to electrical (charging) devices but also to you. Source: Safe Electricity