Resources | Straight Talk Articles

Straight Talk articles

Is your home as energy efficient as it could be? Are there ways you could be using less energy and saving more money? Collaborative Efficiency writes columns for consumers on different energy efficiency topics, found in state electric cooperative publications.

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Do you have a question? Email us using the contact form at the bottom of this page.

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Straight Talk Articles 2021

• January: Keeping the Home Fires Affordable: Home Heating Options.

> January 2021 more information links

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• February: Appetite for savings: Which Appliance Should I Replace?

> February 2021 more information links

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• April: Keep it cool without blowing the budget: 3 Options for Home Cooling

> April 2021 more information links

Straight Talk Articles 2020

• January: Keeping the Home Fires Affordable: Home Heating Options

> January 2020 more information links

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• February: Your 7 Step Efficiency Upgrade Checklist

>February 2020 more information links

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• March: What You Do Outside Affects Energy Use Inside
  > March 2020 more information links

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• April: Clearing up the 4 main Benefits of New Windows

      > April 2020 more information links

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• May: 5 Steps to a Clear Decision on New Windows

      > May 2020 more information links

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• June: Why You Oughtta Get an Audit

      > June 2020 more information links

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• July: 5 Surprising Home Energy Hogs

      > July 2020 more information links

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• July: 5 Surprising Home Energy Hogs

      > July 2020 more information links

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• August: Sealing Air Leaks, Step by Step

      > August 2020 more information links

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• September: Winterizing Your Manufactured Home

      > September 2020 more information links

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• October: Your Basement Doesn’t Have to be a Money Pit

      > October 2020 more information links

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Straight Talk Articles 2019

• January: Keeping the Home Fires Affordable: Home Heating Options

      > January 2019 more information links

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• February: 7 Low-Cost Energy-Saving Tips for Renters
  > February 2019 more information links

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• March: Gas or electric: Weighing your mower (and lawn) options
  > March 2019 more information links

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• April: Energy Savings Myths
  > April 2019 more information links

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• May: Hot Tips on Keeping Cool for Less
  > May 2019 more information links

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• June: Energy-Saving Apps and Devices
  > June 2019 more information links

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• July: Helping Pets and Saving Energy
  > July 2019 more information links

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• August: 4 Steps to Home-Charging Your Electric Vehicle
  > August 2019 more information links

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• September: Warm Up Your Home this Winter
  > September 2019 more information links

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• October : Is a Heat Pump Right for My Home?
  > October 2019 more information links

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• November: 5 Efficient Products to Give (and Keep)

> November 2019 more information links

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• December: Bright Ideas for Smart-Home Lighting

> December 2019 more information links

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Straight Talk Articles 2018

• January: How Smart Should You Get? Choosing a Thermostat
  > January 2018 more information links

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• February: Radiant Barriers: Are they Worth it?
  > February more information links

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• March: Hiring the Right Contractor
  > March 2018 more information links

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• April: Managing a Renovation Contractor

      > April 2018 more information links

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• May: Staying Comfortable in Summer

      > May 2018 more information links

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• June: Can Solar Work For My Home?

      > June 2018 more information links

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• July: Understanding Your Energy Bills

      > July 2018 more information links

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• August: Understanding Your Appliances

      > August 2018 more information links

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• September: Do Skylights Bring Sky-High Energy Bills?

      > September 2018 more information links

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• October: Tips to Stay Comfortable in Winter

      > October 2018 more information links

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• November: Energy-efficient holiday lighting

      > November 2018 more information links

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• December: Electricity Grows Cleaner and Greener

      > December 2018 more information links

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Straight Talk Articles 2017

• January: The Heart of the Home: Efficient Kitchen Remodeling
  > January 2017 more information links

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• February: Energy Apps for Your Phone: Can they save you money?
  > February 2017 more information links

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• March: Energy Efficient Trees? How Landscaping Can Help Your Energy Bill
  > March 2017 more information links

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• April: Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home
  > April 2017 more information links

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• May: Windows to the World: Where to Start with Replacing Your Windows
  > May 2017 more information links

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• June: Those Drafty Old Windows: Alternatives to Replacement?
  > June 2017 more information links

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• July: Questions to Ask When Purchasing a New Home
  > July 2017 more information links

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• August: Charging Ahead:  Why More Americans are Driving Electric Vehicles
  > August 2017 more information links

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• September: Benefits of Air Source Heat Pumps
  > September 2017 more information links

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• October: Ductless Heat Pumps: Heat and Cool Without Blowing Your Budget
  > October 2017 more information links

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• November: Switch Things Up: Stylish, efficient lighting for your home

      > November 2017 more information links

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• December: Water heater efficiency and maintenance

      > December 2017 more information links

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Straight Talk Articles 2016

• January: Exploring Inner Space: How to Use Space Heaters Efficiently
  > Safe space heater tips
  > January 2016 more information links

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• February: Keeping Your Pets (and Energy Bill!) Comfortable
  > February 2016 more information links

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• March: Ensuring High Quality Energy Efficiency Work
  > March 2016 more information links

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• April: What You Can Learn from a Home Energy Audit
  > April 2016 more information links

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• May: Improve Comfort and Save Energy by Sealing Air Leaks
  > May 2016 more information links

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• June: Can You Have a Zero Net Energy Home?
  > June 2016 more information links

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• July: Wash the Energy Waste Out of Your Laundry!
  > July 2016 more information links

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• August: Is Your Ductwork Delivering?
  > August 2016 more information links

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• September: Is a Geothermal Heat Pump Right for You?
  > September 2016 more information links

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• October: Is Your Attic Haunted by Lack of Insulation?
  > October 2016 more information links

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• November: Power Hog: Do You Have an Unusual Energy Use?
  > November 2016 more information links

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• December: Seal Tight, Ventilate Right
  > December 2016 more information links

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