Company offers tips for customers to manage
seasonal heating bills
HOLMDEL,
N.J., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey
Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE), has completed preventative maintenance and
inspections to reinforce the electric grid in its 3,200-square-mile
service region and help keep power flowing safely and reliably to
customers during the chilly winter months.
The work, which includes proactive assessment of key equipment,
vehicles and the environment surrounding the lines, ensures that
the system is ready for the increased demand brought on by colder
temperatures and heavy snow, ice and winds that can damage poles,
wires and substation equipment during winter storms.
Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's
President, New
Jersey: "JCP&L customers depend on safe,
reliable electric service to keep warm and comfortable during these
coldest months. While we've had a string of mild winters, we don't
know what Mother Nature has in store for us this year, and we are
making sure our system, our equipment and our team members are
ready for whatever comes our way."
Seasonal preparations included:
- Winterizing substation buildings that house remote-controlled
equipment.
- Tuning up heating equipment for substation components to ensure
cold weather doesn't lead to equipment malfunctions.
- Inspecting batteries used to power electrical devices that can
sense abnormal conditions in the system as well as the motors that
operate switches to isolate those problems.
- Conducting equipment inspections using high-tech thermal
imaging cameras to look for hardware problems and potential "hot
spots," or weakened areas in the lines.
- Inspecting transmission lines using a helicopter in areas not
visible from the ground.
- Servicing company bucket trucks and other vehicles to help
ensure safe operations during the winter season, with special
emphasis placed on the condition of tires and air braking systems,
which can freeze up if moisture is present.
- Inspecting snow chains and snow removal equipment to ensure
safe access to work sites.
Tree trimming throughout the
year also helps reinforce the power system ahead of
the winter season by maintaining proper clearances around
electrical equipment. JCP&L and its certified tree
contractors have trimmed trees along more than 3,100 miles of power
lines so far this year, with more than 300 additional miles
expected to be completed by the end of December.
Beyond infrastructure maintenance, JCP&L 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. With a core focus on safety, company
leadership also reviews cold-weather safety procedures with field
employees, including tips to traverse slippery conditions and help
ensure safe arrival at work sites. Crews are also reminded to
hydrate and take frequent breaks in warm trucks to avoid frostbite
and maintain sharp mental focus.
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.
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.
- 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.
- More energy efficiency tips as well as no-fee energy efficiency
kits, home energy analyzers and the details of JCP&L's other
regulated energy efficiency programs can be found
at energysavenj.com.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in New Jersey in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L, on Facebook at
facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.com.
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 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 on X
@FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com.
Editor's note: Photos of workers conducting inspections
to enhance service reliability for JCP&L customers are
available for download on Flickr.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
