Blog Post – Dakota Electric Association®

Shift Timing, Shift Savings

As we settle into the summer heat, our homes naturally use more electricity. Air conditioners run longer, refrigerators work harder, and daily routines—from cooking dinner to doing laundry—often overlap during the warmest hours of the day. That’s also when electricity demand across our community peaks. At Dakota Electric Association, our top priority is delivering safe, [...]

2026-06-30T13:16:02-05:00June 30th, 2026|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , |

Coordinating Power Across the Grid

When you flip a switch, electricity is there—instant, reliable and ready to power your day. But behind that simple moment is a carefully coordinated system made up of many “grid power players,” all working together to keep the lights on. At Dakota Electric Association, we think it’s important for our members to understand how this [...]

2026-06-23T11:20:28-05:00June 23rd, 2026|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , , |

Why Vegetation Management Matters

There’s something timeless about trees. They ground us. They remind us of where we’ve been, and they stretch toward what’s ahead. Here in our community, we take pride in the natural beauty that surrounds us—the shade on a summer afternoon, the colors that mark the changing seasons, the quiet strength of something that grows slowly [...]

2026-06-23T10:24:04-05:00June 23rd, 2026|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , |

Lineworkers are Ready When it Matters Most

It’s a special privilege to witness firsthand what it really takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we pause to honor the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers. When storms impact our communities and outages happen, many people feel the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see [...]

Shop Smart and Save: The Best Times to Buy Appliances and Electronics

Did you know that when you buy your next appliance or electronic device, you can make a big difference in how much you pay? Timing your purchase right can help you score major discounts — and save energy in the process.At Dakota Electric Association, we know that upgrading to newer, more efficient appliances can help lower [...]

2026-01-27T14:05:23-06:00November 12th, 2025|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , , , |

Home Lighting 101

Most of us don’t think much about lighting until it’s wrong. Maybe the living room feels too dim for reading, or the kitchen lights cast an odd yellow glow. We often grab whatever bulb or fixture looks good without considering how it will actually perform in the space. But with some planning, you can make [...]

2025-11-04T10:28:47-06:00November 4th, 2025|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , , , |

It’s a Matter of (Co-op!) Principles: Part 2

For Dakota Electric Association, this season encourages reflection, and our greatest gratitude goes to our amazing community. We are fortunate to live in the same area where we work, strengthening our bond with this community. You may recall It’s a Matter of (Co-op) Principles: Part 1 covered the first three Cooperative Principles. We want to [...]

2026-01-27T14:09:11-06:00October 16th, 2025|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , |

It’s a Matter of (Co-op!) Principles: Part 1

ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes and Dakota Electric Association all share something in common: we’re all cooperatives. We may work in different industries but we all share a passion for serving our members and helping our communities thrive. In fact, all cooperatives follow the same set of seven principles that reflect our core [...]

2026-01-27T14:27:45-06:00October 7th, 2025|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , |

Powered by Purpose

In October, electric cooperatives nationwide celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique benefits of belonging to a cooperative. It’s also the perfect time to thank you—the members who make it all possible. For us, it’s not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to reaffirm the core values that guide everything we do. Unlike investor-owned [...]

2025-10-01T15:57:00-05:00October 1st, 2025|Categories: Blog Post|Tags: , , |

Three Smart Home Technologies to Help You Save Energy and Cut Energy Bills

Smart technologies make our homes more comfortable, convenient, and energy efficient. By connecting to your home Wi-Fi network, smart devices automate everyday tasks like lighting, heating, cooling, and home security—they can even communicate with other smart devices. Although not all smart home products are specifically designed for energy savings, several innovative technologies can help reduce [...]