Company offers tips for customers to manage
seasonal heating bills
FAIRMONT, W.Va., Dec. 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- With colder months expected to produce higher
electric use, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric companies
Mon Power and Potomac Edison have completed inspections and
maintenance across their West
Virginia service areas to help support electric system
reliability as temperatures drop this winter.
Jim Myers, Vice President of
FirstEnergy's West Virginia Operations: "Ensuring our system is
well-prepared for the challenges of winter weather is crucial.
These proactive steps will help us provide safe and reliable power
to keep our customers comfortable in the coming months."
Mon Power and Potomac Edison personnel inspected substation
equipment and winterized substation control buildings to ensure
that essential components of its system continue to function
properly during cold weather.
Electricians also inspected 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 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 and Potomac
Edison tree contractors expect to complete trimming along 6,800
miles of power lines by the end of this year.
FirstEnergy explains a new vegetation management tool and
how it's being used across the company's footprint in a video clip
on the company's YouTube channel.
Additionally, company bucket trucks and other vehicles have been
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, were 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.
Cold Weather Tips for Customers:
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.
- 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
mon-power.com, on X @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at
facebook.com/MonPowerWV.
Potomac Edison serves about 155,000 customers in the Eastern
Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow
Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on X @PotomacEdison,
and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving more than six million 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 X
@FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of workers conducting inspections
to enhance service reliability for FirstEnergy's customers are
available for download on Flickr. Videos of company personnel
conducting a thermovision inspection can be found on the
company's YouTube channel.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
