Protect Your Home and Family from Cold Weather Problems
Both electric and natural gas demands could set new records
February 4, 2009
With hard freezing temperatures on the way, GRU is projecting that it will break the winter record for electric demand Thursday morning, February 5, and natural gas demand might also set a new record.
With every freeze, GRU receives calls from homeowners with houses flooded by broken pipes. Water pipes broken by freezing may not be apparent when you leave your home in the morning, but when the ice melts you could come home to a flooded house.
GRU advises customers to observe the following precautions for the comfort and safety of their families:
Water Pipe Safety
- Cover all exposed outside pipes with pipe insulation, thermal tape, cloth, or several layers of newspaper.
- Run a very slow but steady stream of running water.
- Disconnect and drain all hoses from outside faucets.
Natural Gas Safety
- If you smell a strong odor of gas in your home, gather everyone up and go outside to a safe location. Do not operate any electrical switches, and leave the door open on your way out. Call 911.
- Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector that meets UL standards. If your CO detector sounds an alarm, go outside immediately and call 911.
- Never use a gas oven to heat your house.
Electric Safety
- If you use a small space heater, check cords to make sure they are not frayed and check heater to make sure it is operating properly.
- Never operate a space heater near curtains or anything else that is flammable.
- Do not overload power strips beyond their ratings.
Cold Weather Energy and Money Saving Tips:
- The most important thing customers can do is set their thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. For each degree higher, your energy bills will increase by four percent.
- Wear warm clothing indoors and throw an extra blanket on the bed to stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings.
- Save up to 25 percent by simply caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows, outside doors, or where exterior walls, floors or ceilings are penetrated by plumbing, etc.
- More energy saving tips.
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