ComEd System Improvements Help to Prepare for Winter Weather
November 11 2014 - 12:52PM
Business Wire
Utility readies itself for snow and ice, offers
customers more ways to manage their electric bills
As forecasters predict another winter of extreme cold and snow,
ComEd’s system and process improvements are ensuring that the
electrical delivery grid is ready to serve customers all winter
long. This work includes inspecting and reinforcing aerial and
underground electrical equipment, substations and other facilities;
upgrading, replacing and repairing equipment; conducting emergency
response drills and other training for employees; and maintaining
and testing of critical computer and support systems.
“Last winter’s polar vortex was a triple threat with snow, wind
and cold but storm hardening and smart grid improvements meant
reliable power for our customers,” said Terence R. Donnelly, ComEd
executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We are
continuing to make improvements that will help ensure our delivery
system, and our customers, are prepared for the winter season
ahead.”
In 2012, ComEd formed a storm task force and has made more than
60 enhancements to its storm restoration process. These
enhancements included GPS and mobile dispatch technology to more
efficiently manage crews to expedite restoration, a mobile
operations center to bring ComEd closer to customers in hardest hit
areas, and more efficient management of contractor crews. ComEd is
continuing to build on these process improvements, with new areas
of focus this year including an enhanced damage assessment process,
better coordination of vegetation management crews and improved
material staging to ensure readiness during severe weather. Over
the past two years, process improvements already in place have
resulted in a 30 percent improvement in restoration time.
“In addition to technology upgrades on our system, we also are
continually reviewing processes and making improvements to ensure
that our people are prepared to respond quickly, efficiently and
safely to restore power in the event of a significant winter
storm,” said Donnelly.
ComEd also offers the following tips to help customers safely
prepare their homes for winter weather, manage their energy usage
and reduce electricity costs.
- Set your thermostat up to 10 degrees
lower during the winter, when you leave your home and before going
to sleep. You could save up to 15% a year on heating and cooling
costs.
- Check your HVAC filter every month. If
the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. A dirty filter
will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you
warm thus wasting energy.
- Replace incandescent holiday lights
with LEDs (lighting emitting diode). LEDs typically consume about
50% less energy and can last up to 10 times longer. They’re also
more durable, shock-resistant and generate less heat compared to
traditional incandescent light strands.
- Inspect the caulking and
weather-stripping around all windows, doors and openings for
utility services, replacing as necessary. Also, check ducts that
move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner,
or heat pump, which are often big energy wasters. Sealing and
insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and
cooling system by as much as 20%.
- Take advantage of the home energy
savings available through the ComEd Smart Ideas® Energy Efficiency
Program. Get a free home energy assessment; receive rebates on
weatherization and AC replacements, and save instantly with
in-store discounts on CFLs, LEDs and more.
ComEd also wants to help its customers who may be struggling to
pay their electricity bills. The company offers financial
assistance programs for customers who qualify, including:
Residential Special Hardship grants, C.H.A.M.P. (ComEd Helps Active
Military Personnel) and Non-Profit Special Hardship programs, as
funds are available. ComEd also offers gift certificates in time
for the holiday season so customers can help friends or family
members pay their bills.
For more information about these and other programs, customers
in Chicago and Cook County can call 1-800-571-2332. More contact
information by county is available at ComEd.com/CARE or by phone at
1-888-806-CARE (2273).
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based
Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive
energy provider, with approximately 6.6 million customers. ComEd
provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across
northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For
more information visit ComEd.com, and
connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
ComEd Media Relations312-394-3500
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