EV Charging 101: Consult Your Co-op Before iInstalling Your Home Charger

While more than 10 million EVs are on the road worldwide, the network of public electric vehicle charging stations remains thin in the United States. That’s why charging at home remains the preferred method for EV owners. But is charging your EV at home as simple as plugging your car into an outlet in your garage? The answer is: It depends, mostly upon the electrical situation in your garage and home.

Before installing your at-home charging station, contact Nodak and speak with an energy services specialist to determine whether your garage is equipped to do what you need it to do. Early EVs were able to charge from a standard, 120-volt outlet — just like any other appliance you plug into a wall socket. That’s not the case anymore.

The good thing is that most newer EVs are equipped with a larger battery that can last for up to 300 miles on a single charge. However, those batteries require more energy to “fill” the tank. Newer EVs are similar to adding a large appliance such as an electric water heater to your home; most EV chargers that can effectively recharge newer EV batteries require at least a 240-volt, 40-amp circuit to operate (similar to most electric water heaters).

Depending on your home’s setup, installing an EV charger may take multiple steps. The easiest installation is when there is already a spare 240-volt circuit where the car will be charging. More likely though, a new 240-volt dedicated circuit will need to be installed from the circuit breaker box to where the car will be charging. In some cases, be prepared for more extensive upgrades to your home’s electric service. That’s why it is important to touch base with Nodak before you begin.

While this may seem complicated, it’s not complicated for your electrician. An electrician can analyze your home’s energy use and tell you if you need to upgrade the service at your home. Your electrician also can work with Nodak to ensure that any needed updates to your home make it EV charger ready.

Once the garage has a 240-volt circuit, there are a whole host of options to get the electricity into the EV’s battery. EV manufacturers such as Tesla sell affordable adapters that work with a 240- volt circuit to charge the car’s batteries.

You can review the charger options that would work for an EV that catches your interest. Fortunately, EV chargers can efficiently charge most vehicles overnight – even after long trips – ensuring that you are ready for your commute every morning. And even more fortunately, electricity costs for an EV can lead to some long-term fuel savings compared to gasoline. Don’t forget to also take advantage of Nodak’s rebate for installing an EV charger, in addition to their low off-peak rate for EVs.

Don’t let any of this discourage you from exploring the purchase of a new EV. It just requires a little homework, and with the help of Nodak, we can assist in the steps needed to prepare your home for an electric vehicle.

Article courtesy of powermoves.com

Continue Reading »

Concern For Community: A Defining Principle For Co-ops

Celebrated nationwide during the month of October, National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to look at the many aspects that make cooperatives unique.

Cooperatives are motivated by people and their needs, not by profit. The seven cooperative principles guide electric cooperatives to operate differently from other utilities, putting the needs of their members first. We base the way we conduct business on these seven cooperative principles:

  • Voluntary and open membership
  • Democratic member control
  • Member economic participation
  • Autonomy and independence
  • Education, training and information
  • Cooperation among cooperatives
  • Concern for community

I’d like to focus on the last principle and how Nodak Electric supports the communities it serves. As a cooperative, we are committed to improving the quality of life for our members. We accomplish this by providing reliable and affordable energy, but we also invest in our community in other ways. Here are a few of the things we do at Nodak Electric to actively apply this principle. 

Operation Round Up®: Since 2002, members have raised and donated over $1.1 million to individuals or organizations throughout the Nodak Electric service area.

Economic development loans: Nodak Electric works in conjunction with USDA to provide loans to new and growing businesses in our area.

Community investment: Nodak Electric has made donations to numerous community organizations and programs that contribute to the growth of our community.

Youth Tour: Nodak administers an essay contest that allows one winner to visit Washington, D.C., with other students across the country annually.

Community groups: Nodak Electric employees and directors actively participate on committees and boards throughout the territory to promote economic development.

Area celebrations: Nodak Electric partakes in local community celebrations and parades every year.

Here at Nodak Electric Cooperative, we remain focused on our communities and continue to invest in their success. Please know we work hard every day to support the people we serve!

Continue Reading »

Our Seven Cooperative Principles

October is National Cooperative Month and Nodak Electric Cooperative is proud to be the local electric cooperative for your region! As a cooperative, we operate a little differently than other electric utilities. Since we are member-owned and operated, we are rooted in seven key cooperative principles that guide us in always putting our members’ needs first.

  1. Education, Training and Information
    Education empowers growth for the members, representatives and staff of Nodak Electric. Spreading cooperative awareness enhances understanding of the cooperative and the cooperative way to the community and beyond.
  2. Members’ Economic Participation
    Members invest fairly and control the cooperative’s capital. Part of the capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Any surpluses are allocated by the members to serve goals like growth, reserve funds and approved ventures – and some even comes back to members in the form of capital credits!
  3. Autonomy and Independence
    Cooperatives are autonomous organizations controlled by their members! If the cooperative enters into an agreement with an organization or raises capital from an external source, it does so on terms that ensure democratic control for the membership.
  4. Cooperation Among Cooperatives
    By cooperatives working together through local, national, regional and international structures, we can improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.
  5. Democratic Member Control
    Members actively shape policies and choices for our cooperative. Directors are elected from within our membership and held accountable by our members. All members also have equal voting rights.
  6. Open and Voluntary Membership
    Membership is open to anyone who would reasonably use our services and embraces membership responsibilities, regardless of their background.
  7. Concern for Community
    As a cooperative, we are devoted to the sustainable development of our communities shaped by our member-supported policies.

