For immediate release:
8:00 a.m. – Thursday, November 12, 2020
Winter can be a beautiful time of the year with white snow and sparkling ice, but that same winter weather can also wreak havoc on communities. It can cause roads to be treacherous, schools to be closed, and sometimes your power to go out. There are some steps that can be taken before a storm is forecast to help keep your family safe and comfortable during winter.
Winterize your home
Consider signing up for a free Empower energy audit. Empower is San Isabel Electric’s new energy-saving products and services program. During the free Empower energy audit, an energy services specialist will do an in-person or virtual walk-through of your home or business and advise energy saving opportunities after assessing your:
- last year of electric usage
- insulation
- window quality
- age of appliances
- types of lighting
- potential air leaks
- HVAC system
The specialist may also discuss alternative power generation options, such as back-up and solar power generation if interested. Improving any of these things can add up to big savings and keep you and your family more comfortable throughout the cold-weather season. More than 30 cash rebates are available for specific energy efficiency upgrades, available exclusively for San Isabel Electric members. To request a free Empower energy audit, or to learn more about the Empower program and rebates go to siea.com/empower, email empower@wordpress-666784-2187745.cloudwaysapps.com or call 800-279-7432 (SIEA).
Be prepared if the lights go out
Power outages are inevitable, and it is important to be prepared for when they do happen. Outages can be reported by calling 1-800-279-SIEA (7432) or by using SmartHub, the co-op’s account management app. Once an outage is determined to be affecting more than 100 meters, outage status updates are posted at siea.com to keep you informed of restoration progress. Updates are posted every two hours, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., until power is restored. Members can find out if the co-op is aware of their outage by checking the outage map, which is available through the SmartHub app and at siea.com.
SIEA is currently conducting a survey to help improve the communication of outage status updates. To participate, please go to siea.com/outagesurvey. They survey will close January 31, 2021.
Tree-trimming
Snowstorms, ice storms, and windstorms can all cause trees to fall on power lines or cause the wires themselves to be knocked down. San Isabel Electric Is responsible for clearing vegetation in our easements. Call SIEA right away at 800-279-SIEA if you have concerns about vegetation near power lines, to have SIEA tree trimmers assess the situation. Calling immediately can help keep the you safe, prevent an outage, and prolong the life of the tree.
Prepare an emergency kit
A good way to start your planning is to put together a home and travel emergency kit. For a list of suggested items to include in emergency kits for the home and vehicles go to ready.gov/kit.
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As a not-for-profit cooperative utility, San Isabel Electric provides affordable, reliable electricity with exceptional service to communities throughout southern Colorado. Serving nearly 20,000 member-owners and 24,000 meters, San Isabel Electric has been keeping the lights on since 1938. We don’t just serve communities. We are part of communities.
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