EPB has launched its own ap that allows its customers to keep up with power usage in detail.
The ap also warns a customer if the power goes off. When it comes back on, the customer gets notified.
David Wade, EPB president, said it also alerts the customer when there is unusual usage.
He said EPB technicians can then check out the homeowner's problem, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars in charges.
In one case, he said, it was found that a valve was stuck on the central heating unit, causing it to be running the heat and cold at the same time.
The detailed look at power usage also includes a comparison to the previous year.
Mr. Wade said some additional features are being planned for the ap. One would advise customers on when to expect their power back on in the event of an outage.
He said the ap was partially developed by EPB staff and partially by an outside vendor.
EPB officials said, "The MyEPB App is available at no charge for use with iOS and Android mobile devices. It puts advanced mobile technology in the palm of customers’ hands with access to real-time smart grid data about outages, energy use, billing estimates and more. You can also view the outage maps to see what areas are experiencing outages and where repairs are in progress. You can even set alerts to notify you when your power bill has reached a certain threshold or when an unusual power usage pattern may indicate that you need to repair your home’s HVAC or hot water heater."
“The new MyEPB App puts the power of the Smart Grid in the palm of your hand,” said Andy Campbell, EPB Assistant Vice President of Strategic Systems who led the development effort. “Whether you’re reporting a power outage or just want to get a better understanding of your energy use, the MyEPB App offers an easy to use interface with lots of valuable information.”
To get the free app, simply go to the Apple App Store or Google Play and search “MyEPB.” After downloading, customers can either login using the same credentials you use when logging in onwww.epb.com, or if you don’t have an EPB user name and password, simply click the “Register” tab on the lower left side of the screen.
For questions or support setting up the MyEPB app, customers can call EPB 24/7 at 423-648-1EPB(1372).