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Hard at Work For Our Members
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Monday | July 13, 2020
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Looking Out For Member Needs, Even In Uncertain Times.
Operations at United Power have Continued Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s been more than three months since United Power closed its office locations to walk-in visitors and moved over half of the co-op’s employees to remote work locations in an effort to mitigate the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 to both members and employees. The preemptive nature of the cooperative’s office closure allowed it to continue operations at a safe distance while many other businesses were temporarily closing or stopping nonessential services. Over the past few weeks, many businesses have been able to gradually reopen in phases as virus numbers started to drop in Colorado, but United Power has continued to work hard on behalf of its members throughout this time.
As the summer inches to a close and the beginning of a new school year approaches, uncertainty remains, especially as coronavirus cases are again on the rise across the country. United Power continues to closely monitor the situation and plan carefully for the future, remembering to put members’ needs at the forefront of decision-making processes. Here are just a few of the many essential functions the co-op has continued to provide members.
Get Cooperative Updates on the Website
The United Power website exists as a free resource to learn more about the cooperative, its activities and opportunities available to you and your family as a member. It’s also been a tremendous resource for members to get updates about the cooperative’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Regular updates containing pertinent information detail how United Power is taking actionable approaches to the situation. Members can learn more about the United Power coronavirus response here.
In addition to timely updates about pandemic response, the website connected members to the cooperative’s first-ever virtual annual meeting and to assistance and resources for members who have been economically impacted. For members seeking the most up-to-date and relevant information from United Power, the cooperative’s website has answers to many of your questions and is also updated with new information as it becomes available.
Shopping For A New Appliance?
Lots of time at home may have given you ample opportunity to consider whether to replace an old appliance, such as a dishwasher or refrigerator. Certain ENERGY STAR appliances qualify for exclusive member rebates through United Power. (Confused about shopping for the most energy efficient appliances? Learn more about navigating the process on Page 7.) Rebate applications must be returned within 120 days of purchase, but United Power has you covered. Our online rebate application is quick, simple and delivered directly to the cooperative’s energy management team. All you need is a little information about your new appliance and a few photos to confirm it meets ENERGY STAR requirements.
More information about appliance rebates and qualifying products can be found on our appliance rebate page. For a full list of available rebates, go to
our programs and rebates page. Don’t forget other energy management services are also still available, which can be found on the website.
Growing Rapidly
United Power has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years. The cooperative has continued to outpace nationwide growth averages and is one of the fastest growing co-ops in the country, due in large part to its location in relation to Denver. It provides power to some of the nation’s fastest growing suburban communities, as well as several fast-growing industrial corridors. In 2019, the cooperative added 5,999 new meters and is on pace for another strong year in 2020. While many business have been impacted by the current pandemic it has not slowed the growth of construction projects in the cooperative’s service territory.
The new construction team at United Power continued to process and design applications for new service throughout the pandemic.
Convenient Ways to Pay
Although United Power office locations remain closed at this time, members who prefer cash payments may still do so using payment kiosks in Brighton, Carbon Valley and Coal Creek. Any member, however, may also take advantage of a half dozen alternative payment methods United Power offers. Payment options include Auto Pay, ensuring your payment is made on-time every month, and Pay Now, a quick way to make a one-time payment using just your account number and a form of payment, among others. A full list of available payment and billing options is available here.
For Account Assistance, Call Member Services
United Power’s Member Service Representatives have continued to work regularly scheduled hours for member convenience throughout the pandemic. Spending more time at home during quarantine means you’ve likely become even more aware of energy needs in your home. If you have questions about your account, are interested in available member programs and rebates or need to report an outage, representatives are available to take your call during business hours Monday – Friday at 303-637-1300. Outages can be reported via the phone line even after hours.
For further COVID-19 updates, check the United Power website regularly.
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Have You Checked Out Your Bill Pay Addresses Recently?
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Saturday | October 30, 2021
Do you pay your United Power using a bill pay service from your bank? Remember that you are responsible for making sure that the payment is being sent to the correct account. Bill pay is a function of your bank account, and United Power can not help you if a payment is sent to an incorrect address.
Both the utilities that serve you and the financial services industry are constantly updating processes and sometimes that includes changes in routing numbers or to addresses where bill payments are sent. If you haven’t checked your bill payment addresses recently, we recommend you take a few minutes to review those payments including your United Power bill.
Where Should Your Payment be Sent?
United Power bill payments should be sent to:
United Power
PO Box 173703
Denver, CO 80217-3703
What Can I Do If My Payment Was Sent to a Different Address?
