Power Play: Simple Safety Lessons For A Safer Summer
By: Brad Castor, President/CEO
Children don’t always know the dangers of electricity and electrical equipment. With May recognized as Electrical Safety Month, it’s an ideal time to reinforce simple lessons that can help kids stay safe all summer long.
Charge Into Spring Yardwork: Electric Equipment Cuts Noise, Hassle And Maintenance
By: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Electric lawn equipment has improved dramatically in recent years, with better pricing, more efficient motors and longer-lasting batteries. From hedge and string trimmers to leaf blowers, and push or riding mowers, electric options are now widely available.
Directors Receive Certifications
Rich Mountain Electric Board of Directors members Tommy Miller and Mark Robbins recently received their Director Gold certifications from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Heat Pump It Up: Clothes Dryers Are Latest Appliances to Receive Efficiency Upgrade
By: Mitch Ross
Remember the iconic Oprah moment? “You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!” That’s exactly how I feel about “heat-pumpfying” major appliances in the home. The biggest electricity expenses in most houses come from producing heat — whether it’s warming the whole home, heating water or drying clothes with electric resistance elements. These applications often account for the largest chunks of your electric bill.
Ready When it Matters Most: April 13 is Lineworker Appreciation Day
By: Brad Castor, President/CEO
At Rich Mountain Electric, we have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men and women who make that possible every single day — our lineworkers.
Second-Life Upcycling: Celebrate Earth Day With Creative Reuse Projects
Giving old items new life is a creative and rewarding way to reduce waste. An outdated lamp can become a stylish accent. A forgotten household item can be transformed into something functional and fun. Beyond creativity, reusing materials helps keep usable items out of landfills and supports a more sustainable lifestyle.
However, when electricity is involved, safety should always come first.
Energy Enigmas Uncovering: Unexpected Causes of High Electric Bills
By: Mitch Ross
While performing energy audits, we end up seeing the same issues come up repeatedly. Many are so familiar, that just by looking at the hourly energy use or speaking with the homeowner on the phone, it’s an easy diagnosis. The list of common culprits includes lack of insulation, major duct leakage, electric heat with no heat pump and a few other things. I enjoy audits that go beyond the common issues and require a deeper look.
Managing Vegetation Growth: Clearing the Way for Reliable Service
By: Brad Castor, President/CEO
At Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, our top priority is making sure your power is there when you need it. With spring storms approaching, we’re working behind the scenes to keep our system strong and reliable.
Goldilocks and the HVAC: Finding the ‘Just Right’ Size for Home Comfort
By: Mitch Ross
In the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” Goldilocks intrudes on the three bears’ home and samples porridge, looking for one that's not too hot, not too cold but just right. This simple story offers a perfect analogy for one of the most critical decisions in home heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: proper sizing.
For homeowners, choosing an HVAC unit that’s the ideal fit can mean the difference between energy efficiency, comfort and unnecessary costs. An improperly sized system wastes electricity, causes maintenance issues and can lead to comfort issues in a home.
Surviving the Storm Electrical: Safety Before, During and After a Tornado
Tornadoes can strike with little warning, leaving behind downed power lines, damaged electrical equipment and dangerous debris. Preparing before a tornado, and knowing how to stay safe afterward, can help prevent electrical shock, fire and injury. Make sure your emergency plan includes electrical safety steps so you and your family are ready to act quickly and safely.