Be sure to check with your local electric cooperative for energy efficiency rebate opportunities. 

This information is provided by Energy Savers, an online resource to help make homes more efficient.

But there’s no oasis of comfort when your home is too cold in winter. That means it’s leaking air—and wasting money.

One of the best things you can do if you have high electric bills is check the insulation. How much is in your attic and basement or crawl space? What kind is it? Is there an air barrier along with the insulation? The answers to these questions will determine how much energy and money you can save.

Air infiltration is one of the main problems for most homes. It’s healthy to have some air flow in and out of your home, but too much leads to discomfort and high electric bills. Properly installed insulation paired with an air barrier can do a lot to save.

If you have fiberglass insulation, whether blown or rolled batts, you'll need to create an air barrier by sealing all of the cracks and gaps between the living spaced and unfinished areas with caulk and expanding foam. Cellulose does a better job of blocking air, but only foam insulation offers its own air barrier.

Check out EnergySavers.gov to learn more about insulation. You can also contact your electric cooperative and talk to one of their energy advisers about whether your home needs more insulation. By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to a more comfortable home—and lower electric bills.

Carefully inspect each electrical decoration and extension cord before use, and discard any damaged items. Cracked sockets, bare or frayed wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or fire. Avoid overloading outlets, which can overheat and also cause a fire.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends never connecting more than three strands of incandescent lights together. Do not pinch cords in windows or doors, or under heavy furniture.

When decorating outside, make sure outdoor outlets are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Check that all items and extension cords are marked for outdoor use. And exercise extreme caution when decorating near overhead power lines. Use a wooden or fiberglass ladder instead of metal. Keep yourself and all of your equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.

Take special care with Christmas trees. If purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. Heated rooms dry out live trees—even fresh ones—rapidly. Place the tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources, including fireplaces and space heaters. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water. For artificial trees, look for the label “fire resistant.”

Decorate your tree, live or artificial, with non-combustible or flame-resistant materials. Never use burning candles on or near your tree.

Whether your house is the most festive on the block or you prefer a more low-key style, make safety an important part of your holiday preparations.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International 

Caulking cracks and openings can save you $212 a year. Find cracks by waiting for a windy day and then carefully holding a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other spots where outside air may infiltrate. If the smoke stream moves horizontally, you’ve found a leak that needs to be sealed.

Experts recommend using waterproof, flexible, and long-lasting silicone caulk to seal cracks and gaps that are less than one-quarter-inch wide. Remove any old caulk and clean the surface before applying new caulk.

Fresh caulk takes several hours, or longer, to dry, so it’s best to do the job on a dry day when humidity is relatively low and the temperature is above 45 degrees F. In addition to caulk, you can use low-expansion spray foam to seal leaks.

For other tips on how to save energy—and money—visit Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives energy-saving website, www.TogetherWeSave.com.

It’s vital to keep equipment safety away from them, a minimum 10 foot safety radius around the electric line. Farm operators, family members, and farm employees are urged to take these measures:

• Use a spotter when moving tall loads near lines.
• Inspect farm equipment for transport height and determine clearance with any power lines under which the equipment must pass.
• Make sure everyone knows what to do if accidental contact is made with power lines.
• Call your electricity provider to fix sagging lines or damaged guy wires.

It’s almost always best to stay in the cab, call for help and wait until the electric utility arrives to cut off the power. If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path and electrocution is the result. Stay inside the vehicle unless there’s fire or imminent risk of fire. In that case, the proper action is to jump – not step – with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear, without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time and continue to shuffle or hop to safety keeping both feet together as you leave the area.

Visit www.SafeElectricity.org and watch the video story of farmer Jim Flach, who was fatally injured as he climbed down from his equipment that was in contact with overhead power lines.

Visit Living with Energy in Iowa, a magazine for members of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, has additional information for fall harvest safety, www.livingwithenergyiniowa.com/.

• Assemble a kit of essentials, like battery-operated flashlights and radios, and be prepared for the possibility of a prolonged outage due to power line and electric equipment damage.
• Fill spare containers with water for washing, and keep a supply of bottled drinking water on hand. Maintain a supply of non-perishable food items, along with a hand opener for canned food.
• During an outage, switch off lights and appliances to prevent overloading circuits and damaging appliances when power is restored.  Leave one lamp or switch on as a signal for when your power returns.