We recommend contacting your bank to determine what happened to your payment. United Power is unable to access your bank account or assist you in changing bill pay details on your personal account. If you have fallen behind on your United Power account because of a misdirected payment, please contact us to let us know you are working with your bank to correct the issue.
Is There Another Way to Pay My United Power Bill?
United Power offers several ways to pay your bill. You can make a simple one-time payment through our Pay Now link, set up auto pay, or even explore our Pay as You Go program. Learn more about each of these options on our website, or contact one of our Member Services Representatives to help you understand and access any of these options. Of course we also accept payments in person during business hours at our Brighton Office, or you can use a payment kiosk at our Brighton, Carbon Valley, Ft. Lupton or Coal Creek Canyon kiosk locations. These self-serve kiosks are open outside of normal business hours, including weekends. Available hours for each kiosk vary, so check out their open times on our website.
Helping Forge a Renewable Future
Thursday | May 13, 2021
United Power has long been invested in pursuing renewable projects that make economic sense for both the cooperative and its members.
Read more >
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High Heat Can Lead to High Bills
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Wednesday | June 15, 2022
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How to stay on top of energy use before your bill arrives.
Nothing affects your energy use and your bill like extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Especially when those temperatures stay high for an extended period, as we’ve experienced over the last month.
Heating and cooling are the largest contributors to your energy use, so when the temperature drastically rises, usage and bills go up. Your home’s age, how many people live there, and how cool you keep your home all play a part.
So, what can you do? United Power offers a variety of tools and programs to help you manage your budget and be more energy-efficient.
Monitor Your Daily Usage
Through the United Power mobile app and the Power Portal, you can watch for trends in your usage to see how much energy you’ve used before your bill arrives.
Make Your Smart Thermostat Work
Enroll your Nest or Honeywell smart thermostat in our Smart Rewards program and you’ll help us curb energy during peak times. This saves the cooperative from purchasing expensive peak power, reduces your energy use, and we pay you $25 at the end of the summer for participating.
Enroll in Pay As You Go
Never receive a bill after the fact. With Pay As You Go, you pay for electricity the same way you pay for gas or groceries, keeping you well informed of how much energy you’re using and what it is costing daily.
Energy-Saving Tips
Check out these energy-saving tips to help lower your bill:
Keep your thermostat setting as high as you can. Every degree below 78 can increase your bill three percent or more.
Have your air conditioner serviced regularly and don’t forget to change the filters. Dirty filters reduce air flow and cause your system to work harder, which can increase your cooling costs and lead to costly repairs.
Plug those leaks! Use weather stripping, caulk or foam insulation to fill in the leaks around windows, doors, or under your sinks where the pipes go into the wall.
Block the sun! During the day, close your blinds or curtains, especially on windows that face the sun to avoid extra heat gain.
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Hodge, Whitmore Honored
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Friday | November 3, 2017
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Mary Hodge, Adams County Commissioner, and Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer received the distinguished Alumni of the Plains award from Pro 15 at their annual Fall Conference held in October.
Mary Hodge, Adams County Commissioner, and Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer received the distinguished Alumni of the Plains award from Pro 15 at their annual Fall Conference held in October. Commissioner Hodge was also inducted into the Pro 15 Legislative Hall of Fame.
Hodge, a United Power member, graduated from high school in Idalia, Colo., and prior to serving as an Adams County Commissioner, she served in the Colorado State Legislature in both the House and Senate. Whitmore graduated from high school in Haxtun, Colo. and has been with United Power for 31 years. He has served the community on the Thornton City Council, Brighton Economic Development Council, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce Board and Government Affairs Committee, Northeastern Junior College Alumni Association and the Colorado 4-H and Colorado FFA Foundations.
The Alumni of the Plains award was established eleven years ago to recognize individuals who graduated from a high school in one of the 15 counties in Northeast Colorado, and who have excelled in their profession. Progressive 15 (Pro 15) is the collective voice of 15 counties in Northeast Colorado—advocating for legislation and policy that impact the economic vitality of the region.
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Home Appliances: 6 Ways to Save
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Friday | February 25, 2022
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Take some easy steps to save on the operation of your appliances, or boost your savings with a new appliance rebate from your co-op.
Our appliances make life easier and help tackle the manual tasks of housework, but there’s a cost to this convenience. Many newer models are designed to be energy efficient, but why not take measures that will help you save even more energy and money?
Run a full load. Wash clothes and dishes with a full load only; partial loads waste energy and water. Load your dishwasher according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the racks completely to maximize water and energy use but allow for adequate water circulation to ensure clean dishes.
Stay cool and fresh. Set refrigerator and freezer thermostats at the recommended temperature settings: 37°F to 40°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. It will help optimize energy savings while keeping foods fresh.
