Winter Storm Preparation – Ice

Posted on: February 5, 2025 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

As of February 5, 2025, our area is under Winter Weather Advisories for freezing rain and ice accumulation.

Ice can weigh down powerlines, create dangerous conditions on the roads, and add hazards to the outage restoration process. Our team is ready to act safely and efficiently if this freezing rain leads to downed lines or outages – make sure make sure you and your family are prepared too!

Please read through the information below to ensure that you know how to report outages, track restoration, and remain safe if power is lost in freezing temperatures.

View Ohio weather alerts here. 

View Ohio travel and roadway conditions here.

Storm and Outage Safety:
  • Never approach a downed powerline or attempt to clear debris from a powerline, even if it appears to be de-energized. Lines can become re-energized as restoration efforts progress, and it is extremely dangerous to go near them without the proper training and equipment. If you see a downed line, call us and 911 right away. 
  • During the restoration process, sometimes power comes back on in spikes that can damage electronics. Unplug all electronics and heat-producing appliances when an outage occurs. 
  • Always follow these generator safety tips, including:
    • Never operate your generator inside your home or garage – even if doors and windows are open. 
    • Never plug your generator into a wall outlet to try and power your home – this can send electricity down de-energized lines, putting line workers in serious danger. 

Follow this link for more safety reminders. 

How to Report an Outage: 
Outage Tracking
  • Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive text message updates about outages in your area.
  • Use our outage map to see the impact of an outage across our territory and track our restoration progress.

Important Outage Preparation Reminders:

  • Do you have any medical equipment or treatments that require electricity or refrigeration? Make a plan with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you know how to stay safe when a power outage occurs. 
  • Maintain an emergency kit with necessary items like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, etc. 
  • Make sure you have blankets and warm clothing easily accessible. 
  • If you know a storm is coming, take time to charge important devices like phones, laptops, and portable batteries in case of an outage. 
  • Ensure that all of your sensitive electronics are protected from power surges. Remember that newer appliances often include computer elements and will need surge protection. Read this article to learn more about the importance of surge protectors and how to pick the surge protectors that best suit your needs. 
  • Remember to include your pets in your preparations! 

Billing Mail Delays – Go Paperless!

Posted on: January 31, 2025 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Over the holidays, our area experienced mail delays that caused our members to receive their bills late in the mail. While this issue was exacerbated by holiday shopping traffic, mail delays are becoming more common, especially in rural areas.

SmartHub, Paperless Billing and AutoPay are some of the best ways to help ensure that mail delays do not impact your ability to manage your
account.

SmartHub is our free, secure online account management system for Consolidated members. Create an account to access all of your billing information online, make payments, track your energy use, and more.


With Paperless Billing, your bill is delivered to you via email as soon as it becomes available each month, so you don’t have to worry about mail delays. Sign up for Paperless on your Consolidated SmartHub account under “Settings,” or contact our team for help


Set up AutoPay to avoid the risk of late payments and ease the stress of remembering to pay your bill each month.Simply choose the account or card that you would like to pay with, and your bill total will be automatically withdrawn and applied to your Consolidated account on your due date each month. You can set up payments through SmartHub
or contact us for help

Learn more about all of our billing and payment options on our About My Bill page.

Polar Vortex – January 2025

Posted on: January 17, 2025 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Get ready for frigid weather!

If you have our natural gas, propane, and/or electric service, please read through important updates about each service below.

In temperatures like these, heating systems use a lot more energy to keep your home at a reasonable temperature. You may be using more gas, propane, and/or electricity to keep your house colder than it usually is, simply because your systems are working much harder to offset the weather. 

Resources 

Visit our Energy Efficiency Page for resources and tools to help you conserve and save.

Visit our Winter Storm Preparation Page to review how to stay safe if an outage occurs in cold weather. 

Natural Gas 

Transport Critical Days

Due to extreme demand, our natural gas supplier has issued “Transport Critical Days,” for January 18-21, which means that all natural gas purchased during this time will cost us about three times more than it usually does.  

As a not-for-profit cooperative, our rates reflect the costs we pay for the services we provide you. This means that we never charge extra to make more profit, but it also means that when our costs increase it increases our members’ costs too. 

Help us keep costs down for all natural gas members by conserving during these Transport Critical Days. While conserving will not change the rates, it will help us purchase less natural gas while the costs are so high. The less we have to purchase during this time, the less impact it has on our members.  

We will share more information with our natural gas members when the Transport Critical Days are over and we have a more complete picture of their impact.

Electric 

Peak Alerts

During times of extreme demand (like a polar vortex), you may hear about “peak alerts” or “peak demand.” A “peak alert” occurs when a utility provider is close to demanding more electric power than they have ever used before. When demand reaches a new peak, it also sets a new, higher price than electricity. 

Now more than ever, it is important for us all to try and safely conserve power during times when demand is high – not just to curb rising costs, but also to help avoid the need for rolling blackouts. Conservation during peak times can be as simple as lowering your thermostat by a few degrees, or turning off unused appliances and electronics. Learn more about electric energy reliability and affordability on our Energy Policy Resources page. 

