Companies offer tips for customers to
manage seasonal heating bills
AKRON,
Ohio, Dec. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the
cold-weather months expected to produce higher electric use,
FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiaries Ohio Edison, The
Illuminating Company and Toledo Edison have completed inspections
and maintenance to help keep power flowing to customers in their
Ohio service areas as temperatures
drop this winter.
Pat Mullin, acting president
of FirstEnergy's Ohio
operations: "Completing inspections and equipment
maintenance now can help enhance system reliability to keep power
flowing to customers when severe winter weather strikes. This work
complements the smart grid investments made across our Ohio service area in the past three years,
including the installation of new equipment and technology in
dozens of communities we serve, to help prevent power outages or
minimize their impact when they do occur."
In recent months, FirstEnergy field personnel have inspected
substation equipment and winterized substation control buildings to
ensure that crucial components of its system continue to function
properly during cold weather.
Helicopter inspections have been completed on nearly 7,200 miles
of high-voltage transmission lines owned by FirstEnergy
transmission subsidiaries across the company's entire Ohio footprint. The inspections are designed
to detect early-stage equipment issues not visible from the ground.
Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections
are addressed.
On the ground, electricians inspected power lines, transformers
and other electrical equipment using 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.
Additionally, tree trimming around electrical equipment
throughout the year also helps meet the rigors of winter
operations. Maintaining proper clearances around electrical systems
helps to protect against tree-related outages caused by snow, high
winds and ice. FirstEnergy's tree contractors have completed
trimming along 6,500 miles of power lines in Ohio this year to help prevent or minimize the
impact of tree-related outages.
Lastly, company bucket trucks and other vehicles are frequently
inspected to help ensure safe operation during the winter season.
Special emphasis is placed on the condition of tires and air
braking systems, which can freeze up if moisture is present. Snow
removal equipment is also checked.
Beyond infrastructure maintenance, FirstEnergy employees also
participated in readiness exercises and drills throughout the year
to test the company's restoration process used to address winter
storm-related power outages. Storm drills are becoming more common
in the utility industry in response to severe weather that has
occurred over the last several years.
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.
Ohio Edison serves more than
one million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on X,
formerly known as Twitter, @OhioEdison, on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison and online
at ohioedison.com.
The Illuminating Company serves 750,000 customers across
Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake
and Lorain counties. Connect with
The Illuminating Company at illuminatingcompany.com, on
X @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook
at facebook.com/IlluminatingCo.
Toledo Edison serves nearly
315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on
X @ToledoEdison, on Facebook at facebook.com/ToledoEdison
and online at toledoedison.com.
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 firstenergycorp.com and on X,
formerly known as 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.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.