Stock the fridge. A fully stocked unit uses less energy because there is less air to cool. Avoid overfilling; too many items packed together closely will reduce air circulation.
Keep your dryer dry. Clean the lint filter after each dryer load; this will increase air circulation and improve dryer efficiency. Inspect your dryer vent periodically to ensure that it's not blocked.
Air your clean laundry. When doing laundry, why not air-dry your clothes? It will reduce energy costs, and it may help to keep clothes looking new.
Get cooking efficiently. Use your microwave or toaster oven rather than the stovetop or oven. These smaller appliances often heat food more quickly, while using less energy. If you do use the stovetop, match the pan size to the burner size, and cover pots and pans.
Boost your Savings with an Energy Smart Rebate
Looking to upgrade to more efficient appliances? Replace older appliances with new ENERGY STAR®-certified efficient models. These products are the best of the best, delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation.
United Power members can boost their savings with rebates on a variety of ENERGY STAR® and select efficient electric appliances. View the complete menu of Energy Smart Rebates to reduce the cost your new appliance purchase.
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How to Modernize the Electric Grid: Rethinking Our Vision
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Monday | August 2, 2021
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Modernization of the electric grid should not be the singular focus of spending in the United States, rather we should also be targeting our efforts and dollars at specific projects that will make the most immediate impacts.
Modernization of the electric grid should not be the singular focus of spending in the United States, rather we should also be targeting our efforts and dollars at specific projects that will make the most immediate impacts. Billions are spent every year on upgrading the system and adding intelligence to the grid and are always balanced against the impacts on rates and customers. Even with unlimited checkbooks on transmission – California and Texas are great examples – system issues can occur.
As a country, we should dream big but equally critical are to make improvements that can have an immediate impact on improving the nation’s infrastructure. The vision of seven hundred and sixty-five megawatt lines crisscrossing the U.S. is a “BHAG” – big, hairy audacious goal – that should be pursued.
However, with even the simplest transmission project taking a decade or more, we should take some specific, short- and medium-term actions.
It is also important to realize while permitting is slow, money is currently available to invest in transmission. The hang up is in assuring the line will be used and commitments made to guarantee the offtake of power. In other words, if no demand backed by financial arrangements, no construction. So, what projects do I believe can and should be done today?
Rebuild the seven AC/DC ties between the Eastern and Western grid. At a cost of roughly thirty million, this project could be complete in less than eighteen months.
Expand the Mead Substation at Hoover Dam into a renewable energy hub. This project will take between twenty-four to thirty-six months to complete. It is at the base of the El Dorado Valley, connects to California, and is the ideal spot for a robust hub.
Complete the Intertie Project started in 1964. In forty-eight months or less, the two hundred and seventy-five miles of transmission could be built that would loop the Pacific Northwest across the west and into the Southwest Power Pool.
Widen our focus and fund technology that benefits the nation and not just a single region. Concentrate those efforts on grid cybersecurity, as well as advanced system sensing to anticipate and avoid issues.
Another key area is to create a cohesive national effort to enhance wildfire tools and technology, including the expansion of right-of-way tree clearing. Encourage or standardize the use of coated cables, especially in areas when undergrounding is limited by terrain or cost.
Create an incentive structure that supports our end goals for improvements in the grid. Pay higher incentives for the power solutions that are really needed: pay a higher rate of return for lines that serve grids wider than a single state, quit paying for redundant infrastructure, and guarantee offtake as a fundamental component of the incentive structure.
Create real markets that span time zones and weather conditions and empower those entities to support. This should also include an RTO to coordinate offshore wind and provide the trading and management platform.
Finally, recognize that transmission is best suited to fix the growing energy divide. The digital divide is often spoken of in our country when the energy divide is an even greater one to navigate for underserved or unserved communities. The “haves” can afford solar panels and storage, while the “have nots” are paying the price. The haves can create microgrids – which serve a purpose – but also serve to create a balkanized electrical system.
Our current business models hang on an engineering measurement – the kilowatt/megawatt hour paradigm. This paradigm is no longer valid when the haves can move their energy supply off the grid for a portion of the day while the have nots pay the carrying costs. We need to move beyond a simple engineering focus on our grid and the delivery of power and understand the far-reaching effects being created with our inherently uneven system.
The question to be asking is how can we effectively grow our grid to realize all the intrinsic potential, and bring all our citizens along to enjoy those benefits? Let us dream for the future and act for today.
This article recently appeared in August 2021 Public Utilities Fortnightly. Read the original article here.
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How to Use New Payment Kiosks
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Tuesday | December 10, 2019
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United Power has placed payment kiosks at two office locations this year.
