In advance of winter, PECO employees have been hard at work ensuring the company’s natural gas and electric systems are ready to meet the increased demand throughout the heating season. This proactive effort also includes infrastructure work to strengthen the local energy grid to help prevent outages that cannot be prevented and to reinforce the grid against the impacts of severe winter storms.

PECO is investing approximately $9.3 billion during the next five years across its electric and natural gas systems to complete targeted system enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, inspect equipment, and perform necessary tree trimming and other vegetation management. Continued infrastructure investments will also help the company meet the growing energy demands of customers and support future growth and development. This investment includes PECO’s Reliability & Resiliency Plan, which outlines the investment of $1.36 billion on targeted reliability-focused electric system infrastructure investments through 2025.

Specific to PECO’s natural gas system, the company has inspected equipment, completed necessary repairs or replacements, performed preventative maintenance work, and installed additional natural gas main and service lines to bring natural gas service to new customers. The company continues to accelerate work to replace existing natural gas main and service lines with new plastic pipe, which enhances safety, is more durable, improves service, and reduces methane emissions. In 2024, PECO completed 292 projects to replace nearly 329,000 feet of existing natural gas lines.

PECO has also inspected more than 6,600 miles of aerial electric lines and 1,463 manholes to make any needed repairs to underground electric equipment. This seasonal readiness work helps proactively ensure that PECO’s system is ready for the upcoming winter months.

“Delivering safe, reliable, and resilient service every day is our top priority, and it’s even more important during extreme temperatures,” said Nicole LeVine, PECO’s Senior Vice President and COO. “We work to upgrade our systems year-round, so we can be prepared for colder temperatures and minimize the impacts of increasingly severe weather events.”

Just as PECO prepares its natural gas and electric systems for winter, customers should prepare, too. Heating systems should be checked now and inspected by a qualified technician to ensure safe and efficient operation for the season ahead. Customers also should take this time to inspect other natural gas appliances, like ovens, dryers, fireplaces, and hot water heaters, to ensure they remain safe and efficient.

PECO also encourages customers to stay safe and save on their energy bills with a number of resources:

Save Energy, Save Money

Increased energy use during the colder winter months can lead to higher bills. Customers are encouraged to use energy wisely, take steps to be more efficient, and take advantage of bill relief or assistance programs.

Energy efficiency programs, like energy assessments, can help customers save energy and money by identifying opportunities throughout a home. Learn more about PECO’s residential programs.

By following a few simple tips and making straightforward energy efficiency improvements now, customers could save 20 percent or more on their winter heating bills.

• Keep it sealed. A poorly sealed house is costlier to keep warm. Caulk around doors, windows, and any openings for utility services. Using the locks on your windows helps make a tighter seal that is more resistant to drafts. If you have a fireplace, keep your damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.
• Upgrade your insulation. Insulating your home can significantly reduce your heating costs, while also increasing the comfort of your home. Reducing air leaks — around floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, doors, windows, vents, and plumbing — could cut your home’s average monthly energy bill by 10 percent.
• Check ducts for air leaks. Look for joints that are no longer connected. Leaky ductwork can increase your energy bill significantly.
• Manage your thermostat. Keep thermostats set at a comfortable level. You can save about two percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. When you are asleep or out of the house, try turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours to save approximately 10 percent on your heating bill. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can connect to your mobile devices, helping you stay on top of your energy usage.
• Be prepared for cooler weather. Remove screens and air conditioners from windows and install storm windows.
• Do not heat unused areas. Close vents in unused rooms and shut doors to unused rooms, closets, and basements.
• Take advantage of the sun’s heat. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
• Shorter days and longer lights. Adjust outdoor lighting timers as the nights grow longer. Replace older incandescent bulbs with new energy efficient LED bulbs.

Storm Safety

While PECO works to prevent as many outages as possible, severe storms can cause damage and power outages. Customers can act now to prepare for severe weather by visiting PECO.

In addition, customers can also receive PECO alerts before winter weather grips the region and sign up to receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email, or phone, including when power is out, when service is expected to be restored, or when power is restored.

Customers can also text “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326) to enroll in PECO’s two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of their outage.

Bill Relief and Assistance Programs

PECO has the highest customer assistance program participation in the state to help customers manage their energy bills. Income-qualified programs are available to help customers with past-due balance forgiveness, energy efficiency measures, hardship grants, and referrals for other services. The company also helps connect customers with programs that provide grant assistance for outstanding balances, like LIHEAP. Learn more about PECO’s assistance programs.