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Stay warm; use energy wisely as temps drop

Chelan County PUD
News Release
 12/10/2008

Low temperatures, possibly dipping into the single digits at night, are forecast for the coming week. Chelan County PUD has already taken the steps needed to meet winter power demand. Customers may want to consider some of these suggestions for comfort and to protect water pipes from freezing.

  • Set your thermostat at 68 degrees, or at a temperature that’s comfortable for you.
  • Check furnace or heat pump filters and replace if dirty. A dirty filter restricts warm air and makes your heating system work harder.
  • Make sure your foundation vents are closed. If your vents do not close, tape plastic over the outside to help keep out the cold. This helps keep your home warmer and protects against frozen water pipes.
  • Check weather stripping on exterior doors and windows. Adjust and/or replace the stripping if you can see light around the door.
  • Close drapes in the evening and on overcast days to keep heat in. Make sure drapes don’t block heat registers.
  • On sunny days, open drapes on south-facing windows to catch the warmth of the sun.

If there is a concern about water pipes freezing:

  • Consider letting a cold water faucet drip continuously when the weather is at its coldest. If your pipes do freeze, be cautious of potential fire hazards in using heat sources to thaw them.
  • Know the location of the water shut-off valve in your home. Check to make sure it works.
  • Open cupboard doors under sinks, especially where plumbing is in outside walls, to let interior heat warm the pipes.
  • Place a lighted bulb in small unheated areas where water pipes are located.
  • If you are away from home for any length of time, leave the thermostat set at least at 55 degrees.

Winter storms can cause power outages. PUD customers are urged to be prepared by keeping flashlights handy, having a cell phone or one corded phone as cordless phones don’t work without electricity, and knowing how to manually open electric garage doors.

If there is a power outage, information is available by calling 1-877-PUD-8123 (1-877-783-8123).

Anytime there is a power outage, customers can help PUD crews restore service faster by reducing demand on the system as electricity service is restored. Please:

  • Turn off all but one light (so you can tell when service is restored).
  • Turn down your furnace thermostat.
  • Turn off the breaker for your electric water heater.
  • Wait 10 minutes after power is restored before turning everything back on.  

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For more energy saving tips, call the Conservation Department at 661-8008 or visit the PUD’s Web site at www.chelanpud.org and click on “energy conservation” on the left side of the home page.

If you are a Chelan County PUD water customer with questions about your service, call 661-4254.

Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
509.661.4320, office
509.679.6858, cell
kimc@chelanpud.org