Thank you to our members for your trust and stewardship throughout Nodak Electric Cooperative’s years of providing affordable, reliable and safe energy to the region.

Continue Reading »

Around The Co-op

Mel Nagel

After 42 years of working long days and nights in some of North Dakota’s most unforgiving weather, Mel Nagel, crew foreman with the Hillsboro crew, is retiring.

Mel began his employment with Nodak Electric in May of 1981. A graduate of Bismarck Junior College’s (now called Bismarck State College) electrical lineman course, he began his career as a lineman at Nodak’s Hillsboro outpost location. He was promoted to Hillsboro crew foreman in 2001, a position he held until his retirement.

Mel is well-liked and respected by fellow employees and members throughout the area because of his willingness to help and his dedication to get the job done. Mel plans to enjoy every day of retirement by traveling and spending more time with family.

Nodak Electric thanks Mel for his 42 years of dedication and service and wishes him all the best in his retirement!

2 New Faces In Member Services

Bethany Rambeck

Bethany Rambeck, a native of East Grand Forks, Minn., and graduate of Northland Community and Technical College, comes to Nodak with previous work experience in customer service working at Opticare-Forks Vision Clinic. With family in town, she loves spending free time with her three nephews and two nieces. She’s also an avid traveler with ambitions to visit every state in the U.S. and every continent.

Rachael Boman

Rachael Boman, also a native of East Grand Forks, Minn., and a graduate of the University of North Dakota, comes to Nodak with previous work experience in the healthcare industry as a Health Unit Coordinator at Valley Senior Living. In her spare time she loves spending time outdoors with her husband Luke and children, Carson (3) and Bristol (1), and puppy Willow. They enjoy going to the lake, taking in the parks and strolling the Greenway.

Continue Reading »

Hunting Safety Tips

Keep yourself and others safe while hunting this fall by staying clear of power lines and other electrical equipment. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while hunting:

  • Stay clear of all utility equipment.
  • Never shoot at or near power lines.
  • Be vigilant and know where power lines are before you begin hunting.
  • Never place a decoy on or near electrical equipment.
  • Never place a deer stand on a utility pole.
Continue Reading »

Struggling To Pay Your Bills

Energy assistance may be available.

  • Contact agency and request application
  • Fill out application and provide all requested documents
  • Upon acceptance, notify Nodak Electric

If you are considered low income or suffering from a temporary financial shortfall, the following agencies may be able to assist you with your electric bill. We urge you to contact them immediately to avoid disconnection if you feel you are eligible for aid.

Community Options of Bismarck
communityoptionsnd.com
1-800-823-2417

Dakota Prairie Community Action
701-662-6500

Social Services – Fuel Assistance
701-787-8535

Griggs County Social Services
701-797-2127

Nelson County Social Services
701-247-2945

Pembina County Social Services
701-265-8441

Ramsey County Social Services
701-662-7050

Red River Community Action Agency
701-746-5431

Salvation Army – Grand Forks
701-775-2597

Southeastern Community Action Agency – Fargo
701-232-2452

Spirit Lake Nation – Fuel Assistance
701-766-1206

Spirit Lake Social Services
701-766-4404

St. Joseph Social Cares & Thrift Store – Grand Forks
701-795-8614

Steele County Social Services
701-524-2584

Traill County Social Services
701-636-5220

Walsh County Social Services
701-352-5111

Continue Reading »

Does Your Attic Measure Up

This fall, take the first step to savings by measuring your attic’s insulation so you can “Rule Your Attic!” According to the U.S. Department of Energy, attics in North Dakota’s climate should have 16” – 18” of fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Sealing air leaks around your home and adding insulation can help you be more comfortable and can save up to 11% on your home’s energy bills. Does your attic’s insulation measure up? This heating season, find out and start saving!

Continue Reading »

Electric Off-peak Heat Rates Begin Oct. 1

Members with subtractive or separately metered off-peak electric heating systems will be charged the applicable off-peak rate for energy usage beginning Oct. 1. The off-peak rates will continue to be charged for energy usage through May 31, 2024. Current offpeak rates are $0.062/kWh for long-term and $0.077/ kWh for short-term controlled systems. It is a good idea to inspect, clean and test your heating system before cold weather arrives.

Please makes sure your off-peak breaker is on prior to Oct. 1 

Oct. 1 is the beginning of the heating season and the day members participating in the special electric heat programs will start getting a lower rate on their electric heat.

If you have a heat meter, but turn the breaker off during the summer, now is the time to turn the breaker(s) back on, so you can make sure to get credit for the electric heat you use.

