FAIRMONT, W.Va., Nov. 29,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With cold weather ahead, Mon
Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is conducting
inspections and maintenance to help keep power flowing to customers
in its West Virginia service area
this winter.
"Our customers are counting on safe, reliable power to keep them
comfortable in the months ahead, and it's essential that we take
proactive steps to ensure that our system and our utility vehicles
are well prepared for the challenges of winter weather," said
Jim Myers, president of
FirstEnergy's West Virginia
operations.
Mon Power utility personnel are inspecting substation equipment
and winterizing substation control buildings to ensure that
essential components of its system continue to function properly
during cold weather.
Electricians also inspect critical components using special
thermovision cameras, which capture infrared images that can reveal
potential problems that aren't visible through regular visual
inspections. The infrared technology can identify equipment issues
such as loose connections and corrosion, for example, and utility
workers are able to make repairs to prevent potential power outages
in the future.
Tree trimming throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of
winter operations by maintaining proper clearances around
electrical systems and helping to protect against tree-related
outages caused by snow, high winds and ice. Mon Power tree
contractors expect to complete trimming along more than 5,200 miles
of power lines in 2022.
Additionally, company bucket trucks and other vehicles are being
inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season.
The condition of tires and air braking systems, which can freeze up
if moisture is present, are carefully examined. In addition, the
company ensures snow removal equipment is on hand so that employees
can safely access work sites and company facilities.
At its regulated power plants, Fort Martin Power Station and
Harrison Power Station, Mon Power
has completed maintenance on plant equipment and executed its
winterization plan to ensure optimal performance during the winter
months.
Customers can review tips to prepare in advance of severe
weather, and view restoration updates if storms do cause power
outages, by visiting FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center
at www.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:
- Set thermostats as low as comfort will allow. Every degree a
customer can decrease the temperature in their home will result in
using about 3 percent less energy during the winter.
- 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.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to keep temperatures
lower when no one is home and to increase the temperature before
arrival back home.
- 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 www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at
www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
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 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and
on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections
to enhance service reliability for FirstEnergy's utility
customers are available for download on Flickr. Videos of utility
personnel conducting a thermovision inspection can be found on
the company's YouTube channel.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mon-power-completing-winter-readiness-inspections-and-maintenance-to-keep-power-flowing-safely-and-reliably-to-customers-301689446.html
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.