United Power has payment kiosks at our Brighton, Coal Creek and Carbon Valley office locations. These easy-to-use and hassle-free kiosks accept cash, credit card or check payments. Cash and credit card payments made using a kiosk are applied to your account immediately, and accounts subject to disconnection are restored immediately upon payment.
To make a payment at one of these kiosks, bring your United Power account number and a form of payment.
Set Up Your Fast Pass for Quick Access
To make your transactions faster, there is an option to set up a “Fast Pass,” which will be prompted once you complete a successful transaction. You’ll create a 4-digit PIN and receive a printed barcode.
The next time you visit a United Power payment kiosk, select “Fast Pass” and quickly find your account with the barcode/PIN or the phone number you used when setting up your Fast Pass.
Please be careful to enter the correct phone and account numbers when making a payment because your Fast Pass will reflect these numbers exactly as you input them.
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Industry Standard in System Reliability
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Monday | February 14, 2022
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Since altering its maintenance practices a few years ago, United Power’s reliability has significantly improved, as have its outage numbers.
United Power Consistently, Significantly Better than National Average
United Power understands the most important thing its members want is consistently reliable power. Being able to deliver uninterrupted power is prominently weighed in how the cooperative defines success each year. Since altering its maintenance practices a few years ago, United Power’s reliability has significantly improved, as have its outage numbers. Already an industry leader in automated field devices and other innovative projects, the cooperative is also trending well below the national average in utility outage times, setting yet another standard for others to emulate.
The national average for outage duration among electric utilities in the United States has consistently hovered around 120 minutes per meter. This means the average electric consumer can expect to experience approximately two hours of outage time at their home over the course of a year. When United Power’s operations team instituted a new data-driven maintenance plan in 2017, its average outage times resembled the national averages. In the four years following the plan’s launch, the cooperative’s outage times per meter have dropped below 70 minutes.
The new maintenance practice focuses on analyzing data collected across thousands of miles of line to isolate the worst performing segments. With these segments identified, targeted maintenance projects can be scheduled to improve their performance.
“When you target maintenance efforts at the worst performing parts of the system it improves reliability for members served off of it,” said Bryant Robbins, United Power’s Chief Operating Officer. “Maintenance is an ongoing process, but as long as we continue analyzing the data, isolating problem sections and targeting our maintenance efforts to improve them, it improves the whole system’s reliability and resilience.”
Devices on the system, such as enhanced technology in substations and advanced metering equipment, collect data and transfer it back to system operators. In the event of an outage, these devices can capture important information, such as time, location and sequence-of-events. Armed with this, lineworkers in the field can use the information to restore power to members more quickly, which also contributes to decreased outage times. Without this information, not only would identifying problematic areas be difficult, or even impossible, it would also create additional delays in power restoration as lineworkers inspect miles of line to find the cause.
Some system improvements have served dual functions. United Power recently published its comprehensive fire mitigation plan, which includes new standards and program initiatives primarily focused on areas of the territory that are particularly at risk of wildfires, such as Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyons. In December, storms blew through the territory with wind speeds in excess of 115 mph, including the storm that ultimately fueled the Marshall Fire. The cooperative activated its fire mitigation protocols during these windstorms, and due to proactive upgrades only experienced a few small outages.
“Our maintenance and system improvement efforts are already paying off for our members,” said Robbins. “Implementing this new maintenance plan has been effective and is proving its value. It’s hard to estimate how many outages you’ve prevented when you don’t have them, but our proactive efforts have gone a long way in helping prevent and/or quickly resolving outages.”
Regardless of the size or length of outage, United Power is continually investigating what causes them and how it can implement new practices to decrease their impact to members and duration. From system redundancies allowing the cooperative to restore power from a secondary location while repairs are being made to deploying an industry-leading number of automated devices, improving system reliability is one of United Power’s core goals.
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Is Your Contact Info Up to Date?
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Thursday | January 16, 2020
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Check your information to make sure you're getting important updates from your co-op.
United Power has been using recorded phone messages to let members know when a preplanned outage has been scheduled in their area for maintenance work. As new software becomes available, the cooperative may have more options to send important communications to members electronically.
Electronic communications are tied to individual member accounts and use the phone numbers and/or email addresses the cooperative has on record. If the contact information on record isn’t up-to-date or is entered incorrectly, you may be missing out on important notifications from United Power.
You can check your contact information and make necessary updates using the free online payment portal, SmartHub. To set up an online account, go to www.unitedpower.com and click on Online Account Services under My Account. Contact information can also be updated by calling the Member Services Team at 303-637-1300.
