The Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc.

September 2019Power Line

3040-26304

Cut costs, simplify chores with apps

Today’s smart home has blossomed to near Jetson-esque capabilities.

While gadgets and technologies continue to evolve, mobile apps are taking the lead. Here are a few that can add convenience to your life and also help you lower your electric bill.

SMART THERMOSTATS: They were the first smart devices to become mainstream, and geofencing is one of the best enhancements for energy efficiency in this category. Link your smart thermostat to your smartphone, set a radius around your home, and whenever you cross that boundary, your thermostat goes into away or return mode, depending on which way you are heading.

SMART SECURITY: Smart door locks were the first entrants in this category. More recently, video doorbells have entered the fray where you can see who is at the door from anywhere in the world. Wireless

Call before you dig to avoid costly mistakes

Planning to work on an outdoor project? Careless digging poses a threat to people, pipelines and underground facilities.

Here are five easy steps for safe digging:

1. NOTIFY: Call 8-1-1 or make a request online at www.sunshine811.com two to three days before your work begins. The operator will notify the utilities affected by your project.

2. WAIT: Wait two to three days for affected utilities to respond to your request. They will send a locator to mark any underground utility lines.

3. CONFIRM: Confirm that all affected utilities have responded to your request by comparing the marks to the list of utilities the 8-1-1 call center notified.

4. RESPECT: Respect the markers provided by the affected utilities. The markers are your guide for the duration of your project.

5. DIG CAREFULLY: If you can’t avoid digging near the markers (within 18-24 inches on all sides, depending on state laws), consider moving your project location.

cameras have also dropped in price, allowing you to canvass your home and property to keep an eye on things anywhere.

SMART SMOKE AND CO SENSORS: These are key in the safety sector, with the capability of sending alerts to your phone, allowing remote status checks and silencing alarms from the app — all without sacrificing that awful, ear-splitting alert.

SMART APPLIANCES: Refrigerators with cameras allow you to check for needed items while at the grocery store, and dryers sense when electric use is highest and they turn off. Even HVAC systems, including window air conditioners, are sporting mobile apps.

There is not a huge amount of automation for stoves and cooktops. Controlling the appliances remotely seems too dangerous unless the feature is to turn it off. In that case, chalk up another one for peace of mind by resolving that nagging vacation worry, “Did I turn the stove off?”

SMART LIGHTING: Motion detector smart lights ensure that remembering to flip the light switch is a thing of the past. When they first came to market, motion detectors were expensive, but today they’re accessible to everyone. Consider smart lights that work in conjunction with a motion detector system. The systems can save you more than 35 percent of your current light bulb energy usage. Instead of worrying about turning your lights on and off, let the detectors do it for you.

If motion detector lights aren’t your thing, some smart light brands offer the ability to control your light bulbs from your smartphone and set on/off schedules. Simply sync your lights to their companion app and you’re ready for home control. Remote systems are especially useful if you’re worried about coming home to a dark house.

APPSContinued from front

Continued on back panel

28 students awarded scholarships

C lay Electric Cooperative has awarded $1,500 scholarships to 28 high school seniors (Class of 2019) whose primary residences are

served by the co-op.The recipients of the scholarships were determined by an outside

panel of judges based on academic achievements, an essay, community and school activities, and letters of recommendation. More than 200 scholarship applications were received.

“We’re glad we can help these fine young men and women with their college expenses,” said Chief Public Relations Officer Derick Thomas.

The scholarship recipients (pictured if photo was provided) are: Haley Wadsworth of Middleburg High School; Jacie Rae Ankrom of Orange Park High School; Ansley Bilyeu of Fleming Island High School; Alexis Nicole Stilianou of Clay High School; Neven McBay of Palatka High School; Ellisa Bevahia of Ridgeview High School; Caleb

Cushman of Keystone Heights High School; Hailey Eaton of Lake Weir High School; Benjamin Smith of Newberry High School; Jarrett Kelley of Interlachen High School; Jacob Zecher of Columbia High School; Alexandria Baughns of Oakleaf High School; Annabelle Ha of Eastside High School; Ally Richardson of Baker County High School; Oluwaseyi A. Olabige of P.K. Yonge DRS; Naomi Murray of Union County High School; Maxus Vidal of Fort White High School; Kadyn Elixson of Santa Fe High School; Alexander Babcock of North Marion High School; Baleigh Swenney of Gainesville High School; Elsie Falstreaux of Bradford High School; Kayla Nilson of Forest High School; John Samuels Lingg of Q.I Roberts High School; Caleb Bell of Clay Virtual Academy; Tatiana King of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts; Autumn Glaser of Buchholz High School; Ashley Moore of Umatilla High School; and Nick Rogers of St. Johns Country Day School.

Ankrom Babcock Baughns Bell Cushman Elixson Falstreaux Glaser

Ha Kelley King Lingg McBay Moore Olabige Rogers

Vidal Wadsworth

 Power Line is an informational publication of Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. It is distributed monthly with members’ billing statements. If you have questions or comments about Power Line, write Editor Justin Caudell at P.O. Box 308, Keystone Heights, FL 32656; or email: Jcaudell@clayelectric.com. ClayElectric.com offers online services such as payments, and information about the co-op’s programs and services. Clay Electric’s Board of Trustees will meet at noon on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 24 in Keystone Heights.

ZecherSmith