​Evansville – CenterPoint Energy remains focused on providing safe, reliable service to its customers as the arctic cold front impacts the area. With temperatures dropping substantially CenterPoint Energy wants to encourage customers to continue to conserve, when possible, to help manage their usage and the overall system.
“Our systems are responding and performing well,†stated Ashley Babcock, Vice President Indiana and Ohio Gas. “Usage increases with the extreme cold temperatures as everyone is trying to keep warm, and we want to help customers safely manage their energy consumption.â€
Additionally, Richard Leger, Senior Vice President of Indiana Electric says “Our electrical grid is doing well, despite the frigid temperatures. We have not received any indication from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) suggesting any issues at this time. We will continue to monitor our systems and stay in communication with MISO.â€
The company is offering these safety tips to help customers prepare as soon as possible:
- Set your thermostat at 68°F or lower – every degree of extra heating will increase energy usage by six to eight percent.
- Dress warmly.
- Use more blankets at night.
- Set ceiling fans on the reverse to re-circulate the heat that builds up near the ceiling.
- Cover windows on winter nights with insulated curtains.
- Open interior blinds, drapes, or shades during the day to let the sun warm your home during cooler months.
 Natural Gas:
- Make sure your heating system is working properly. Malfunctioning home heating equipment can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check that outside furnace vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice. Keep your furnace filter clean for safe, efficient operation.
- Use space heaters safely. Use a space heater with an automatic shut-off feature, and keep children, pets, and all items at least three feet away. A space heater that uses gas, propane, or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
- Check your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms. These devices are essential to warn you of a fire or dangerous condition involving a furnace, water heater, fireplace or stove. Test your alarms monthly and change batteries as recommended by the manufacturer.
 Energy Efficiency:
Cold temperatures also mean increased energy usage. CenterPoint Energy recommends the following tips for more efficient heating:
Furnace: A furnace is the largest natural gas consuming appliance.
- Lowering your thermostat can help you save on your annual heating costs. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you automatically control your heat usage. Add on extra layers of clothing to keep warm.
- Change your air filters monthly. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can increase the operating cost of your furnace by as much as 10 percent. A good reminder is to change the filter each time you receive your natural gas bill.
Other appliances: Although they consume less natural gas, you can still maximize their efficiency.
- Run your washing machine, dishwasher, and gas dryer only with full loads.
Make Your Home More Airtight And Keep Cold Air Outside:
- Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weather-stripping. The most common places where air escapes in homes are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents and electrical outlets.
- If it has been a while, consider adding more insulation in your attic.
- On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let the sun’s warmth in. Close them at night to insulate them against the cold air outside.
CenterPoint Energy also provides a safety reminder in case of 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 800-227-1376. Don’t use electric switches/outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or in close proximity to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
