Serving Up Savings

The holidays also bring a frenzy of decorating, cooking and family gatherings, and amid the hectic hustle and bustle, you may receive higher-than-usual energy bills.

Keeping this in mind, I thought this month would be a good time to remind Oakdale Electric Cooperative (OEC) members of a few programs and efficiency tips to help lower your monthly energy use.

Programs designed to help you save.

Winter months typically bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Making minor, low-cost improvements, like weather stripping exterior doors and caulking around old, drafty windows can make a positive impact on energy bills. If you’re not sure where to start, contact Oakdale Electric at 608-372-4131, to speak with one of our energy services technicians for extra guidance.

We also offer energy-saving incentives, which can help you achieve greater savings when purchasing ENERGY STAR® certified lighting or appliances. Our team of member service representatives is available to help, so I encourage you to give us a call if you’d like to learn about specific programs and services that can lower your bills.

Be festive without breaking the bank.

LED holiday lights use 88% less energy than incandescent holiday lights. To put that into perspective, the Department of Energy estimates that with standard holiday decorations, LED lights typically increase energy bills by about $5 to $7. But with incandescent lights, energy bills will typically increase by $33 or more. For homes that go above and beyond with incandescent holiday lighting (think Clark Griswold), energy bills could increase by as much as $350. Beyond energy savings, LEDs provide additional benefits, such as being shock-resistant, shatterproof and cool to the touch, making them safer for the home.

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How Your Small Change Has Changed Lives

The Operation Round Up Board met for the last meeting in 2023, and approved to donate $1,250.00 to 14 food pantries for a combined total of $17,500.00. This would not be possible without the participation of co-op members, thank you.

“On behalf of the Operation Round Up Directors—Pat Christensen, Allen Bernhardt, Sue Rezin, Sandy Chroninger, Robin Hiles, Tammy Burdick and me, Colleen Woggon—we sincerely thank the Oakdale Electric members for your support of this crucial program. By rounding up your bill to the nearest dollar, a little can go a long way in our ability to help more organizations and more members across five counties.”

– Operation Round Up Board Chairperson Colleen Woggon

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