Guest Blogger

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association (WH) is pleased to welcome Susan (Sue) Sorensen as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is becoming easier as technology and affordability improve, and performance and infrastructure are enhanced.

During Minnesota’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 17-21, Great River Energy and Wright-Hennepin want to remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and remind you that we are prepared to keep the power flowing to homes, farms and businesses.

Want to learn more about the different electric vehicles, how much they cost and ways to save money? The answers to these and more can be found below.

Notice: Some WH members have received scam emails requesting immediate payment.

Your clothes washer and dryer account for a significant portion of energy consumption from major appliances, and let’s face it––laundry is no one’s favorite chore.

The heat wave we are experiencing has prompted the operator of the electric transmission system in our region to issue a maximum generation emergency event. Wright-Hennepin is asking its members to conserve electricity.

The Board of Directors is proposing revisions to WH's Bylaws.

As parts of the United States struggled to maintain electric service during a historic cold snap, Minnesota’s cooperatives went to great lengths to ensure their members had the energy they needed.

When you're feeling chilly at home, there are several budget-friendly ways you can keep comfortable without turning up the thermostat.

This holiday season, Santa’s making the most of energy savings in his workshop, and you can too!

As we enter fall, we look forward to the leaves turning and the beautiful landscape as we travel the roads. 

NOTICE: WH has become aware of scammers calling and asking members to make an immediate payment or face disconnection of their electric and gas service. Please be aware – this is NOT Wright-Hennepin.

WH wants to remind the community to look up and look out for power lines, especially as farmers enter the planting season.

A message from the CEO.

A message from the CEO.

In March, a special capital credit refund of $1.6 million will be returned to Wright-Hennepin (WH) members as the result of surplus margins from 2018 electric operations.

Days are getting shorter as winter sets in, but electricity is help keeping us warm!

Powering a home using the sun’s energy is not a new concept, especially with recent technological advances and lower costs, solar has become an attractive option to many homeowners.

How can you know your information is safe on the internet from identity theft?

Electric cooperatives have been a part of the fabric of Minnesota for more than 80 years. Fourth and fifth-generation members today enjoy the same benefits of membership as the pioneers who strung the first wires into Minnesota’s countryside.

If your holiday chores include unraveling the same old tangle of decorative lights, maybe you should consider and upgrade to more reliable, efficient and longer-lasting LEDs.  LEDs, or light-emitting…

Find out where Wright-Hennepin will be performing pole maintenance in 2016. 

Summer temperatures are just around the corner, but that doesn't mean your electric bill needs to rise with them. Check out these tips for how to beat the summer heat without large electric bills. 

Don't just make your yard eye-pleasing, make it energy efficient. 

 Find out when and why dual fuel and other off-peak programs are controlled. 

Avoid added costs from heating your engine all night by installing a timer. 

As temperatures cool trees become dormant, offering perfect timing for tree trimming because of a reduced risk of spreading diseases.

 Learn how you can protect your trees from emerald ash borers in this blog. 

Start off the new year by saving some money on your energy bill with these tips.

Light emitting diode bulbs (LEDs or LED bulbs) are fast replacing incandescent bulbs. There are many reasons for this...

Learn how you can reduce your energy use during the holidays.

The heavy cold in Minnesota is still a few months away, but you shouldn’t delay when it comes to making winter preparations for your home. Part of that is to schedule a pre-season furnace tune-up. Your…

Learn how you can save this winter with WH's Dual Fuel program!

Learn about energy efficient smartphone apps!

Winter will be here before we know it, and now is the time to think about lowering your heating bills.

Wright-Hennepin (WH) is introducing a very unique way to own solar by pairing two popular options: community solar and $0-down pricing!

Did you know that a variety of Energy Star products qualify for tax credits? Read to find out more.

Learn how air source heat pumps are beneficial.

Learn how you can keep your home cool this summer while also saving on energy costs.

Learn how using advanced power strips can save you energy and money!

Learn how taking care of your AC unit can help extend its life and help it run more efficiently.

Learn why WH cycles air conditioners during the summer months.

Have you noticed that the local weathermen have nothing nice to say lately? This has been a very cold winter and it sounds like it could be a bit before it gets better. With that in mind, the following…

Have you ever heard of the term, "phantom load"? Read to learn about phantom loads and how you can stop them in your home.

The holiday season is generally a time for higher energy use, but there are plenty of ways to save. Here are holiday energy-saving tips to help you and your family cut back on your energy use: ·      …

A few tips for buying a new television

Did you know that the kitchen typically uses the most energy compared to other rooms in a home? Learn how to save while using your kitchen.

Learn how you can save energy for the holidays.

Are you looking to save on your heating costs this winter? We can help!

Learn how adding a plenum heater to your forced air system will save you money

While appliances use a large amount of energy, there are numerous ways to use them more efficiently.

Save money by completing a Home Energy Assessment.

Learn how landscaping your property can help you save energy all year long.

Discover how you can reduce your use of heating and cooling energy with a programmable thermostat.

WH's Off-Peak Air Conditioning is helping the environment and saving energy.

You and your family can work together to save energy. Begin with these simple ideas today.

Learn why electric cars are growing in popularity and what makes them unique.

Learn how you and your family can work together to save energy this summer!

Electric cars are growing in popularity. Learn more about the history of electric cars, how they run, gas mileage and more.

Learn why electric cars are unique and why they are growing in popularity.

Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in creating a home. Learn how you can experience the benefits of outdoor lighting while saving energy.

Did you know that your air conditioner system needs to be cleaned in order to run properly? Find out the cleaning method steps here.

Have you ever wondered how standard air conditioning compares to air source heat pumps? Find out more information here.

