ENERGY INNOVATION HARD WORK, MADE EASIER

Consider the benefits of battery-powered electric tools

Keeping your outdoor space beautiful isn't a walk in the park. Mowing the lawn, keeping bushes in shape, and clearing leaves takes hard work. But if you're still using gasoline-fueled lawn tools, you could be working harder than you need to.

Electrifying your lawn tools can make your job easier while being kinder to the environment. Read on to discover the many benefits of going electric outdoors.

Less maintenance

Electric lawn tools will never need replacement engine oil, spark plugs, or filters. With battery-powered models, you won't need to check for frayed or damaged wires, which can lead to other safety hazards. Just charge the battery after use and it will be ready the next time you are. The best part? Electric lawn tools will start right up even if you haven't used them for a long time.

Breathe easy, less noise

Electrifying your lawn can also improve the health of your family, your community, and the planet. Because they don't need gasoline, you won't have to store fuel in your garage or shed. And you won't have to breathe in the exhaust as you take care of your yard.

They also have the benefit of quiet operation. Electric lawn tools often produce an amount of noise equivalent to a normal conversation, while gasoline-fueled tools can be loud!

can often have lower upfront cost than gasoline-fueled tools. Less maintenance down the line means even more savings you can put toward other appealing lawn features. Many battery-powered tools may share the same type of battery across different tools, eliminating the need to purchase additional batteries.

Ease of use

If you've ever had to push a heavy gasoline-fueled mower up a steep hill or lug around an old gasoline leaf blower, you'll appreciate lightweight electric tools. Electric lawn tools are lightweight and easy to carry, push, and use. Starting gasoline-fueled lawn tools is no easy feat, either. Electrification puts that annoying task to rest with an easy push-button start.

Electrifying your lawn tools can make your yard beautiful, your life easier, and the planet greener. What could be better?

The electric toolshed

In pursuit of the perfectly manicured lawn this spring? Consider upgrading to convenient and easyto-maintain electric lawn tools to get the job done!

Cordless lawnmower

No stuck pull cords, gas spills, or replacing parts. Battery-powered mowers have a push-to-start button, and are perfect for small / trimming jobs.

Battery-powered trimmer

It's not always easy to cut clean lines with a heavy, inefficient trimmer. Electric models are the perfect option for quiet, accurate trimming.

Cordless leaf blower

Most feature multiple power options and complete freedom of movement.

Battery chainsaw

A toolshed isn't complete without a chainsaw to trim trees and cut firewood, but it can be far less noisy with an electric-powered chainsaw.

Pressure washers

Gas models can provide more power, but electric models can easily cover most household uses.

Energy Efficiency

Do you need a thermostat adjustment?

Adjusting the thermostat at night or when you're not at home is one of the most effective ways to reduce your energy bills. However, with an old thermostat, it's not always easy. You have to manually adjust it every time and you might forget, wasting energy or reducing comfort.

Smart thermostats have been in the market for more than a decade. Their popularity continues to grow as new features optimize savings and add convenience. Today's models are even smarter, offering a variety of features that can make your home comfortable and e cient. Here's the latest:

Remote room sensors

SMART

Get an energy credit up to $150.00 (not to exceed half of the purchase price). Thermostat must be ENERGY STAR-certified with wi-fi capability. Mid-Ohio Energy will verify purchase, installation, and wi-fi connectivity.

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

Some smart thermostat models can be integrated with remote sensors placed in rooms throughout the home. Sensors can detect occupancy, room temperature, and even humidity level and make adjustments to ensure more uniform comfort around your home. Sensors may come packaged with the thermostat or you may have to purchase some or all of them separately.

Interactive displays

More smart thermostat models are including colorful, interactive displays. Users can easily adjust settings using the simple, interactive touchscreen. Colorful displays offer a world of info, including indoor temperature and humidity levels, air quality levels, current weather conditions, weather forecasts and more, depending on the model.

Security

Turn your thermostat into a smart home security hub by integrating it with other smart devices — such as video doorbells, smart security cameras, window and door sensors, and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. This capability is only available with certain models, and you may have to purchase additional compatible devices.

Integrated voice control

Many smart thermostat models are compatible with voice assistants, but some newer models have voice control built right in. You can talk to your thermostat and make adjustments from the comfort of your couch!

Smart thermostat models with these and other advanced features can cost up to $200 or more. However, the extra savings, security and convenience can make the investment worthwhile, especially since Mid-Ohio Energy offers an energy credit up to $150 00 (not to exceed half of the purchase price) for the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR-rated, wi-fi enabled smart thermostat. Visit MidOhioEnergy.com/rebates for details.

The location of your thermostat can affect your HVAC system’s ability to maintain an ideal indoor temperature. For maximum accuracy, thermostats should be placed in the center of the home, away from air vents, plumbing pipes, and exterior doors. Avoid placing items like lamps and televisions near your thermostat, as they can cause the HVAC to run longer than necessary. Avoid installing thermostats in rooms that tend to feel warmer or colder than the rest of the home. Do not place furniture, which can block airflow and result in inaccurate readings, in front of the thermostat.

We realize you're busy, but we hope you'll take a moment for an energy update as part of our “What’s new with...” series! Please reach out to us to discuss any of your energy-related questions.

What’s new with...

ENERGY COSTS

You may have heard investor-owned electric utilities announcing sharp rate increases for this summer. While costs are rising, Mid-Ohio Energy expects your rates to remain stable through the year. Electric co-ops are member-owned, not-for-profit entities. When it comes to energy costs we're here to keep your electricity reliable and hold down costs for our membership. Ohio's cooperatives own power generation assets to meet the needs of our member-consumers. This strategy helps us avoid drastic increases associated with purchasing power at market rates.

Energy Efficiency

Heating and cooling account for about half the energy used in a typical home, so it’s a great place to start when looking to use less energy. Additionally, you could receive a $150 energy credit from Mid-Ohio Energy for purchasing a new ENERGY STAR-rated, wi-fi enabled smart thermostat.

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ENERGY INNOVATION

Looking to enjoy your outside space this spring, but dreading the hard work that comes with maintaining your yard? Make it easier on yourself with batterypowered electric tools! Electric tools can provide plenty of power to get the job done, with less noise, less maintenance, and less strain on your body.

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