With frigid temperatures forecasted, CenterPoint Energy provides important safety reminders and valuable tips to save energy while keeping warm

With frigid temperatures forecasted, CenterPoint Energy provides important safety reminders and valuable tips to save energy while keeping warm

Wednesday-November-27-2024

Dayton - Nov. 27, 2024 -Over the coming days, significantly colder temperatures are expected throughout Ohio with many areas of the state forecasted to experience temperatures in the low teens. CenterPoint Energy wants to remind customers it has a cold weather plan in place and is prepared for potential impacts from the colder weather ahead.

Colder outdoor temperatures may require customers to u​se more energy to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature. CenterPoint is highlighting simple energy-saving and safety steps to help lower heating bills, while keeping customers safe and warm this winter.

Energy-saving Tips

• Make sure your heating system is operating safely and efficiently. An annual inspection and tune-up by a qualified technician are recommended.
  

• Change or clean your furnace filter regularly. This helps maximize your furnace's efficiency and life.
  

• Turn down your thermostat. By lowering your thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night or when you're away for at least eight hours, you can potentially save 10% on your heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, you can have your heating system work around your schedule.
  

• Keep warm air in and cold air out of your home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. You can also roll up towels and push them against the bottom of the door's interior to help prevent heat loss. Close fireplace dampers when not in use, so you don't lose heat.
  

• Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open your window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close your coverings at night to keep warmth inside. If the sun's not shining, keep your window coverings closed to hold warmth inside.
  

• Circulate warm air with your ceiling fans. Set your ceiling fans to turn clockwise slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to your living levels.
  

To learn more about these and other energy-saving tips, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SavingsTips.

Safety Tips

• Use space heaters safely. Make sure your space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
  

• Test your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  

• Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If you suspect you could have CO poisoning, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
  

• Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If you smell the "rotten egg" odor of natural gas, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-296-9815. Don't use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
  

To learn more about natural gas safety, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.

Customer Payment Assistance
CenterPoint offers various programs, tools and tips to help customers manage their bills and save energy. The company encourages those facing hardship to call CenterPoint to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available. To learn more visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

Ohio's Special Reconnect Order (SRO) is available through April 18, 2025. The SRO helps reconnect gas service or avoid disconnection during the winter heating months. It allows customers to restore service by paying up to $175, even if their balance exceeds that amount. Customers must also apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and enroll in a standard extended payment plan with CenterPoint or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) if they are eligible. Assistance with the $175 payment may also be available through HEAP programs.

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