• When venturing outside after a severe storm, stay away from downed power lines and be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard. Assume that any dangling wires you encounter are electrical, and treat all downed or hanging power lines as if they are energized. Warn others to stay away and contact your electric cooperative.
• Before re-entering storm-damaged buildings or rooms, be sure all electric and gas services are turned off. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
• When using a generator, follow all manufacturers’ recommendations to avoid tragedy.  Keep the generator dry and never plug it into a wall outlet or directly into the home’s wiring.  This could inadvertently energize the utility lines and injure yourself or others working to restore power.

Overhead power lines are needed to deliver electricity to farmsteads and rural homes, but the electricity can be deadly if wires are touched by large equipment.  Although we get used to seeing power lines along rural roads and the edge of fields, awareness of their placement and height of the electric wires must be a priority.  With larger equipment used for spring tillage, usually folded in a transit configuration until it reaches a field, farm operators should beware of how close it may come to overhead utility wires.

Field cultivators can be more than 12 feet in the air, and that means it may enter the 10 foot danger radius around power lines which safety authorities warn everyone to avoid.  Many sprayers that will be used for crop chemical application will also have booms that could come in contact with overhead power lines.

Such was the case when the late Jim Flach was applying herbicide to farm fields in Central Illinois and his sprayer arms unfolded into an overhead power line.  He was fatally burned by the deadly voltage when he climbed off the sprayer and became the path to ground for the electricity.  The mishap, which occurred in March during the field preparation season, is a tragic reminder that overhead power lines should be observed and avoided.

Safe Electricity and the surviving members of the Jim Flach family warn everyone to avoid power lines, but if you do become involved in an accident with one, stay in the cab of the equipment or your vehicle and call for help.  Do not attempt to exit because of the potential for serious or fatal injury.

Farm operators should inspect entrances to fields to ensure there is adequate clearance for equipment without jeopardizing the safety of the equipment operator.  If there is insufficient clearance, do not attempt to correct the problem, but alert your local utility which will dispatch professional linemen to raise the wire to a safe height above the ground.

If clearance seems to be adequate, increase your level of safety with the use of a spotter who can also verify there is sufficient clearance from a better vantage point.

Source: safeelectricity.org

• Week 1:   June 2-6    Emergency Preparedness
• Week 2:   June 9-13   Distracted Driving
• Week 3:   June 16-20   Poisoning Prevention
• Week 4:   June 23-27   Falls Prevention

The marking of the utility lines helps protect customers and their neighbors from potential fire hazards or explosions from punctured natural gas lines, high voltage shocks from buried electrical lines, and service interruptions including critical services like 911.  Anyone digging without having utility lines marked in advance may be liable for any damages caused by excavation.  Again, notifying Iowa One Call can avoid unnecessary emergency situations and disruptions of utility and communications services.  One Call service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Don’t take a risk, stay safe – it’s easy and the call and service are free.

Farmers and tilers planning any kind of excavation also must provide notification to Iowa One Call at least 48 hours ahead of time.  Excavators are required to preserve markings at all times during excavation.

People often do not realize, until they need them, that cordless phones require a local source of electricity and will not work during a power outage.  Because the small amount of electrical current needed for a traditional wireline (analog) phone to work is carried through the phone line, you should be able to use this type of phone during a localized power outage.  If you use only cordless phones, it may be a good idea to keep a corded phone in the closet for just such an emergency.  Cellular phones may work during a power outage, but systems for cell phones can become overloaded.  Your wireless phone may not work because the cell sites that serve them only have a certain number of hours of battery backup.  Also, make sure you have flashlights and battery-operated radios, and an adequate supply of batteries, available for a winter emergency.  Weather radios are readily available in Iowa and can help people feel safer at home in the event of a weather emergency.  

To help stay warm during an extended power outage, consider moving to a centrally located room without a lot of windows, close off rooms you do not need to use, and dress in many layers of loose clothing, utilizing coats, gloves, and blankets if necessary.  You might check with family, friends, or neighbors who live nearby to see if they have heat, and if so, inquire about going there if you can do so safely.  Also try to safely check on family, friends, neighbors, or the elderly who may need assistance.  Listen to the news to determine if the electricity in your area is likely to be off for an extended time and if local emergency shelters will be open to the public.  Depending upon your circumstances, you may consider going to an emergency shelter if you can get there safely.   

