Gulf Power is geared up as more bitter-cold temperatures are expected throughout Northwest Florida this weekend — with temperatures expected to plunge into the teens.

“We’re ready for this weather — just as we prepare for operations 24 hours a day,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power Public Affairs manager. “We make sure that all available power generation is online and ready for maximum output, and our lines and substations are prepared for the energy our customers need.”

Gulf Power has additional employees working through the weekend and more employees on 24-hour callout if needed.

The company achieves its 99.9-percent reliability through planning and preparation, and coordination throughout the Southern Company system.

Before a cold surge, Gulf Power performs a system assessment and prepares crews on standby throughout the company’s 8-county territory.

Line crews activate capacitor banks, which allow the system run more efficiently and effectively as the demand increases with the cold weather.

In case of isolated outages, crews restore electricity systematically to ensure that the load stabilizes. Gulf Power recommends that customers follow these guidelines to speed restoration:

·         If you lose power in your home, turn off the electric heating system. Heating systems in emergency heat mode can demand two to three times as much current as heat pumps in normal operation.

 

·         Once power is restored, wait about 10 to 15 minutes before turning on your heating system, allowing the electricity load to stabilize.

 

·         Do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ways customers can conserve energy during the winter:

·         Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.

 

·         Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.

 

·         During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.

 

·         Check filters at least monthly and clean or change them as needed. Dirty filters increase operating costs and can damage equipment.

 

·         Use caulk around windows to prevent drafts.

 

·         Use exhaust fans sparingly in winter. Heat and moisture from bathing and cooking contribute heat to your home.

 

·         Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.

 

·         Cover bare floors. Carpeting adds to comfort and heat retention, especially if there is little or no floor insulation.

 

·         If possible, remove window air conditioning units in winter. Otherwise, install an inexpensive air conditioner cover to stop drafts coming through the vents.

 

·         A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.

 

·         An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long. 

 

·         Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.

 

·         Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.

 

·         Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.

 

 

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.

 

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