AKRON, Ohio, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s
(NYSE: FE) distribution and transmission system is prepared to
meet the anticipated increase in customer electricity usage
associated with summer's first heat wave expected to spread across
the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions by the end of the week.
"Our comprehensive system inspections and maintenance programs
help ensure system reliability when temperatures climb to 90
degrees and customers depend on us to stay comfortable," said
Samuel Belcher, senior vice
president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy
Utilities. "From western Ohio to the New
Jersey shore, our electric system is designed and maintained
to operate safely and effectively even in extreme weather
conditions."
The inspections include using "thermovision" cameras to capture
infrared images that can detect potential problems with electrical
equipment in substations and on poles. By identifying hot
spots, maintenance and repairs can be conducted prior to a power
outage occurring. Helicopter patrols also are used to inspect
FirstEnergy transmission lines in advance of the high-demand summer
season.
With the extended hot weather coinciding with the Fourth of July
holiday, FirstEnergy utilities are reviewing staffing levels and
hot weather operational procedures to ensure any localized power
outages caused by the excessive heat are handled promptly.
Company employees also are receiving briefings about what steps
they can take to stay safe on the job when the heat index rises due
to the hot and humid conditions. Proper hydration, enhanced
situational awareness, adjusting work schedules and paying close
attention to the condition of fellow employees on the job site are
some of the steps that are taken to prevent heat exhaustion or
other heat-related illnesses.
FirstEnergy's utilities also offer some common-sense hot weather
tips customers can follow to stay comfortable while using
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 percent less energy during the hottest summer
days.
- During sunny weather, close drapes or blinds on windows facing
the sun to prevent direct radiant heating from impacting interior
temperatures.
- Use fans – moving air cools skin faster, resulting in greater
comfort on hot days.
- Use a programmable thermostat to keep temperatures higher when
no one is home, and to reduce the temperature before arrival back
home.
- Only operate window air conditioners when someone is in the
room.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers as full as possible. Frozen or
cold items in the refrigerator help keep other items cool, reducing
the amount of work the refrigerator has to do to maintain a lower
temperature.
- Close rooms that aren't used regularly during the summer, and
close the air conditioning vents in those rooms, as well.
- Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the hottest hours
of the day. The less heat produced at home, the less work the air
conditioner will do.
- Consider investing in ENERGY STAR® appliances or heating,
ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. FirstEnergy's
utilities may offer rebates on these purchases and tax deductions
may apply, as well.
- Check air conditioner and furnace fan filters. Clogged filters
waste energy and money by forcing HVAC systems to work harder than
necessary.
Other FirstEnergy summer safety tips are available at:
www.firstenergycorp.com/safety.
FirstEnergy utilities include: Ohio Edison, The Illuminating
Company and Toledo Edison in Ohio;
Jersey Central Power & Light in New
Jersey; Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed), Pennsylvania
Electric Company (Penelec), Pennsylvania Power (Penn Power), and
West Penn Power in Pennsylvania;
Mon Power in West Virginia; and
Potomac Edison in Maryland.
In addition, if summer storms result in downed wires it is
important to avoid the area and immediately call FirstEnergy.
If you see a downed power line, always assume it is live and
dangerous and follow these steps. Report downed power lines
immediately by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877). Extra
caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be
tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.
For updated company information, including hot weather tips,
customers are urged to visit the 24/7 Power Center at
www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. The utility companies also
will provide updates via Twitter:
- Ohio Edison: @OhioEdison
- The Illuminating Company: @IlluminatingCo
- Toledo Edison: @ToledoEdison
- Mon Power: @MonPowerWV
- JCP&L: @JCP_L
- Penn Power: @Penn_Power
- Penelec: @Penelec
- Met-Ed: @Met_Ed
- Potomac Edison: @PotomacEdison
- West Penn Power: @W_Penn_Power
FirstEnergy is dedicated to 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 more than 24,000 miles
of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or
online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.