The simplest and most effective way to protect against electrocution is by installing ground-fault circuit interrupters (FCIs). When replacing older and worn out outlets, consider installing three-wire or grounded outlets in place of the old two-pronged outlets.

As residents statewide observe Iowa Farm Safety and Health Week September 16-22, held in conjunction with National Farm Safety and Health Week, Iowa One Call reminds farmers and gardeners to follow safe digging guidelines. With everything from fall landscaping to harvesting underway, we should note that Iowa law requires anyone planning projects that may entail digging or excavating to notify Iowa One Call so that underground facilities can be properly located and marked. Notification must be made at least 48 hours in advance (excluding weekends and legal holidays) and may be done by calling toll-free (800) 292-8989 or by dialing 811. Excavators are reminded to avoid digging within 18 inches of flags and paint markings.

“Agriculture has one of the highest annual injury rates for workers in the nation, surpassing all other industries including mining, construction and manufacturing,” said LaMar Grafft, Iowa Farm Safety Council President. “It is important that Iowans use safe farming practices during harvest and throughout the year, and this includes calling Iowa One Call before digging or excavating.”

General Guidelines for Farm and Garden Projects
While most routine garden projects don’t require a call to Iowa One Call, people should notify Iowa One Call before digging a new garden or using equipment, such as a power tiller. The guidelines for farmers are more complex and include a special 15-inch rule for determining whether Iowa One Call should be notified. For example, routine harvesting and plowing procedures that typically do not penetrate the ground 15 inches don’t require a call, but other activities that do penetrate the ground 15 inches or more, such as sub-soiling, ripping or fence maintenance, do require advance notification to Iowa One Call.

New 811 Nationwide “One Call” Number
The launch of the new federally mandated 811 three-digit dialing system allows callers anywhere in the country to reach the respective One Call center within their state. One phone call to this easily-remembered 811 number quickly begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked – regardless of where you live. In conjunction with the new 811 number, Iowa One Call will continue to maintain its current toll-free number (800-292-8989).

How Iowa One Call Works
When Iowa One Call receives a call, it transmits the locate request to the appropriate underground facility owners/operators, who will mark the utilities. Iowa One Call’s service is free to callers, but individuals who fail to contact Iowa One Call prior to digging are subject to civil penalties that may range from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation. They also risk serious – potentially life-threatening – injury to themselves and others.

Iowa One Call is a non-profit organization with over 1,500 members, including city and county utilities, electric companies, gas companies, water and sewer districts, telephone companies and cable TV and Internet providers. Iowa One Call coordinates the marking of underground facilities throughout the state – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each year, Iowa One Call personnel handle more than 400,000 incoming calls and coordinate over 2 million underground facility locates within Iowa. For more information, visit www.iowaonecall.com.

When Should Farmers Contact Iowa One Call?
Rules exclusively for Iowa farmers

Call before excavations, including:
 Chisel plowing
 Subsoiling    
 Ripping
 Drain tile excavating
 Terracing
 Waterway projects
 Digging or driving a new fence post
 Any project penetrating soil 15 inches or more

Normal farm operations don’t require a call, including:
 Plowing (penetrating less than 15 inches)
 Cultivating (penetrating less than 15 inches)
 Planting
 Harvesting
 Replacing a fence post in its existing location
 Normal field activities penetrating soil less than 15 inches

Farmers who comply with state law by notifying Iowa One call at least 48 hours prior to excavating will not be held responsible for damages that occur in normal farming operations – providing the damage was not intentional or caused by recklessness or wanton disregard. For additional rules for farmers, visit the “Farm Operations” link at www.iowaonecall.com.

Anyone interested can contact the Brushy Creek Chapter at (515) 576-1911 or go to 33 N. 16th St., Fort Dodge; or contact the North Central Iowa Chapter at (641) 424-2454, or go to 525 First St. N.E., Mason City.

More information about flooding preparation and tips can be located on the Red Cross web site at: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html

When a Flash Flood WARNING is issued . . .
• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
• For the latest updates on road conditions in Iowa, call 511 or (800) 288-1047, or go to www.511ia.org.