Propane 

Keep an eye on your tank! 

Our propane team is working hard to make sure you have the fuel that you need to stay warm, but times of high use can make it harder for members to keep tabs on their propane tank. Please be aware that you are likely using propane at a faster rate than usual, even if you have turned your thermostat down.

During times of extreme cold, we recommend calling in to schedule a refill when your tank reaches 40%, instead of our typical recommendation of 30%. High use can catch our members off guard, and our teams are running a tight schedule as many more members are calling in for regular and urgent refills. When demand is this high, it takes us more time than usual to work in unexpected, last-minute deliveries. It also may cost you more, as you can incur leak test and rush fees if your tank is empty or below 10% capacity. 

We understand that sometimes things happen, and we will do our best to get to you efficiently if your tank is running low. Please join us in taking extra precautions and checking your tank more frequently during cold snaps. Thank you for working with us! 

Delaware Office Closures

Posted on: December 16, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Starting on December 19, our Delaware office lobby will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays. We have had some exciting internal promotions, and we are in the process of hiring and training new member engagement team members to help you over the phone and in our offices.  

We are committed to maintaining the high-level of service that you expect from us during this time, and we need to limit our office hours to do so. We do not plan to make this a permanent change, and we will re-evaluate through 2025.

We will still be here for you over the phone and via email on Thursdays and Fridays, and our Mount Gilead office and dropboxes will remain open as usual.

If you typically pay your bill in the Delaware office, please make sure to adjust your schedule or choose another of our many convenient payment options. 

Two-Factor Authentication: Keep your account secure!

Posted on: December 5, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Do you have a Consolidated SmartHub account? Set up two-factor authentication to help keep your information secure. 

Two-factor authentication is a simple step that can make a big difference in your online security. If you enable two-factor authentication, SmartHub will ask for a second layer of security in addition to your password each time you log in. This second layer will come through a single-use code that you can have sent to your mobile phone or that you get from a code-generator app.  

Why is two-factor authentication important? 

Two-factor authentication is a great way to keep your information safe online. It makes it much harder for hackers or other bad actors to break into your accounts, even if your password is stolen or leaked. We recommend enabling two-factor authentication on all of your online accounts that offer it, not just SmartHub! 

How do I set up two-factor authentication? 

You can find the option to enable two-factor authentication under “settings” in the menu on your Consolidated SmartHub account. If you are unfamiliar with this process, we have created user guides to provide you with a step-by-step walkthrough:

Two-Factor Authentication: Text Message Setup

Two-Factor Authentication: Code Generator Setup

Removing Two-Factor Authentication

If you have questions, our team can help you. Give us a call at 800-421-5863. 

What is SmartHub? 

SmartHub is our online account management system available to all of our members. All you need is your account number to get started. You can use SmartHub to view all your account information in one secure place online, track your energy use, set up automatic payments, and more! Learn more and sign up.

It’s time to plant!

Posted on: October 31, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Paperless Billing Results

From October 2023 to March 2024, we ran a campaign encouraging members to sign up for Paperless Billing. At the beginning of the campaign, we pledged to plant a tree in our service territory for every 100 members who changed over to Paperless during that time.

More than 3,400 members made the switch, so we have 34 trees to plant!

We will be planting in the following locations from November 5-14:

  • Berkshire Township Community Park
  • Morrow County Park District – Cedar Fork Park
  • Morrow County Park District – Flying Squirrel
  • Morrow County Park District – Gleason Family Nature Reserve
  • Candlewood Lake Association
  • The Village of Cardington
  • Woodside Village Care Center
  • Big Walnut Intermediate School
  • Brown Township Hall
  • Highland High School
  • Preservation Parks – Hickory Woods Park
  • Delaware County Fair
  • Radnor Township Hall
  • Leeds Farm

Thank you, Riverside Native Trees!

We partnered with Riverside Native Trees, a restoration nursery on Consolidated lines in Delaware, to get our trees, including red maple, common hackberry, bur oak, and northern catalpa. Riverside grows native trees and shrubs from seeds collected locally, which gives our tress the best chance at successful growth and a long life when planted here in Ohio.

If you are interested in learning more about Riverside’s mission and available plants, visit riversidenativetrees.com.

Right Tree, Right Place

As a certified TreeLine USA Utility, we know that trees play a vital role in the health and beauty of our communities, and we train our crews to protect them while they work in the field.

Properly placed trees can help you save energy by providing shade in the summer and blocking wind in the winter, but trees that are not planted correctly can be hazardous.

If you are considering planting trees near your home, please visit the Arbor Day Foundation’s website for guides that will help you plant the right tree in the right place by considering things like mature height, canopy spread, and growth rate. These guides will help you ensure that your trees provide the function and aesthetic that you are hoping for without posing a threat to your home or powerlines.

Beat the heat!

Posted on: June 14, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Our service area expecting some serious high temperatures over the next week! Keep reading for important information about managing hot weather and energy use, or visit ready.gov/heat for important heat safety information.

