Here’s What You Need To Know
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(JOHNSON CITY, Texas) January 6, 2025 — With cold temperatures and potential inclement weather in the forecast this week, Pedernales Electric Cooperative has been busy preparing. PEC continues to monitor weather reports closely and is ready to respond. At the same time, PEC is also encouraging members to stay in contact and prepare the following tasks now:
- Sign up for PEC emergency alerts and keep your contact information up to date by calling us at 888-554-4732. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Prepare your home. Use weatherstripping and caulking to tightly seal windows and doors, especially in any areas where air can enter your home. Keep your faucets on a slow drip to keep pipes from freezing. Catch the dripping water in a clean container, sink, or tub to use if your water system is impacted. If your pipes freeze, turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage.
- Keep your PEC account number handy. You must know this number to report an outage.
- Know how to report an outage. Text the word “outage” to 25022 from the mobile number associated with your PEC account or call our outage reporting line at 888-883-3379.
- Keep cell phones charged and ready. Remember to also charge portable phone battery banks.
- Build an emergency kit. Be sure to include items like flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable foods, and blankets. Visit mypec.com/weather-preparation for a complete list of items.
- Develop an emergency plan, including what to do in case of an extended outage. PEC will share information about city and area warming centers if/when they are opened. PEC cannot guarantee uninterrupted or continuous power and strongly encourages all members to have an emergency plan, including backup generation if needed.
To help mitigate high bills this season, PEC also recommends following these tips, especially during the coldest days.
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower, or as close to 68 degrees as you can tolerate comfortably. Once you establish a temperature, keep your thermostat set there and only increase the setting by one or two degrees at a time, if necessary.
- Avoid auxiliary (AUX) and emergency (EM) heat. These settings use a substantial amount of energy, increasing your energy use and your electric bill.
- Change your air filters monthly and have a certified technician complete yearly maintenance on your system. A faulty HVAC can increase your energy use. Your system needs to breathe so keep all vents open, make sure vents are free from any obstructions like furniture, and keep interior doors open throughout your home.
- Analyze your energy use. Know how much electricity you’re using each day with the robust analysis tool on your online account. This dashboard on the Usage Explorer gives you an in-depth look at monthly, daily, and hourly use.
- Understand your bill. Each month’s bill reflects your usage during the previous month. Even if it seems like the current month’s weather has been mild, last month’s weather and events will be reflected on this month’s bill.
- Explore our alternative rates. We understand no two members are alike, and neither is their energy use. If you can shift when you use energy, you may be able to save with our Time-of-Use Rate. Visit myPEC.com/time-of-use to learn more.
- Schedule an over-the-phone energy assessment. PEC’s energy advisors can help you maximize savings with an over-the-phone energy assessment. Call us at 888-554-4732 to schedule an appointment. Additional savings tips are listed on PEC’s website at mypec.com/savings.
Members can follow PEC’s social media channels and visit mypec.com for the latest information and updates.
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