When the Power Goes Out
If your power goes out, take the following steps:
1
Check Your Electrical Panel First
Check your fuses or breakers first to make sure the problem is not with your own equipment.
2
Report Your Outage
SmartHub
By using our SmartHub app or through an online account. To learn more about SmartHub visit our Manage Your Online Account web page.
Phone
By calling (877) 744-1055 Please be ready to provide at least 1 of the following pieces of information when calling: phone number, account number, or meter number associated with the outage location.
Text
By texting “OUT” to (855) 938-3508
Note: Prior to using the text to report outages service you must meet the following requirements: Be a registered SmartHub user using a cell phone number associated with the SmartHub account that has been selected to receive text messages. (Message and data rates may apply).
How our outage system works: A power outage reported using our outage number is automatically matched to our computer database using the phone number you call from. If you’re not calling from the phone number in our system you can enter the number tied to your KEC account or you can enter your KEC account number and still be automatically matched. The location of the outage then lights up on a map. This is why it is beneficial for KEC to have on file the phone number you are most likely to call to report a power outage.
3
Get Outage Updates
Outage notifications are offered at no cost. Please be aware that power outage notifications are sent out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and some cell phone providers charge for text messages. To sign up, log in to your Kootenai Electric Cooperative account or download the SmartHub app.
How We Restore Power
1
A member reports an outage via SmartHub or the outage hotline.
2
This automatically triggers the Outage Management System (OMS) to communicate with the member’s meter to verify loss of power.
3
Simultaneously, OMS communicates with surrounding meters to determine if the outage is widespread.
4
The OMS uses device locations to predict where the power was interrupted for Kootenai Electric Cooperative operations staff to review and verify.
5
Once the outage area is verified, crews are dispatched to the appropriate location to identify the problem, make repairs, and restore power.
6
When the outage is restored, OMS communicates with the affected meters to confirm power has been restored.