Staying Cool and Saving Energy

As temperatures rise, most people find themselves using more energy to keep their homes cool. Check out the tips below to beat the heat while saving energy, or use our free Home Energy Calculator for custom, season-specific efficiency advice!

  • Sunlight adds unwanted heat to your home; make sure that your blinds or curtains are closed during the heat of the day.
  • Fans cool people, not rooms. Leaving a fan on will not bring down the temperature of your home, so make sure to turn off fans when you are no longer using them.
  • Cook with a crock pot or grill. Your oven and stove can add unwanted heat to your home, causing your air conditioner to work harder and use more energy.
  • Make sure to seal any air leaks around doors or windows with caulk and weather stripping to keep warm air out and cool air in.

Severe Weather

Hot temperatures can come with the risk of severe storms. Make sure you and your family have a plan and know how to stay safe if storm damage leads to outages. Visit our Outage Safety page to sign up for Outage Alerts, review important safety information, and more!

Peak Alerts

During extreme temperatures, you might here people talking about peak alerts. Peak alerts occur when demand for electricity is reaching a new high, or “peak,” which can increase the cost that electric providers have to pay for the energy that they deliver to you. When that cost goes up, so do your energy bills.

To avoid a price increase, we ask our members to voluntarily reduce their electricity use during times of extreme demand. Make sure to turn off unused lights and appliances, and hold off on using large appliances like your dryer or dishwasher until the weather cools down in the evening. Follow this link to learn more about peak alerts.

Reliability

This summer, Ohio is at a low risk for rolling blackouts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t possible during times of extreme weather. Learn more about rolling blackouts and grid reliability on our Energy Policy Resources page.

Speak up for reliable, affordable energy!

Posted on: April 23, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that U.S. power demand will reach its highest levels ever in 2024 and 2025.

Despite this increase in demand, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with regulations that threaten to close always-available power plants and make it harder to build new power plants.  These regulations will increase the risk of rolling blackouts while also making energy more expensive.

Check out this statement from America’s Electric Cooperatives to learn more about the EPA’s new rules and the ways they would impact America’s electric grid.

Our economy and everyday lives increasingly depend on electricity, and we need our elected officials to prioritize policy that keeps the lights on. We were fortunate to experience mild weather 2023, which helped keep demand down and blackouts at bay. However, increasing demand could lead to blackout risks even in temperate conditions.

Please join us in advocating for reliable, affordable energy! Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP) has made it easy to write a letter to your elected officials and advocate against overreaching policies that make it more challenging and expensive to keep the lights on.

It only takes a couple of minutes to make a big impact. Learn more and send your letter today! 

New Program: Custom Bill Videos

Posted on: April 9, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Energy use often fluctuates from month to month, especially as seasons change. You may not always notice that you are using more energy until you get a bill that is higher than usual.

Our new custom bill video program is designed to help you understand spikes in your energy use and avoid unexpected energy costs in the future! As we send out energy bills each month, we will email a customized video to any member whose bill went up by $25 or more since the previous month.

These automated videos will be tailored to each individual member and provide insight that helps you understand why your energy use increased.

Don’t miss your custom videos! 

There are two steps to ensure that you receive your custom video if your energy bill qualifies:

  1. Make sure that we have your correct, up-to-date email address on file. You can update your contact information on your Consolidated SmartHub account, or by calling us at 800-421-5863. 
  2. Add our email address to your contacts to ensure that your videos won’t go to spam. These videos will arrive in your email inbox from this address: No-Reply@consolidated.coop. 

Additional Resources 

If you are looking for more resources to help you save energy and money this year, check out our Energy Efficiency Resources. We offer calculators, tracking tools, rebates, and more to help you stay in control of your energy use. 

Our members are automatically enrolled in our new high-bill notification program; you do not need to sign up. 

Energy Efficiency Resources

Posted on: March 29, 2024 By: hcarter@consolidated.coop

Are you looking for ways to use less energy? As a not-for-profit cooperative, we love helping our members become more energy-efficient. We offer many tools and resources to help you understand where your energy dollars are going and identify the best ways to improve your home’s efficiency.

If you are looking account management tools like Budget Billing or InControl Prepay, check out our My Account page.

Home Energy Calculator

Our free Home Energy Calculator is designed to help you make your home more energy-efficient. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and it will give you a custom report with season-specific tips to help you use less energy.

Home Energy Calculator

Residential Rebates

Our Residential Rebates program is designed to help you save money while making your home more efficient. Check out our qualifying home upgrades to see how you can save!

Rebates

Energy Use Tracking

Stay on top of your energy use and find ways to save with our energy use tracking tools on your online Consolidated SmartHub account. Visit the “Usage” tab on your account to view your average energy use, compare, and find ways to use less.

SmartHub

Energy Resource Center

Our Energy Resource Center is a new-and-improved library of resources to help you understand and save energy. Use tools like our lighting and electric vehicle calculators, or browse educational resources like our Interactive Energy home.

Home Energy Center

Talk to us!

Would you prefer to have a conversation about your energy use? Call us at 800-421-5863  for help. When you call, please have a list of your energy efficiency questions and concerns ready so our team can help connect you to the answers and resources that will be most helpful.

Light up your life.