Outside the House

Whether you’re climbing a ladder, working the fields or firing up a space heater, take a few minutes to review these important fall safety tips.

When Winter Storm Nyla’s ice, snow and gusty winds toppled 11 miles of transmission lines and rendered 20 substations inoperable on March 19, the staff at Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) knew they were facing one of their most significant challenges in recent history.

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.