Whether it’s severe summer weather or a fallen tree, as soon as an outage is detected, Butler Electric is working to correct the problem. Thanks to more advanced technologies and our expe-rienced linemen, we can restore power outages faster than ever.

One of the biggest advancements in technology we are using is advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). These

smart meters allow for two-way communication and work by sending information back to the co-op’s operations center. This helps to distinguish between events that affect a single home or multiple outages, which is important because solving either issue is a very different process. The two-way communication also provides a way to verify that power has been restored after an outage.

Another technology is the outage management system (OMS), which can predict the location of the issue and how many consumer-members are impacted. When used with the AMI system, the OMS can be extremely useful in resolving an outage. The AMI collects and sends data, then the OMS analyzes the data using mathematical functions and models the electrical network to assess the impact of the outage.

While technology advancements are very useful, our most valuable tool is our experienced co-op staff. Our team of “outage detectives” are trained to safely restore your power as efficiently as possible. From the initial notification of an outage to restoration, we have procedures in place to manage the out-age time of our consumer-members.

Power outages are inevitable, but as technology continues to improve, disruptions are becoming shorter and easier to resolve and Butler is dedicated to using technologies and methods that make the most (dollars and) sense for our consumer-members.

216 S. Vine, El Dorado, KS800-464-0060

www.butler.coop

T H E E L E C T R I C CO M PA N Y T H AT D O E S N ’ T STO P AT YO U R M E T E R

NEWSF RO M T H E M A N AG E R

How Butler Employs ‘Outage Detectives’

R. Dale Short

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JULY 2019 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 16A

Save from 3-

6 p.

m.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? My wife, Tammy, and I have two daughters, Emily, 23, and Sydney, 20.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?Hunting, spending time with my family and playing with our 1-year-old grandson, Ryker.

WHO IS YOUR HERO OR MENTOR AND WHY? My father. He had a great work ethic and always said, “If you grit your teeth you can accomplish anything.”

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A LINEMAN? I went to Butler Community College on an ag scholarship, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. My dad suggested I become a lineman; I could work outside and there would always be new challenges. People look up to linemen. It is a job that very few can do and is very rewarding when you can restore electricity for members after an outage.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF OUTAGE YOU SEE? Five out of 10 outages are blown fuses on a transformer. This can be due to animals, overload, lightning or trees.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS A LINEMAN GOES THROUGH TO FIND AN OUTAGE? First, we call the member to make sure they have checked their breakers in the house. Once we confirm that is not the issue, we go to their residence and start looking at the electric line. We continue to work our way from the home checking transformers, electric line, trees touching lines and fuses until we find the problem.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON SEASON FOR OUTAGES? Springtime with thunderstorms; lightning usually knocks out fuses on transformers or lines.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU. I was a reserve patrol deputy for the Butler County Sheriff’s Department for five years while working as a lineman.

Your Questions Answered—OutagesB Y A L A N H A R P E R , C R E W C H I E F 2 6 Y E A R S A T B U T L E R

Alan Harper

Converting a ‘Dumb’ Home to a Smart One: Is it Worth it?Depending on your age, your techie factor or perhaps your interests, you may or may not be excited at the prospect of installing smart devices in your home. Becoming more and more a part of our vocabulary, having a “smart home” or even a semi-smart one can help make the many tasks we do each day less time consuming and more fun.

So what, exactly, are smart homes? They are houses that boast a number of interconnected devices and home appliances that perform certain actions or functions. Smart-home performance is often more efficient than the owner-operated kind, which could save money. Other high-tech, smarty-pants devices won’t save much on your utility bills but can increase your home’s cool factor.

Smart home automation allows you to program a variety of items ranging from a smart thermostat, lights, window blinds and even an automatic pet-feeding bowl (now if only smart automation could do dishes and make lunch).

If all your devices are interconnected, you can orchestrate them from one place on your tablet or cell phone. And if you have voice-assisted technol-

ogy, you can just use your words, and presto!—the coffee maker starts or your lights turn on or off.

In many upper-end markets, buy-ers can consider a new home that is already smart, but for the majority of homeowners it can cost in the thou-sands to upgrade an entire home with multiple smart devices. If your house has not yet arrived on the smart scene, there are ways to increase your home’s smart technology.

Examples include smart thermostats, gizmos that track energy use such as individual smart plugs or whole-house monitoring trackers to improve your energy “fitness”, and smart lighting that includes motion sensors and phone app controls.

Smart appliances and devices can save money because in many cases they allow you to use less energy. They’re also convenient, fun to use and can give you peace of mind. In short, some may be worth it in the long run.

And a new home that’s certified smart or even super intelligent? We can all dream, can’t we? For more information, visit SafeElectricity.org.

Join us to celebrate the dedication of

Pony Meadows July 25, 2019, at 10 a.m.

16502 SW 140th, Rose Hill, KS 67133

Please RSVP by July 15 to openhouse@butler.coop

RESCHEDULED | JULY 25, 2019, AT 10 A .M.

16B KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2019

N E W S F RO M B U T L E R E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

STAY INFORMED & WIN A $25 CREDIT!Butler Electric provides monthly energy saving tips with our bills each month as a bill stuffer and in this Kansas Country Living magazine. Each month, we will randomly select four account numbers to win a $25 bill credit. Two account numbers will be hidden on pages 16A to 16D of this magazine and two account numbers can also be found in the bill stuffer.

If you find your account number, you will have 30 days from the delivery of the magazine and bill stuffer to call our office at 800-464-0060 to claim your $25 bill credit.

1895

401

Let There Be Light AND Savings!

REPLACING your traditional lightbulbs with LEDS can save UP TO 80% on your cost for lighting. Combine that with decreasing energy usage FROM 3-6 P.M. and you can MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE on your energy bill.

Save from 3-

6 p.

m.

According to the Consumer Federation of America, LED lightbulbs can save homeowners an average of $1,000 over 10 years. LED lightbulbs last longer and are ultimately going to save you money.

Cut your demand even more by not operating electrical appliances—like dishwashers, dryers and ovens—between 3 and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

JULY 2019 KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING 16C

Struggling to stay cool? Let us help. Butler Electric is donating fans to our friends in need. Stop by our office during business hours.

Butler Electric216 S. Vine in El Dorado

Limit one fan per household. Supplies are

limited and the program will continue

as long as supplies last.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

N E W S F RO M B U T L E R E L E C T R I C CO O P E R AT I V E

16D KANSAS COUNTRY LIVING JULY 2019