The first successful U.S. cooperative was organized in 1752 when Benjamin Franklin formed the Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by Fire — the nation’s oldest continuing cooperative. Electric cooperatives began because it was not cost-effective for investor-owned utllities to string power lines into rural areas in the 1930s.  Indiana Electric Cooperatives, the statewide service… Continue reading.

When the economy is uncertain, it’s good to know that your neighbors have your back. One of those good neighbors is your electric cooperative. Your electric co-op exists to provide you safe, reliable and affordable energy. Equally important is our mission to enrich your lives. Your electric utility is locally owned. In fact, you and… Continue reading.

Operation at cost is part of the cooperative difference. Electric cooperatives aren’t like other utilities. You, as a consumer and a member, own a portion of the business. And one benefit of that membership involves the allocation of excess revenue, called margins, in the form of capital credits. Electric cooperatives operate at cost, collecting enough… Continue reading.

If your pleasant warm shower is quickly chilled by a sudden rush of cold water, it may be time to consider replacing your home’s water heater. Fortunately, a variety of options exist that can lower long-term energy costs, including heat pump water heaters (HPWHs). They utilize the same technology found in heat pump heating and… Continue reading.

It can be an exciting and exhausting time, the culmination of a season of hard work. However, the rush to harvest can also yield tragic outcomes. Each year, dozens of farm workers are killed, and hundreds are injured in accidents involving power lines and electrical equipment.   Farm workers should take these steps to ensure… Continue reading.

Electronics, mobile devices, TVs, computers, and gaming stations have become fixtures in our homes,  particularly those with children. Consumer electronics coupled with the more and more smart home appliances, technology, and electric vehicles have slowly but steadily changed our homes and lifestyles. COVID-19 is forcing us to spend more time at home and has forced… Continue reading.

As school buses resume roaming roads and the sun starts setting sooner, it won’t be long before autumn arrives. Yet before pumpkin pie aroma fills the air and Halloween costumes decorate storefronts, you can still take advantage of the late summer to prepare your home for the fall and winter. Some suggested considerations include: Tackling… Continue reading.

Every year, some 5,000 people are scalded by hot tap water. Most of these accidents involve the elderly and children under the age of five. Just two seconds of exposure to water that’s heated to 150 F will cause a third-degree burn — the most serious type — in most adults. If water is heated… Continue reading.

Follow these tips if you’re painting indoors: A well-ventilated house makes for a healthier home under any circumstances. But it becomes even more important when you’re tackling an interior painting project.  To avoid health problems when you’re painting the inside of your home: Schedule painting for dry periods in the fall or spring when it’s… Continue reading.

Pressure washers are handy tools. They can clean up almost anything and make a house or deck look brand new. And electrically powered ones are among the only tools that mix water and electricity during use — an otherwise deadly combination.  Pressure washers can be safe to use if you read the manual carefully —… Continue reading.

Late summer and early fall often bring tornadoes and floods to our part of the country. It’s important to take precautions with your home’s electrical system. Debris from storms can easily ignite if they come into contact with downed power lines, especially when electrical wires are severed. Also, standing water and even appliances can become… Continue reading.