Outside the House

Farmhouse architecture arrived in the U.S. in the 1700s. Since then, farmhouses have undergone various iterations, from being purely functional as they were in Europe to slowly morphing into various styles of interior and exterior design adopted by everyday families.

Spring is in the air, and before you know it, summer will be here. Here are some ways to get a jump-start on preventing high bills and energy waste this summer. 

Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of a typical household’s energy use. When selecting the right trees and other foliage, research what is best for Iowa

Learn what happens during a power outage and how lineworkers work safely and efficiently to restore services. Also find out how your electric co-op invests in the right technologies and equipment designed to protect the power grid and prevent outages from plunging your home into darkness. 

The past year was difficult for monarch butterflies. Iowans can help support the monarch butterfly by planting milkweed and other flowering plants in their gardens, yards and even road ditches.

Earth Day is April 22, a time when we celebrate this beautiful planet we are lucky to call home. During this day of appreciation, it’s a great time to take action at home by making changes to conserve energy.

The past year was a difficult one for the eastern monarch butterfly. Adding habitat will help conservation efforts. The state’s monarch conservation plan can potentially increase the size of the breeding monarch population in Iowa and the Midwest by 10-25% per generation. 

May is Electrical Safety Month! Take a few moments to review these safety precautions with your family this month.

This year, you can have your tomato and eat it, too. With the help of a few new varieties and field-proven tactics, you’ll be on your way to growing the best tomato crop yet. Focus your attention on these three stages of gardening: planning, preparing and protecting.

You can change your energy use by changing your behavior. When managing your energy costs, shifting your focus to how you use energy can be helpful. Try these other actionable behavior changes to help you save on your next bill.