As warmer weather approaches, it is important to begin thinking about your air conditioner. Find information about air conditioner shopping, rebates and ratings here.

Find the energy saving booth at WH's Annual Meeting!

Learn about new updates on the WH Solar Community project.

Read an overview of the various types of lighting types and learn which type is most energy efficient.

How WH's Off-Peak program works

Learn how Energy Star products compare to conventional appliances.

Have you ever wondered how much energy is used to operate your home appliances? You may also be curious about hidden energy leaks or drafts in your home. Let's discover how you can monitor your energy consumption and save money.

Water conservation is very important. It saves energy as well as water. There are many simple was to conserve water….

Are you interested in comparing electric heating costs to propane heating costs? Let’s walk through how to do this.....

The holiday season is approaching fast, and many of you are probably planning on using stringed lights to make your home look more festive. However, it's important to consider how much these electricity-drawing additions cost.....

You’ve probably heard of them before, and you may even know a few things about them; but what exactly is a plenum heater, and how can it help you save energy?

It was another strong season for The Littlest User contest. This year, we had 31 teams participate. Together, they saved a whopping 14,293 kWh. Check out the link on our home page to see how all the teams did.

With summer winding down and winter quickly approaching, I’m sure air conditioning is the last thing on your mind. But with Wright-Hennepin’s rebates, now may be the time to look into upgrading your old unit.

If you qualify for income eligible status and would like to make your home more energy efficient, there are local community action programs that can help you maximize your home’s energy efficiency.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can help you save anywhere from 5 to 20 percent on your heating and cooling expenses. However, 40-70 percent of the people who own these devices find them to be difficult to operate.

You may have heard of air source heat pumps and how efficiently they operate to heat and cool your home, but did you know heat pumps can also help you save on your water heating costs?

Have you ever sat in the sunshine that streams in through your home’s windows? Although that warmth feels pretty great on a cold winter day, in the summer, it can actually be adding a few degrees to your home’s temperature.

Have you ever received your electric bill and wondered why your use was different from the month before?

It’s easier to save energy (and therefore, money) during the summer than you might think. Some solutions may seem obvious, but can still make a considerable dent in your electric bill. Here are a few simple activities that can help you conserve energy this summer.

Solar and wind energy has become more popular in recent years as many people are looking for cleaner, renewable sources of energy. However, most people don’t realize that we’ve been using solar and wind energy for years – even before electricity was being generated.

Summer has finally arrived! Even though we did have a decent winter, for me, it seemed like summer couldn’t come fast enough. Maybe it’s the trees, or the birds singing, or the fact that it’s only nice outside in Minnesota for about six weeks a year, but everyone seems to be jumping at the chance to get outside.

A fridge and freezer account for one sixth of an average home’s electric usage. This is usually more than any other appliance in the household.

Air conditioners lose some of their efficiency from normal wear and tear over the operating life of the unit. Coils and filters become dirty, belts slip and refrigerant may also begin to leak over time. This causes your home to lose comfort, and your monthly energy costs to soar – by as much as 20 percent!

Imagine using a single, very efficient unit to both heat and cool your home. Heat pumps not only make this possible, but can potentially greatly reduce your heating and cooling costs.

As some of you may know, Wright-Hennepin will be conducting its 75th Annual Meeting on March 29. For those of you who haven’t attended this event, you’re missing out on some valuable energy-saving information as well as fun events and prizes.

Can you save water and still get a great shower? YES! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, showering is one of the top uses of residential water in the United States, representing approximately 17 percent of indoor water use. Stop and think about how much you’re paying for your water usage – especially for showering. You pay to bring the water into your home, to take it away from your home and you pay to heat it as well. Basically, you are paying three times to use water for showering – that can really add up!

Did you know the standard incandescent light bulb only uses 10-20 percent of the energy it consumes for light? The rest of the energy it uses is given off as heat. 

Portable heaters can come in handy for a variety of situations and can save you money on your overall heating costs. There are situations where you may only need to heat a small area, and using a small space heater can be less expensive than turning up the thermostat on your whole-house heating system. Space heaters can also be used to raise the temperature of rooms used by individuals who are sensitive to cold, without the added expense of over-heating the rest of your home.

Conserving energy in your home is about better insulating the envelope inside as well as outside. A very easy and inexpensive project to help you accomplish this is to install wall and switch plate seals.

Have you ever gotten up at night to get a glass of water and noticed a lot of little red lights shining around your living room? Devices that produce these lights are constantly drawing energy – whether they’re on or off.

Even though you may have gotten a great Black Friday deal on an HDTV, that new television may end up costing you more money than your old tube TV in the long run.

There’s been a lot of buzz about energy conservation in recent years, and as you probably know, conserving energy is not always easy to do. However, I’ve discovered a way to save energy while cooking and baking, which may be very helpful during the upcoming holiday season.

The holiday season is approaching fast, and many of you are probably planning on using stringed lights to make your home look more festive. However, it’s important to consider how much these electricity-drawing additions cost.

Air leakage – or infiltration – occurs when outside air enters a house through uncontrolled spaces like cracks and small openings. Properly sealing cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs, improve building durability and create a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.

Fall is a great time of year to check your mechanical ventilation system. Keeping these systems well maintained is a simple, cost effective way to save you money on your winter energy bills.

What would you do with an extra $1,200? That is what one family calculated their electric bill savings to be over a four-month period of actively conserving energy. This family also won Wright-Hennepin’s 2011 “Littlest User” energy-saving contest.

At Wright-Hennepin, we do regular member surveys to help us provide our members with relevant information. Based on the results of these surveys, you have told us time and time again that you’d like to hear more energy-saving tips that will help reduce energy use in your homes and reduce your electric bills. This blog is meant to help meet that objective.