What is an Automatic Outage Notification (AON) device?
An AON device is a small electronic unit that plugs into a spare electrical outlet and a telephone jack in your home. It monitors the power to your home and when a power outage is detected, it calls to report the outage to Colorado Springs Utilities over your phone line. What is the advantage of having an AON device in my home?
The biggest advantage is that you no longer need to call us to report a power outage. Whether you are at home or are away, the AON device reports outages automatically. How does this benefit me?
If you ever have a power outage, we will be contacted immediately. This will enable us to respond more quickly and get your power back on faster. Is there any cost for the AON device?
No, it's free. However, not all homes require an AON device. We strategically locate these devices throughout the electrical distribution system to provide us with outage information. If a home in your area already has an AON device, we do not need to place a device in your home. Do I have to live in Colorado Springs to have an AON device?
Yes. You must have year-round electric service with Colorado Springs Utilities and you must have year-round phone service to have an AON device in your home. Why does Colorado Springs Utilities need the AON devices to know that the power is off?
The electrical distribution system contains many safety mechanisms such as fuses and breakers. When one of these mechanisms trips, it can turn off power to all buildings downstream from its location. Without something or someone to report it, we may be unaware of the problem. Is the AON device difficult to install?
No. One of our qualified representatives will set an appointment with you to install the AON device in your home. The representative will provide you with an AON fact sheet and answer your questions regarding the device. There is no charge for installation. How does the AON device call Colorado Springs Utilities?
When the AON device needs to make a call, it checks to see if the phone line is being used. If you are using the phone, the AON device won’t dial. You may hear a clicking sound while the device checks the phone line. If the phone line is available, the AON device will dial. Will it interfere with my normal phone usage?
Very little. The AON device only calls when there is a problem to report, plus a routine maintenance call to let us know it’s working. Most calls take about five to 10 seconds. If the AON device happens to be using the phone line when you need it, and you don’t want to wait for it to finish, you can press a button on the front of the AON device to cancel the call. Do the phone calls go on my phone bill?
No. All calls are free to you, unless you have metered telephone service. How will the AON device affect my modem?
Some high-speed modems may hang up when the AON device picks up the phone. So, if you use a modem often, the AON device could be an inconvenience for you. How can I tell that the AON device is working?
The AON device calls Colorado Springs Utilities for routine maintenance testing. If the AON device fails to call more than three times, we will contact you. What is the purpose of the button on the front of the AON device?
The button will cancel a call to Colorado Springs Utilities. If the AON device is calling us when you need to use the phone, you can either wait five to 10 seconds, or you can press the button on the front of the device to cancel the call. Where should the AON device be installed?
The ideal situation is to plug the AON device into an unused electrical outlet and an unused phone jack. The AON device should be out of the way so that it doesn’t get unplugged or knocked out of the outlet accidentally, although the device should still be accessible for the cancel call button. The device should not be plugged into a power strip, nor should it be plugged into the same outlet as a refrigerator, air conditioner, television, computer, or other large appliance. How much electricity does the AON device use?
The AON device uses less than one Watt. To put that in perspective, a nightlight uses seven Watts. The average cost for the AON device is approximately 50 cents per year. What is the purpose of the red light on the front of the AON device?
The red light confirms that the device is plugged into the power and that the power is on. The red light blinks once per second. The blink is very short and not easily seen in bright light. Will the AON device work with my home security system?
Some home security systems will prevent the AON device from calling out when there is an electrical outage. The security system will call its own control center first. This automatically disable the phone line and prevents us from receiving the call. Will it prevent power outages to my home?
No. It will let us know when there is a problem so that the problem can be solved faster. Can the AON device be moved once it’s installed?
Yes. If you move the AON device to a different electrical outlet, you must press the cancel call button on the front of the device after removing it from the outlet and plugging it in again. This will prevent the AON device from calling in a false report. Can I use this to protect a life support system?
No. The AON device is fine for routine calls, but because it depends on the phone system to call in a report, it is not considered reliable enough for critical systems. Is it required that I have the AON device in my home as long as I live here?
No. If you wish to discontinue the service, just call Springs Utilities to have the AON device removed. A representative will pick up the device at your convenience. | 
