Companies offer tips for customers to
manage seasonal heating bills
GREENSBURG, Pa., Dec. 12,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE)
Pennsylvania utilities – Met-Ed,
Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power – are completing equipment
inspections and maintenance to help keep power flowing to customers
to keep them safe and comfortable during the chilly months
ahead.
Scott Wyman, president of
FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania
operations: "Our winter preparations focus on readying our
electric distribution and transmission systems to safely deliver
electricity to our customers when they need it most to stay warm.
By working proactively to safeguard our power infrastructure and
prepare our utility vehicles and personnel, we will be better
positioned to respond to the challenges presented by winter's
freezing temperatures, windstorms and snowstorms."
Substation electricians inspect critical components
using thermovision cameras, which capture infrared images
of equipment to detect potential problems that are not visible
during regular visual inspections. The infrared images show heat on
a color scale, with brighter colors or "hot spots" indicating loose
connections, corrosion or other problems that require repairs.
Utility workers can then proactively repair substation equipment to
help prevent power outages as customers crank up their heaters to
combat the cold.
Some larger substations have buildings that house
remote-controlled equipment that require a climate-controlled
environment to function properly. Crews winterize those control
buildings and ensure their heating systems are ready for the
season.
Helicopter inspections are being completed on approximately
6,400 miles of transmission lines located across FirstEnergy's
entire Pennsylvania footprint. The
inspections are designed to look for damaged wire, broken cross
arms and other hardware problems invisible from the ground.
Potential reliability issues identified during the inspection may
then be addressed.
Tree trimming throughout the year also helps reinforce the power
system ahead of the winter season by maintaining proper clearances
around electrical equipment and helping to protect against
tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet
snow on branches. FirstEnergy's tree contractors have completed
trimming work along about 11,000 miles of transmission and
distribution power lines this year across Pennsylvania to help prevent or minimize the
impact of tree-related service disruptions.
Additionally, bucket trucks and other vehicles are inspected to
ensure they are safe and able to function in freezing temperatures.
Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air
brakes, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow removal
equipment is also checked to ensure that crews can access
substations and that work areas and sidewalks at company facilities
are clear and safe.
Earlier this year, FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities conducted annual
tabletop storm drills as another way to help ensure reliable
electric service for customers. The drills are designed to prepare
employees assigned to storm restoration duties and review
restoration processes and storm-management tools critical to safely
and quickly getting the lights back on after damage caused by
severe weather.
Cold Weather Tips for Customers
Customers can review tips to prepare in advance for severe
weather, and view restoration updates if storms do cause power
outages, by visiting FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center
at firstenergycorp.com/outages.
With the winter storm season also comes frigid temperatures and
rising energy costs. Customers can take steps to keep their homes
comfortable while managing their electricity bill this cold season.
The following tips can help customers use electricity wisely during
this period of high demand:
- Seal any leaks around windows and door frames with caulk or
weather stripping to prevent cold air from sneaking into your
home.
- Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use to keep cold
air out.
- Close the drapes at night. During the day, only open those that
receive direct sunlight.
- Check furnace fan filters. Clogged filters waste energy and
money by forcing a heating system to work harder than
necessary.
- Make sure your home is properly insulated. If you have less
than six inches of insulation, you'll benefit by adding more.
- Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for
customers who need help with their electric bills. For more
information, visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Met-Ed serves approximately 587,000 customers within 3,300
square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on X, formerly
known as Twitter, @Met Ed and on Facebook at
facebook.com/MetEdElectric.
Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600
square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on X @Penelec and
on Facebook at facebook.com/PenelecElectric.
Penn Power serves more than 160,000 customers in all or parts of
Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in western Pennsylvania. Follow Penn Power on
X @Penn_Power, on Facebook at facebook.com/PennPower, and
online at pennpower.com.
West Penn Power serves approximately 737,000 customers in 24
counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn Power on X
@W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at facebook.com/WestPennPower.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and
follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of FirstEnergy's utilities'
winter inspection and maintenance program are available for
download on Flickr. A video of utility personnel conducting a
thermovision inspection and explaining the work can be found on the
company's YouTube channel.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.