Company offers tips for customers to manage
rising temperatures and energy costs
WILLIAMSPORT, Md., June 8, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of increased electric use along
with the potential for seasonal storms, Potomac Edison, a
subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is completing equipment
inspections, preventive maintenance and tree-trimming work across
its Maryland service territory to
help reduce potential weather-related outages and improve
reliability for customers this summer.
"The proactive inspections and maintenance we conduct are a key
part of improving service reliability and keeping our customers
comfortable as temperatures rise this summer," said Linda Moss, president of FirstEnergy's
Maryland operations. "Running air
conditioners and fans to stay cool during the summer months creates
extra pressure on the electric grid, and our preparation work helps
ensure a safe and constant flow of electricity."
Helicopter crews have inspected more than 590 miles of
transmission lines located in Potomac Edison's Maryland service territory. The inspections
are designed to look for damaged wire, broken crossarms, failed
insulators and other hardware problems not visible from the ground.
Potential reliability issues identified during the inspection will
be prioritized and addressed as quickly as possible.
On the ground, Potomac Edison personnel inspected approximately
80 substations earlier this spring and completed needed repairs
prior to the summer. Thermovision cameras were used to capture
infrared images that can reveal potential problems with equipment.
By identifying hot spots, maintenance and repairs can be completed
before a power outage occurs. WATCH: FirstEnergy uses
infrared thermography to enhance service reliability.
Crews also conducted thorough inspections along neighborhood
power lines and focused on more than 450 line capacitors in
Maryland that maintain proper
electric voltage. These devices are especially useful in remote
locations because they automatically adjust voltage levels to
accommodate changing system conditions.
To help minimize the impact of tree-related damages during
severe weather, tree contractors plan to clear vegetation along
approximately 1,100 miles of power lines in 2023 to help enhance
electric service reliability for Potomac Edison customers in
Maryland. They have already
completed that work along around 500 miles of power lines this
spring.
As part of the company's investment in vegetation management
this year, trees have been inspected and pruned in a manner that
helps preserve the health of the tree while maintaining safe
clearances near electrical equipment. In some cases, trees that
present a danger or are diseased may be removed. Similar work
will be performed along hundreds of miles of the company's
high-voltage transmission power lines in Maryland.
With the summer storm season also comes higher-than-usual
temperatures and rising energy costs. Customers can take steps to
beat the heat while also managing their electricity bill this
summer. The following tips can help customers use electricity
wisely during this period of high demand:
- Set thermostats as high as comfort will allow. Every degree a
customer can increase the temperature in their home will result in
using about 3% less energy during the summer.
- Use fans – moving air cools skin faster, resulting in greater
comfort on hot days.
- During sunny weather, close drapes or blinds on windows facing
the sun to prevent direct radiant heating from impacting interior
temperatures.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to keep temperatures
higher when no one is home and to reduce the temperature before
arrival back home.
- Seal any leaks with caulk or weather stripping to prevent hot
air from sneaking into your home.
- Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters. Clogged filters
waste energy and money by forcing HVAC systems to work harder than
necessary.
- Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours
of the day. The less heat produced at home, the less work the air
conditioner must do.
- Payment arrangements and assistance programs are available for
customers who need help with their electric bills. For more
information, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.
Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in all or parts of
Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties in Maryland and about 151,000 customers in the
Eastern Panhandle of West
Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison
at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
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.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.