Tips to prepare for flash flooding

AVOID FLOOD AREAS: Avoid flood-prone areas near rivers, streams, field runoff and low-lying streets where water commonly pools. Never attempt to walk or drive through a water-covered road, and beware of rising, swift-moving water. These areas are especially dangerous because:
• As little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and 2 feet of floodwater can float a car. Water moving at 2 mph is capable of sweeping a car off a road or bridge.
• The road may be washed out below the water surface.
• A vehicle may stall or get stuck in the water and then get pushed off the road. Once off the road, vehicles often start to roll, making escape difficult or impossible.
• Many flood-related deaths are the result of an attempt to move a stalled vehicle.
• If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters, turn around and find another route. If the route is blocked by barricades, find another route. Barricades are put up by state or local officials to protect travelers from unsafe roads. Driving around them can be dangerous.

BE PREPARED: Make sure you have enough fuel in your vehicle for an emergency evacuation. Learn the safest route from your home or place of business to safe, high ground should you have to evacuate in a hurry. Have a "Go Bag" packed in the event of an evacuation. Contents should include:

• Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.).
• Extra set of car and house keys.
• Credit and ATM cards and cash.
• Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as energy or granola bars.
• Flashlight and battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries.
• Medications and first-aid kit.
• Child care supplies or other special care items.

Tips from Allstate Insurance Agency on flooding

Flooding may be localized or catastrophic. It may be part of a hurricane, brutal thunderstorm, sudden thaw or other widespread disaster. Many floods arrive with advance warning so you can prepare. Weather forecasts will indicate that storms are on the way or that nearby rivers are rising because of a heavy run-off upstream. Depending on how much time you have, there are steps you can take to minimize damage.

Preparation Tips
• Use water-resistant building materials in areas below the base flood elevation.
• Leave rooms unfinished that are below base flood elevation.
• Install back-flow valves or standpipes on sewer lines to prevent back-up.
• Raise, anchor or shield all equipment that is in an area below base flood elevation.
• Install and maintain a sump pump system.
• Use native plants and vegetation in your landscape to combat erosion.
• Become familiar with the emergency flood plan for your area.
• Prepare an emergency supplies kit including: three day water supply, three day supply of non-perishable food with manual can-opener, disposable plates, cups and utensils, first aid kit including prescription medications, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, personal hygiene items and any essential items for individual family members.

Safety Tips
• Using a battery-powered radio listen for emergency instructions.
• Turn off the electricity and natural gas at the main valves.
• Relocate papers, valuables and irreplaceable items to upper floors or higher elevations.
• Sanitize bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with bleach and fill with clean water.
• Tie down or relocate all outdoor equipment indoors.
• Respond immediately when instructed to evacuate.
• If the water starts to rise inside your home before you can leave, retreat to upper floors and if necessary to the roof - take dry clothing, flashlight and battery-powered radio. DON'T try to swim to safety, wait for help to arrive.
• Don't drive or walk through floodwaters, find an alternate route if you come upon a flooded road. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else during a flood.
• When walking, remember that as little as six inches of moving water can knock you down.
• Watch for downed power lines, since electrocution is a major cause of death during a flood.
• Be aware that snakes, rodents and other wild animals may seek shelter in your house during a flood.

Recovery Tips
• Turn off the electricity and gas if it can be done safely and without walking through water.
• Watch for snakes, nails and dangerous debris. Do not walk through flowing water, and be aware that steps and floors may be slippery.
• Cover holes in the roof, walls, or windows with boards, tarp, or plastic sheeting to prevent additional damage.
• Walk around the outside of a flooded building and check for gas leaks, loose power lines and structural damage before entering. Open the door slowly, sticking indicates that the ceiling may be ready to fall. Stand clear and force the door open, wait for a few minutes to determine if it's safe to enter.
• To release water from the ceiling, use a nail on the end of a stick to poke a small hole at the edge of the sag to release the water. Don't poke at the center of the sag since the ceiling could collapse. Repeat this process working toward the center of the sag until all of the water drains.
• Test for water trapped in walls by removing the baseboard and poking small holes in the wallboard about two inches above the floor. If water drains, cut or drill holes large enough for it to flow freely.
• With the power turned off, unplug appliances and lamps. Remove light bulbs, wet switches and outlet plates.
• Drain the basement slowly, using a pump or by hand bailing. If there is still floodwater outside the building, the pressure from the water inside may be preventing the walls from collapsing. Remove two to three feet of water at a time and mark the new water level. If the water does not rise above the mark by the next day, it should be safe to repeat this process until all the water is drained.
• Take photos for your records.
• Remove as much debris and mud as possible.
• Open (do not force) windows, doors, cabinets and drawers to help with the drying process.
• Do not use gas lanterns or open flames, and do not smoke, since there may be explosive gas in the air.
• Wash and disinfect the entire flooded area including air ducts, outlets, wall switches, light sockets, furniture and other contents.
• Make an inventory list of all damaged contents. Keep in mind that not all contents are destroyed by water but may be able to be cleaned and disinfected.
• Remove floor coverings from flooded areas. Keep samples of any carpet/upholstery for your claim adjuster.
• Do not drink the water until it is declared safe. Boil water for drinking and food preparation vigorously for five minutes.

