PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As temperatures begin to dip, PECO has been hard at work to complete the necessary projects to ensure the company’s natural gas and electric systems are ready to meet the energy needs of our customers all winter long.

Each year, PECO invests more than $100 million in the company’s natural gas system to provide safe and reliable service for customers. This work includes equipment inspections, repairs and replacements, and preventive maintenance on the company’s natural gas transmission and distribution system.

This year PECO installed more than 7,200 feet of underground natural gas main to meet the growing needs of customers. The company also completed 146 projects to replace more than 106,000 feet of existing natural gas line with new plastic pipe, which enhances safety, is more durable and improves service. PECO has secured natural gas supply and completed filling storage facilities to serve more than 511,000 natural gas customers this heating season.

The company also has inspected more than 13,000 miles of aerial electric lines and more than 2,200 manholes to examine and make any needed repairs to underground electrical equipment. PECO has completed three electrical enhancement projects to meet increased customer demand during the winter. This seasonal readiness work is a part of $500 million invested each year in the company’s electric system.

“This work is essential to meeting the increased natural gas and electricity needs of our customers during the coldest months of the year,” said Craig Adams, president and CEO. “This work begins months in advance and helps us meet the increased demand for energy, when our customers need it the most.”

As PECO prepares for winter, customers are reminded to prepare too.

Follow these helpful tips:

• Clean air vents around the house.
• Install storm windows and doors.
• Check weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors.
• Install seals behind electrical outlets and switches along exterior walls.

PECO also reminds customers to test their heating system and have it inspected by a qualified technician. Regular service will ensure the heating system operates safely and efficiently for the season ahead.

PECO customers are also reminded to visit peco.com/alerts before winter weather grips the region. Customers can receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email or phone, including when power is out, when service is expected to be restored, or when power is restored. In addition, customers can text “ADDOUTAGE” to MYPECO (697326), to enroll in our two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of their outage.

For customers not currently using natural gas, new programs and incentives are available to help make choosing natural gas more affordable. And, customers continue to save money due to lower natural gas prices. PECO customers are currently paying the lowest price for natural gas in 15 years.

PECO provides a variety of rebates for customers switching to natural gas or installing energy efficient natural gas heating equipment:

• PECO Smart Natural Gas Conversion offers rebates up to $200 for residential and up to $1,000 for commercial customers that switch to natural gas heat from another fuel source.
• PECO Smart Gas Efficiency Upgrade provides up to $300 in rebates for customers installing ENERGY STAR® qualified natural gas furnaces or boilers and $100 for a high efficiency furnace fan motor, which comes standard on ENERGY STAR qualified natural gas furnaces.
• PECO Smart Home Rebates offers customers up to $1,000 for switching from an electric furnace or electric baseboard heat to an ENERGY STAR natural gas furnace or boiler, and $400 for switching from an electric hot water heater to an ENERGY STAR natural gas storage tank water heater.

For more information about making the switch to natural gas, visit peco.com/gasconversion or call 1-866-685-5665.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). The company’s 2,400 dedicated employees provide advanced, innovative energy solutions to 1.6 million electric and more than 511,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2015 PECO delivered 86.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 38 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.5 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 9,600 local jobs and producing $760 million in labor income. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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