This is important! If the breaker(s) is turned off, your heat will still work. However, your heat meter will not record the electric heat you have used. There is no way to calculate what you may have used for heating and you will pay the full price.

Daily Cycling Of Electric Storage Heat To Begin In Late October

Members heating with electric thermal storage, such as thermal storage room units, thermal storage furnaces or slab/in-floor heating, should turn on their heating system prior to Oct. 15 to allow a heat reservoir to build up before daily cycling of loads begins. The actual date cycling begins varies each season. Thermal storage heating is controlled each day from 7 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Continue Reading »

Great Rebates

Add comfort and energy efficiency to your home with help from Nodak Electric Cooperative! Rebates are available to help you upgrade your heating and cooling system, water heater and chargers for electric vehicles. Nodak Electric offers these rebates to encourage load development, load retention and wise use of energy.

Electric Heating

Heating Systems Rebate
Plenum heaters, baseboard, electric furnace and hanging unit heater $25/kW
Cable floor heat, electric boiler and brick storage unit $45/kW
Mini-split or air-source heat pump $150/ton
Ground-source heat pump $250/ton

Water Heaters

Electric Water Heaters Rebate
55 gallon or less $125/unit
56-99 gallon $200/unit
100 gallon or greater $300/unit
Additional rebate for new building construction $100
Additional rebate for conversion from existing natural gas or propane to an electric water heater $250

Electric Vehicle Chargers

Electric Vehicle Chargers Rebate
Electric vehicle (EV) $50/kW
Commercial – forklifts, Zambonis, etc. $50/kW

All systems must be new equipment and controlled on Nodak’s off-peak program. A check will be issued to participating members after a visit from a Nodak technician. Please call our Energy Services team at 701-746-4461 or 800-732-4373 if you have any questions about off-peak or the rebate program.

Continue Reading »

Back To School Safety: Texting And Driving

Some temptations are hard to resist. While driving, we typically hear that “ding” on our phone and we feel the urgent need to check it. We know we shouldn’t, but we reason that we’re going to make an exception – just this once. Why do we indulge in behavior we know to be wrong, dangerous and illegal?

According to American Automobile Association (AAA) research, most people feel they are better-than-average drivers. After all, we have busy lives and are accustomed to multitasking, but research and thousands of deaths every year prove that we may not be as skilled as we think.

As a new school year begins, children are using the crosswalks while young drivers and school busses are on the road. The reality is that using a phone while driving creates potential for injuries and fatalities. 

At Nodak Electric, safety is foremost in everything we do – for our employees and the members of the communities we serve. We routinely remind our crews of the dangers of distracted driving, and we hope you’ll have similar conversations with your teens, who may be new to the roadways and are especially susceptible to the lure of technology. 

Let’s work together to keep everyone safe on the roads. Remember: that text can wait and waiting just might save a life.

Continue Reading »

Pole Top Rescue Training: Nodak Electric Puts Safety First With Annual Training

Nodak Electric pole top rescue training was held in June. Training was facilitated through the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA).

Each year Nodak’s lineworkers, along with the GFAFB airmen, review what to do in the case of an emergency that involves a fellow crew member. At this time, lineworkers re-certify their climbing skills and practice different emergency scenarios. If a lineworker was to have an emergency while climbing a pole, the training would ensure another lineworker would be able to rescue them, lower individuals safely to the ground, and begin first aid. Using different rigging combinations lets the lineworkers practice for a variety of situations. Nodak always puts safety first, and by performing safety training, the cooperative is assuring that its employees are properly trained to handle any situation. 

Continue Reading »

Keep It Cool!

An air conditioner’s filters, coils and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air-conditioning performance, while energy use steadily increases.

Filters

The most important maintenance task to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters reduce the amount of airflow and significantly reduce a system’s efficiency. In addition, when airflow is obstructed, air can bypass the filter and deposit dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

For central air conditioners, filters are generally located somewhere along the return duct’s length. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings or in the air conditioner itself. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room.

Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air-conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

Coils

The air conditioner’s evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary.

Outdoor condenser coils can also become dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. You can easily see the condenser coil and notice if dirt is collecting on its fins.

You should minimize dirt and debris near the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, falling leaves and lawn mower are all potential sources of dirt and debris. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.

Fins

The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air-conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a “fin comb” that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.

Hiring a professional

When your air conditioner needs more than regular maintenance, such as when it does not reduce the indoor temperature to a comfortable level, hire a professional service technician. A well-trained technician will find and fix problems in your air-conditioning system. The technician should:

  • Check for correct amount of refrigerant
  • Test for refrigerant leaks using a leak detector
  • Capture any refrigerant that must be evacuated from the system, instead of illegally releasing it to the atmosphere
  • Check for and seal duct leakage in central systems
  • Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
  • Verify the correct electric control sequence and make sure the heating system and cooling system cannot operate simultaneously
  • Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections and apply a non-conductive coating if necessary
  • Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear
  • Check the accuracy of the thermostat
Continue Reading »
Mobile Menu Toggle
Call Nodak Electric