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Hard at Work For Our Members
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Monday | July 13, 2020
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Looking Out For Member Needs, Even In Uncertain Times.
Operations at United Power have Continued Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s been more than three months since United Power closed its office locations to walk-in visitors and moved over half of the co-op’s employees to remote work locations in an effort to mitigate the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 to both members and employees. The preemptive nature of the cooperative’s office closure allowed it to continue operations at a safe distance while many other businesses were temporarily closing or stopping nonessential services. Over the past few weeks, many businesses have been able to gradually reopen in phases as virus numbers started to drop in Colorado, but United Power has continued to work hard on behalf of its members throughout this time.
As the summer inches to a close and the beginning of a new school year approaches, uncertainty remains, especially as coronavirus cases are again on the rise across the country. United Power continues to closely monitor the situation and plan carefully for the future, remembering to put members’ needs at the forefront of decision-making processes. Here are just a few of the many essential functions the co-op has continued to provide members.
Get Cooperative Updates on the Website
The United Power website exists as a free resource to learn more about the cooperative, its activities and opportunities available to you and your family as a member. It’s also been a tremendous resource for members to get updates about the cooperative’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Regular updates containing pertinent information detail how United Power is taking actionable approaches to the situation. Members can learn more about the United Power coronavirus response here.
In addition to timely updates about pandemic response, the website connected members to the cooperative’s first-ever virtual annual meeting and to assistance and resources for members who have been economically impacted. For members seeking the most up-to-date and relevant information from United Power, the cooperative’s website has answers to many of your questions and is also updated with new information as it becomes available.
Shopping For A New Appliance?
Lots of time at home may have given you ample opportunity to consider whether to replace an old appliance, such as a dishwasher or refrigerator. Certain ENERGY STAR appliances qualify for exclusive member rebates through United Power. (Confused about shopping for the most energy efficient appliances? Learn more about navigating the process on Page 7.) Rebate applications must be returned within 120 days of purchase, but United Power has you covered. Our online rebate application is quick, simple and delivered directly to the cooperative’s energy management team. All you need is a little information about your new appliance and a few photos to confirm it meets ENERGY STAR requirements.
More information about appliance rebates and qualifying products can be found on our appliance rebate page. For a full list of available rebates, go to
our programs and rebates page. Don’t forget other energy management services are also still available, which can be found on the website.
Growing Rapidly
United Power has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years. The cooperative has continued to outpace nationwide growth averages and is one of the fastest growing co-ops in the country, due in large part to its location in relation to Denver. It provides power to some of the nation’s fastest growing suburban communities, as well as several fast-growing industrial corridors. In 2019, the cooperative added 5,999 new meters and is on pace for another strong year in 2020. While many business have been impacted by the current pandemic it has not slowed the growth of construction projects in the cooperative’s service territory.
The new construction team at United Power continued to process and design applications for new service throughout the pandemic.
Convenient Ways to Pay
Although United Power office locations remain closed at this time, members who prefer cash payments may still do so using payment kiosks in Brighton, Carbon Valley and Coal Creek. Any member, however, may also take advantage of a half dozen alternative payment methods United Power offers. Payment options include Auto Pay, ensuring your payment is made on-time every month, and Pay Now, a quick way to make a one-time payment using just your account number and a form of payment, among others. A full list of available payment and billing options is available here.
For Account Assistance, Call Member Services
United Power’s Member Service Representatives have continued to work regularly scheduled hours for member convenience throughout the pandemic. Spending more time at home during quarantine means you’ve likely become even more aware of energy needs in your home. If you have questions about your account, are interested in available member programs and rebates or need to report an outage, representatives are available to take your call during business hours Monday – Friday at 303-637-1300. Outages can be reported via the phone line even after hours.
For further COVID-19 updates, check the United Power website regularly.
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Have You Checked Out Your Bill Pay Addresses Recently?
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Saturday | October 30, 2021
Do you pay your United Power using a bill pay service from your bank? Remember that you are responsible for making sure that the payment is being sent to the correct account. Bill pay is a function of your bank account, and United Power can not help you if a payment is sent to an incorrect address.
Both the utilities that serve you and the financial services industry are constantly updating processes and sometimes that includes changes in routing numbers or to addresses where bill payments are sent. If you haven’t checked your bill payment addresses recently, we recommend you take a few minutes to review those payments including your United Power bill.
Where Should Your Payment be Sent?
United Power bill payments should be sent to:
United Power
PO Box 173703
Denver, CO 80217-3703
What Can I Do If My Payment Was Sent to a Different Address?
