Atlantic City Electric Completes Work to Ready the Energy Grid for Summer Demand

Atlantic City Electric and local contractor crews work to modernize the local energy grid as part of the company’s efforts to prepare for the summer storm season. (Photo provided)

With summer just around the corner, Atlantic City Electric has been hard at work, prepping its systems and testing its processes and procedures, all part of the company’s efforts to provide safe and reliable service for its 556,000 customers this summer.

“We stay committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable energy services for our customers year-round,” said Gary Stockbridge, Atlantic City Electric region president. “Through our continued approach of preparing early and consistently, the men and women of Atlantic City Electric stand ready and able to answer the call in keeping customers’ energized all summer. As hurricane season and warmer temperatures begin to arrive, we look to provide customers the tools and resources they need to stay safe and increase savings during the summer heat.”

Atlantic City Electric’s work to prepare for the summer is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain and modernize the local energy grid. In fact, these efforts have reduced the frequency of power outages by 22 percent for Atlantic City Electric customers. When outages did occur, customers were restored 17 percent faster, on average.

In addition to the money spent to enhance the system, Atlantic City Electric completes hundreds of tasks to prepare for the summer season, including system work, testing and drills.

Atlantic City Electric employees across the region also are ready to respond to severe summer storms or emergencies, if needed. As part of the Exelon family of companies, Atlantic City Electric can call on resources from sister companies in Baltimore, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Philadelphia, and Illinois to restore power faster after major storms.

As Atlantic City Electric prepares for summer, customers should prepare too. Before severe weather hits, customers should:

• Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include battery-powered radio or TV, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, medications, a multi-purpose tool, cell phones with chargers, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
• Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable foods available.
• Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Identify an alternate location for you and/or your family in case of an extended outage.
• Review the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operations of your generator. Do not connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring. Never use a generator indoors or any enclosed area.
• Download Atlantic City Electric’s app to keep informed during a storm.

If severe storms hit, Atlantic City Electric has many online resources to keep customers informed.

The company’s interactive outage map is available here and its mobile app provide customers information about outages across the company’s system and give an estimate of how quickly power is expected to be restored. Being prepared is a responsibility everyone should take seriously.

If a severe storm hits, monitor local weather reports regularly and follow the advice of local emergency management officials. Immediately report a downed wire or service issue by calling 800-833-7476​, by clicking here through the company’s mobile app.

More tips, resources and safety information are available by clicking here.

Higher temperatures can lead to higher energy bills, and Atlantic City Electric provides a variety of programs to help every customer save money and energy.

Customers can learn more about these programs by clicking here. atlanticcityelectric.com/waystosave.

In addition, customers can save energy and lower their bills this summer by following a few simple tips:

• Turn it off: Turn off all unnecessary lighting and devices.
• Manage your thermostat: Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days of extreme heat to save even more. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you’re away or sleeping.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed: About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply closing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat in your home.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air: For those without air conditioning, use ceiling fans or portable fans with the windows partially open to circulate fresh air into your home. For those with air conditioning, fans can be used to evenly distribute cool air.
• Use appliances wisely: Run appliances that produce heat (like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.

By completing a few simple steps, together we can be ready, stay safe, stay cool, and use less energy this summer.

Readers are encouraged to visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room.

Visit The Source, Atlantic City Electric’s online news room and find additional information about Atlantic City Electric by following the company on Facebook and on Twitter.