ComEd Prepares for Winter Storm and Plummeting Temperatures Across Northern Illinois | Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce(https://www.bolingbrook.com/)
ComEd Prepares for Winter Storm and Plummeting Temperatures Across Northern Illinois | Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce(https://www.bolingbrook.com/)
ComEd Prepares for Winter Storm and Plummeting Temperatures Across Northern Illinois
With severe weather forecasted across northern Illinois starting Thursday, ComEd is getting equipment and additional crews in place to respond to potential power outages. Forecasts project 6 inches to 12 inches of snow and high winds across northern Illinois from Thursday night through Friday.
“We are positioning our people and equipment to respond quickly and safely to any interruptions that result from this snowstorm,” said Terry Donnelly, president and COO of ComEd. “We realize that any interruption is an inconvenience to our customers, especially during the holidays. Avoiding power outages and restoring service quickly is critical. We have strengthened our system over the years to reduce the impacts a storm like this can have on our customers.”
Since it started smart grid investments in 2012, ComEd has improved overall reliability across northern Illinois communities and avoided more than 19 million customer interruptions. In recent benchmarking against similar utilities across the country, ComEd was found to be the most reliable electric company.
When responding to power outages caused by storms, ComEd’s priority is to restore critical facilities such as police and fire stations, nursing homes and hospitals first, followed by work that will restore power to the greatest number of customers.
Public safety is paramount, and ComEd encourages customers to take the following precautions:
- If a downed power line is spotted, immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
- Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is extremely dangerous and energized.
- In the event of an outage, do not approach ComEd crews working to restore power to ask about restoration times. Crews may be working on live electrical equipment, and the perimeter of the work zone may be hazardous. Additionally, for the safety of themselves and the public, crews are practicing social distancing.
ComEd’s interactive outage map on its website at ComEd.com/map allows customers to easily find information on the location and size of outages and get estimated power restoration times.
Cold Weather TipsDuring the cold-weather season, ComEd customers can manage energy use and save money on their electric bills with a few easy steps:
- When the sun is shining, open shades on south-facing windows and take advantage of natural light for warmth. Close the shades during the night to help insulate your home.
- Set your thermostat to as low a temperature as possible to maintain personal comfort. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill will be. Overnight, you can also save by turning your thermostat down a few degrees while sleeping.
- Clear area around heating and cooling vents. Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.
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