Understanding electric equipment responsibilities
As July rolls in with rising temperatures, it also brings the increased potential for severe weather. Summer storms can arrive quickly and hit hard, sometimes causing significant damage to essential electric equipment throughout our community.
Y-W Electric Association is always prepared to respond swiftly to outages and restore power safely, but it is also important for homeowners to understand which parts of the electric system are their responsibility and which are maintained by us at the co-op. Understanding these key differences can help speed up repairs and ensure everyone stays safe when the weather turns rough.
Y-W Electric is responsible for maintaining and repairing the equipment and lines that run to your home, including utility poles, distribution power lines, electric meters, and transformers.
Y-W Electric members are responsible for the equipment located between the electric meter box and your home or business, including any underground service lines that lead into the structure from the service panel.
If any equipment that you — the homeowner — are responsible for is damaged, please call a licensed electrician to conduct the repairs. A professional has the experience and know-how to assess and manage these types of repairs.
When severe weather damages electrical equipment, it’s important to note that any necessary repairs to the homeowner’s equipment must be conducted before Y-W Electric crews can restore power to your home or business. By understanding the equipment you are responsible for, the repair and restoration process will be smoother and faster.
Our community takes great pride in the beautiful trees and landscaping that contribute to the natural beauty where we live, however, regular trimming is essential to ensure reliable electric service and minimize damage from severe weather. Our crews regularly trim trees throughout our service territory to improve service reliability. If you spot a tree limb that is obstructing a distribution power line outside your home, please call Y-W Electric so we can trim those limbs and maintain those lines.
Any overgrown limbs or vegetation around member-owned service lines are the homeowner’s responsibility, and in these cases, please call a professional tree trimming service to assist.
By working together to understand the essential equipment that powers daily life, we can all be better prepared to start the repair and restoration process if severe weather impacts our community.
If you have any questions about your electrical equipment, we’re here to help. Please contact Y-W Electric at 970-345-2291.
Win $20 OFF YOUR ELECTRIC BILL
Each month, Y-W Electric Association offers its members a chance to earn a $20 credit on their next electric bill. If you find your name and account number in this magazine, call 800-660-2291 and ask for your credit. It couldn’t be easier.
Get acquainted with your account number, read your Colorado Country Life magazine, and pick up the phone. You must claim your credit during the month in which your name appears in the magazine — check the date on the front cover.
Congratulations to Michael Watson, Randy and Lori Arnold, and Roger Sharp — they saw their name in the May issue and called to receive a $20 bill credit.
Trent Loutensock is the General Manager of Y-W Electric Association. Y-W Electric Association, Inc. is dedicated to providing high quality, reliable electric service and related products to our members at competitive prices. Our members deserve and shall receive quality service unexcelled in our industry.