We recommend contacting your bank to determine what happened to your payment. United Power is unable to access your bank account or assist you in changing bill pay details on your personal account. If you have fallen behind on your United Power account because of a misdirected payment, please contact us to let us know you are working with your bank to correct the issue.
Is There Another Way to Pay My United Power Bill?
United Power offers several ways to pay your bill. You can make a simple one-time payment through our Pay Now link, set up auto pay, or even explore our Pay as You Go program. Learn more about each of these options on our website, or contact one of our Member Services Representatives to help you understand and access any of these options. Of course we also accept payments in person during business hours at our Brighton Office, or you can use a payment kiosk at our Brighton, Carbon Valley, Ft. Lupton or Coal Creek Canyon kiosk locations. These self-serve kiosks are open outside of normal business hours, including weekends. Available hours for each kiosk vary, so check out their open times on our website.
Helping Forge a Renewable Future
Thursday | May 13, 2021
United Power has long been invested in pursuing renewable projects that make economic sense for both the cooperative and its members.
Read more >
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High Heat Can Lead to High Bills
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Wednesday | June 15, 2022
Card Teaser
How to stay on top of energy use before your bill arrives.
Nothing affects your energy use and your bill like extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Especially when those temperatures stay high for an extended period, as we’ve experienced over the last month.
Heating and cooling are the largest contributors to your energy use, so when the temperature drastically rises, usage and bills go up. Your home’s age, how many people live there, and how cool you keep your home all play a part.
So, what can you do? United Power offers a variety of tools and programs to help you manage your budget and be more energy-efficient.
Monitor Your Daily Usage
Through the United Power mobile app and the Power Portal, you can watch for trends in your usage to see how much energy you’ve used before your bill arrives.
Make Your Smart Thermostat Work
Enroll your Nest or Honeywell smart thermostat in our Smart Rewards program and you’ll help us curb energy during peak times. This saves the cooperative from purchasing expensive peak power, reduces your energy use, and we pay you $25 at the end of the summer for participating.
Enroll in Pay As You Go
Never receive a bill after the fact. With Pay As You Go, you pay for electricity the same way you pay for gas or groceries, keeping you well informed of how much energy you’re using and what it is costing daily.
Energy-Saving Tips
Check out these energy-saving tips to help lower your bill:
Keep your thermostat setting as high as you can. Every degree below 78 can increase your bill three percent or more.
Have your air conditioner serviced regularly and don’t forget to change the filters. Dirty filters reduce air flow and cause your system to work harder, which can increase your cooling costs and lead to costly repairs.
Plug those leaks! Use weather stripping, caulk or foam insulation to fill in the leaks around windows, doors, or under your sinks where the pipes go into the wall.
Block the sun! During the day, close your blinds or curtains, especially on windows that face the sun to avoid extra heat gain.
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Hodge, Whitmore Honored
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Friday | November 3, 2017
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Mary Hodge, Adams County Commissioner, and Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer received the distinguished Alumni of the Plains award from Pro 15 at their annual Fall Conference held in October.
Mary Hodge, Adams County Commissioner, and Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer received the distinguished Alumni of the Plains award from Pro 15 at their annual Fall Conference held in October. Commissioner Hodge was also inducted into the Pro 15 Legislative Hall of Fame.
Hodge, a United Power member, graduated from high school in Idalia, Colo., and prior to serving as an Adams County Commissioner, she served in the Colorado State Legislature in both the House and Senate. Whitmore graduated from high school in Haxtun, Colo. and has been with United Power for 31 years. He has served the community on the Thornton City Council, Brighton Economic Development Council, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce Board and Government Affairs Committee, Northeastern Junior College Alumni Association and the Colorado 4-H and Colorado FFA Foundations.
The Alumni of the Plains award was established eleven years ago to recognize individuals who graduated from a high school in one of the 15 counties in Northeast Colorado, and who have excelled in their profession. Progressive 15 (Pro 15) is the collective voice of 15 counties in Northeast Colorado—advocating for legislation and policy that impact the economic vitality of the region.
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Home Appliances: 6 Ways to Save
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Friday | February 25, 2022
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Take some easy steps to save on the operation of your appliances, or boost your savings with a new appliance rebate from your co-op.
Our appliances make life easier and help tackle the manual tasks of housework, but there’s a cost to this convenience. Many newer models are designed to be energy efficient, but why not take measures that will help you save even more energy and money?
Run a full load. Wash clothes and dishes with a full load only; partial loads waste energy and water. Load your dishwasher according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the racks completely to maximize water and energy use but allow for adequate water circulation to ensure clean dishes.
Stay cool and fresh. Set refrigerator and freezer thermostats at the recommended temperature settings: 37°F to 40°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. It will help optimize energy savings while keeping foods fresh.
