FirstEnergy’s Ohio Utilities Complete Pre-Winter Inspections, Maintenance and Grid Modernization Work to Keep Power Flowing Safely and Reliably

Businesses supply clients recommendations on how to handle seasonal heating payments

AKRON, Ohio, November 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — As the chilly climate months are anticipated to end in elevated energy consumption, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) Ohio Utilities — Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison — have just lately accomplished inspections and carried out tools upkeep to enhance service reliability for purchasers as temperatures drop. The corporations additionally pack a couple of factor collectively 500 million {dollars} in sensible grid enhancements of their service areas, which started in 2020 underneath the unique grid improve plan authorized by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

“Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help improve system reliability to keep power flowing to customers during severe winter weather,” he stated Pat MullinActing President of FirstEnergy Ohio operations. “This work enhances latest investments in sensible grids throughout our enterprise Ohio service space, together with putting in new automated tools and expertise in dozens of communities we serve to forestall energy outages or decrease their influence after they happen.”

Helicopter inspections have been conducted on nearly 7,200 miles of high voltage transmission lines owned by FirstEnergy transmission subsidiaries throughout the company Ohio Footprint. The inspections are designed to detect early-stage equipment problems that are not visible from the ground. Any potential reliability issues identified during the inspections will be addressed.

Year-round tree pruning also helps strengthen the power system ahead of the winter season by maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment and helping protect against tree-related outages caused by the weight of ice and heavy, wet snow on branches caused. FirstEnergy’s utility tree companies have completed trimming work along more than 7,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines this year to date Ohioand they are on track to complete another 1,000 miles of pruning by the end of December.

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Proactive equipment inspections on the ground include the use of thermal vision cameras to capture infrared images of electrical equipment to identify potential problems in substations and on power lines that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. Infrared technology displays heat on a color scale, with lighter colors or “sizzling spots” indicating areas that need repair. These images can identify equipment problems such as loose connections, corrosion, and load imbalances, and utility workers can proactively make repairs to prevent potential power outages in the future.

Other winter prep work performed by FirstEnergy utility personnel includes inspections of electrical equipment along neighborhood power lines, such as:

Finally, the company’s shovel wagons and other vehicles are inspected to ensure safe operation during the winter season. Particular attention is paid to the condition of tires and air brake systems, which can freeze when wet. Snow clearing equipment is also checked.

In addition to maintaining infrastructure, FirstEnergy utility workers also participated in preparedness drills and drills throughout the year to test the company’s recovery process, which is used to deal with power outages associated with winter storms. Storm drills are becoming increasingly common in the utility industry in response to severe weather events that have occurred in recent years.

Customers can visit FirstEnergy’s 24/7 Power Center for tips on preparing for severe weather and recovery updates if storms cause power outages www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

With the winter storm season comes freezing temperatures and rising energy costs. Customers can take steps to keep their homes comfortable while managing their electricity bills during this cold season. The following tips can help customers use electricity wisely during this time of high demand:

• Set the thermostats as low as comfort allows. Every degree that a customer can lower the temperature in their home means they use about 3 percent less energy in the winter.

• Seal any leaks around windows and door frames with weatherstrip or weatherstripping to prevent cold air from entering your home.

• Close the chimney damper when not in use to keep cold air out.

• Close the curtains 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 raise the temperature before you get home.

• Check the oven 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 15cm of insulation, you can benefit by adding more.

• Payment agreements and utility programs are available for customers who need help with their utility bills. For more information visit www.firstenergycorp.com/billassist.

Ohio Edison serves more than a million customers in 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdisonon Facebook at www.fb.com/OhioEdison and on-line at www.ohioedison.com.

The Illuminating Company serves 750,000 clients throughout the nation Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, geauga, lake and Lorraine counties. Connect with The Illuminating Company at www.illuminatingcompany.com or on Twitter @IlluminatingCo and on Facebook at www.fb.com/IlluminatingCo.

Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in the Northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

FirstEnergy is committed to integrity, security, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 power distribution companies make up one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electrical systems and serve 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 connecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor’s note: Photos of workers conducting inspections to improve service reliability for FirstEnergy’s utility customers are available for download on Flickr. A video can be seen on the company’s YouTube channel of utility workers conducting a thermal vision inspection and explaining the job.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.