January 13, 2025

How would you like a personalized comfort zone within your home? One where the temperature is customized to your liking and may be different than the temperature in the shared living areas or other rooms in the house. This flexibility and customization are precisely why mini-split systems, also known as ductless air-source heat pumps, and their energy efficiency aspects are so popular. Let’s unpack some mini-split basics and explore whether this type of system is a good choice for your home heating and cooling needs. A mini-split system is a type of HVAC equipment used for heating and cooling, allowing...

January 13, 2025

Last month, I highlighted the importance of being ready for the unexpected, specifically regarding grid reliability and the possibility of rolling blackouts during extreme weather. While that remains critical, it’s potentially even more essential to prepare for the unique challenges winter storms, particularly ice storms, could bring us this season. When rain transitions, in freezing temperatures, to ice, it can significantly damage your cooperative’s electrical system. Ice buildup can overload power lines, break poles, and cause trees that were not previously a concern to sag, lean, or snap onto wires. Longtime members of Pioneer may recall the ice storm we...

January 13, 2025

6S Products in Anna started with five family members, one injection molding press, and a mission to find a niche while building a foundation of trust, dependability, and value. “We didn’t have a goal of being a large company; we just wanted to be able to personalize and help find solutions for companies when they need it,” says Neil Schroer, who owns the company along with his wife, Genny; two of their daughters, Emily Schroeder and Tracy Platfoot; and son-in-law, Josh Platfoot. (By the way, entrepreneurial spirit runs through the family: Neil and Genny also have a son, Eric, who...