Stock the fridge. A fully stocked unit uses less energy because there is less air to cool. Avoid overfilling; too many items packed together closely will reduce air circulation.
Keep your dryer dry. Clean the lint filter after each dryer load; this will increase air circulation and improve dryer efficiency. Inspect your dryer vent periodically to ensure that it's not blocked.
Air your clean laundry. When doing laundry, why not air-dry your clothes? It will reduce energy costs, and it may help to keep clothes looking new.
Get cooking efficiently. Use your microwave or toaster oven rather than the stovetop or oven. These smaller appliances often heat food more quickly, while using less energy. If you do use the stovetop, match the pan size to the burner size, and cover pots and pans.
Boost your Savings with an Energy Smart Rebate
Looking to upgrade to more efficient appliances? Replace older appliances with new ENERGY STAR®-certified efficient models. These products are the best of the best, delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation.
United Power members can boost their savings with rebates on a variety of ENERGY STAR® and select efficient electric appliances. View the complete menu of Energy Smart Rebates to reduce the cost your new appliance purchase.
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How to Modernize the Electric Grid: Rethinking Our Vision
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Monday | August 2, 2021
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Modernization of the electric grid should not be the singular focus of spending in the United States, rather we should also be targeting our efforts and dollars at specific projects that will make the most immediate impacts.
Modernization of the electric grid should not be the singular focus of spending in the United States, rather we should also be targeting our efforts and dollars at specific projects that will make the most immediate impacts. Billions are spent every year on upgrading the system and adding intelligence to the grid and are always balanced against the impacts on rates and customers. Even with unlimited checkbooks on transmission – California and Texas are great examples – system issues can occur.
As a country, we should dream big but equally critical are to make improvements that can have an immediate impact on improving the nation’s infrastructure. The vision of seven hundred and sixty-five megawatt lines crisscrossing the U.S. is a “BHAG” – big, hairy audacious goal – that should be pursued.
However, with even the simplest transmission project taking a decade or more, we should take some specific, short- and medium-term actions.
It is also important to realize while permitting is slow, money is currently available to invest in transmission. The hang up is in assuring the line will be used and commitments made to guarantee the offtake of power. In other words, if no demand backed by financial arrangements, no construction. So, what projects do I believe can and should be done today?
Rebuild the seven AC/DC ties between the Eastern and Western grid. At a cost of roughly thirty million, this project could be complete in less than eighteen months.
Expand the Mead Substation at Hoover Dam into a renewable energy hub. This project will take between twenty-four to thirty-six months to complete. It is at the base of the El Dorado Valley, connects to California, and is the ideal spot for a robust hub.
Complete the Intertie Project started in 1964. In forty-eight months or less, the two hundred and seventy-five miles of transmission could be built that would loop the Pacific Northwest across the west and into the Southwest Power Pool.
Widen our focus and fund technology that benefits the nation and not just a single region. Concentrate those efforts on grid cybersecurity, as well as advanced system sensing to anticipate and avoid issues.
Another key area is to create a cohesive national effort to enhance wildfire tools and technology, including the expansion of right-of-way tree clearing. Encourage or standardize the use of coated cables, especially in areas when undergrounding is limited by terrain or cost.
Create an incentive structure that supports our end goals for improvements in the grid. Pay higher incentives for the power solutions that are really needed: pay a higher rate of return for lines that serve grids wider than a single state, quit paying for redundant infrastructure, and guarantee offtake as a fundamental component of the incentive structure.
Create real markets that span time zones and weather conditions and empower those entities to support. This should also include an RTO to coordinate offshore wind and provide the trading and management platform.
Finally, recognize that transmission is best suited to fix the growing energy divide. The digital divide is often spoken of in our country when the energy divide is an even greater one to navigate for underserved or unserved communities. The “haves” can afford solar panels and storage, while the “have nots” are paying the price. The haves can create microgrids – which serve a purpose – but also serve to create a balkanized electrical system.
Our current business models hang on an engineering measurement – the kilowatt/megawatt hour paradigm. This paradigm is no longer valid when the haves can move their energy supply off the grid for a portion of the day while the have nots pay the carrying costs. We need to move beyond a simple engineering focus on our grid and the delivery of power and understand the far-reaching effects being created with our inherently uneven system.
The question to be asking is how can we effectively grow our grid to realize all the intrinsic potential, and bring all our citizens along to enjoy those benefits? Let us dream for the future and act for today.
This article recently appeared in August 2021 Public Utilities Fortnightly. Read the original article here.
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How to Use New Payment Kiosks
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Tuesday | December 10, 2019
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United Power has placed payment kiosks at two office locations this year.