• Make sure your generator is properly grounded.
• Keep the generator dry.
• Make sure extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, and are free of cuts, worn insulation, and have three-pronged plugs.
• Do not overload the generator.
• Do not operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
• Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries. Portable GFCIs require no tools to install and are available at prices ranging from $12 to $30.

• Identify pipes that are potentially exposed to freezing temperatures. Remember that heated areas that are drafty can have pipes freeze up due to the draft. (This is the common cause of pipe freeze ups in basements)
• Drain water supply lines for systems that can be shut down.
• Insulate supply lines that must remain operational.
• For systems that can't be insulated, allow a small flow to continuously run through the system (the flowing water should prevent freeze-up. Be careful of where the water discharges so as not to create another problem).
• Close inside shut-off valves to exterior hose bibs. Open the outside valve to drain water. Leave outside valves open to allow condensation to drain and reduce the risk of water buildup inside the valve housing.
• Cover hose bibs that can't be shut-off inside the building. Insulating covers are available at most hardware stores. An alternative is to wrap the hose bib with a towel and cover the towel with plastic.
• Detach hoses from outdoor hose bibs. Water in the hose will freeze first, and can cause a freeze up in the hose bib and possible failure. Do this even if the hose bib is a freeze-type.
• Drains and traps that are in concealed spaces or along exterior walls may be subjected to freezing. These pipes can be protected by pouring a few ounces of alcohol into the drain to lower the freezing point. Never use automotive type antifreeze.
• Open doors to closets, cabinets, etc that contain water supply or waste lines to prevent freezing.
• Keep all doors (including garage doors) closed. Keeping these doors closed even if there are no pipes in the areas protected by these doors can help protect other areas of the building by creating a buffer.

• If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water supply valve until you can isolate the leak.
• If you operate a fixture (sink, toilet, etc) and no water flows, suspect a frozen pipe. Check the supply line to ensure that no supply valves are shut.
• If a pipe has frozen, leave a fixture (sink, hose bib, etc) on as you thaw the pipe. As the ice begins to melt, water will flow. The flowing water will help thaw the ice plug faster.
• Apply heat to the frozen section of pipe. Use an electric heat gun, hair dryer, heating pad, or space heater (no open flames and keep combustible materials away from the heater).
• All electrical devices should be kept out of contact with water (puddles or water spraying from leaks) - use GFCI outlets or pigtails to provide additional protection. An alternative is to wrap the pipes with towels that have been soaked in hot water. Do not use open flame equipment (torches, fuel fired heaters - kerosene, propane, etc) to thaw pipes.
• As the pipe begins to thaw, check for leaks. It is not uncommon for the ice plug to seal the leak.
• Check other supply lines and fixtures to determine the extent of piping freeze-ups.
• If you can not locate the problem, contact a licensed plumber.

• Stay inside and dress in warm, layered clothing
• Close off unneeded rooms
• When using an alternative heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards and be sure to properly ventilate
• Stuff towels and rags underneath doors to keep the heat in
• Cover windows at night
• Eat. Food provides the body with energy to for creating its own heat.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Move around to keep warm, but not enough to perspire.
• "Never use a charcoal grill to cook or heat with inside the home," Hall emphasizes. "Charcoal grills give off deadly carbon monoxide gas. Grills should be used only outdoors."

• Upgrade insulation
• Replace old or inefficient furnaces
• Replace old or inefficient water heaters