United Power has payment kiosks at our Brighton, Coal Creek and Carbon Valley office locations. These easy-to-use and hassle-free kiosks accept cash, credit card or check payments. Cash and credit card payments made using a kiosk are applied to your account immediately, and accounts subject to disconnection are restored immediately upon payment.
To make a payment at one of these kiosks, bring your United Power account number and a form of payment.
Set Up Your Fast Pass for Quick Access
To make your transactions faster, there is an option to set up a “Fast Pass,” which will be prompted once you complete a successful transaction. You’ll create a 4-digit PIN and receive a printed barcode.
The next time you visit a United Power payment kiosk, select “Fast Pass” and quickly find your account with the barcode/PIN or the phone number you used when setting up your Fast Pass.
Please be careful to enter the correct phone and account numbers when making a payment because your Fast Pass will reflect these numbers exactly as you input them.
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Industry Standard in System Reliability
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Monday | February 14, 2022
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Since altering its maintenance practices a few years ago, United Power’s reliability has significantly improved, as have its outage numbers.
United Power Consistently, Significantly Better than National Average
United Power understands the most important thing its members want is consistently reliable power. Being able to deliver uninterrupted power is prominently weighed in how the cooperative defines success each year. Since altering its maintenance practices a few years ago, United Power’s reliability has significantly improved, as have its outage numbers. Already an industry leader in automated field devices and other innovative projects, the cooperative is also trending well below the national average in utility outage times, setting yet another standard for others to emulate.
The national average for outage duration among electric utilities in the United States has consistently hovered around 120 minutes per meter. This means the average electric consumer can expect to experience approximately two hours of outage time at their home over the course of a year. When United Power’s operations team instituted a new data-driven maintenance plan in 2017, its average outage times resembled the national averages. In the four years following the plan’s launch, the cooperative’s outage times per meter have dropped below 70 minutes.
The new maintenance practice focuses on analyzing data collected across thousands of miles of line to isolate the worst performing segments. With these segments identified, targeted maintenance projects can be scheduled to improve their performance.
“When you target maintenance efforts at the worst performing parts of the system it improves reliability for members served off of it,” said Bryant Robbins, United Power’s Chief Operating Officer. “Maintenance is an ongoing process, but as long as we continue analyzing the data, isolating problem sections and targeting our maintenance efforts to improve them, it improves the whole system’s reliability and resilience.”
Devices on the system, such as enhanced technology in substations and advanced metering equipment, collect data and transfer it back to system operators. In the event of an outage, these devices can capture important information, such as time, location and sequence-of-events. Armed with this, lineworkers in the field can use the information to restore power to members more quickly, which also contributes to decreased outage times. Without this information, not only would identifying problematic areas be difficult, or even impossible, it would also create additional delays in power restoration as lineworkers inspect miles of line to find the cause.
Some system improvements have served dual functions. United Power recently published its comprehensive fire mitigation plan, which includes new standards and program initiatives primarily focused on areas of the territory that are particularly at risk of wildfires, such as Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyons. In December, storms blew through the territory with wind speeds in excess of 115 mph, including the storm that ultimately fueled the Marshall Fire. The cooperative activated its fire mitigation protocols during these windstorms, and due to proactive upgrades only experienced a few small outages.
“Our maintenance and system improvement efforts are already paying off for our members,” said Robbins. “Implementing this new maintenance plan has been effective and is proving its value. It’s hard to estimate how many outages you’ve prevented when you don’t have them, but our proactive efforts have gone a long way in helping prevent and/or quickly resolving outages.”
Regardless of the size or length of outage, United Power is continually investigating what causes them and how it can implement new practices to decrease their impact to members and duration. From system redundancies allowing the cooperative to restore power from a secondary location while repairs are being made to deploying an industry-leading number of automated devices, improving system reliability is one of United Power’s core goals.
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Is Your Contact Info Up to Date?
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Thursday | January 16, 2020
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Check your information to make sure you're getting important updates from your co-op.
United Power has been using recorded phone messages to let members know when a preplanned outage has been scheduled in their area for maintenance work. As new software becomes available, the cooperative may have more options to send important communications to members electronically.
Electronic communications are tied to individual member accounts and use the phone numbers and/or email addresses the cooperative has on record. If the contact information on record isn’t up-to-date or is entered incorrectly, you may be missing out on important notifications from United Power.
You can check your contact information and make necessary updates using the free online payment portal, SmartHub. To set up an online account, go to www.unitedpower.com and click on Online Account Services under My Account. Contact information can also be updated by calling the Member Services Team at 303-637-1300.
