AEP’s meteorologists predict that this winter will be chillier than previous years — and our crews will be working hard to make sure you stay safe and warm.
“Our forecast is cooler than last winter. We’re not forecasting a bitterly cold winter, but it is going to be chilly,” said AEP Meteorologist Edward Kieser. “The winter outlook has variability. For example, we may have more extreme temperature swings, so people should be prepared for some periods of cold.”
Our crews will be on the roads, but we want to make sure your home is ready for winter weather, too. Here are some important reminders to help you stay safe and save energy as temperatures drop:
Stay Safe
- Do NOT use stoves, ovens or grills to heat your home because it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and significant indoor air pollution.
- If using a temporary heating source, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for installation and use.
- Check your carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they are working and that batteries have been replaced.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors to make sure they are safe.
Save Energy
- Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or a comfortable and safe temperature for you and your household.
- Change your furnace filter every month.
- Make sure your ceiling fans are turning clockwise to push heat down.
- Close your shades at night to keep your house warm and open them during the day to let in sunlight for natural heating.
Financial Support
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, we can help. AEP Ohio has several payment assistance programs. For more information, visit AEPOhio.com, call 800-672-2231 or send us a direct message on social media.
For more cost-saving tips, visit AEPOhio.com/Savings/Home.
You provide some good tips although many of them I was already taking advantage of… Thank you for the efforts of communicating with your customer
Thanks so much for this very helpful information and advice. I’m ongoing grateful for all of you with AEP, and all the support and work you provide.
Thank you very much for the tips to save energy. I did want to ask if you provided a service where I could check my walls to see if I needed to add more insulation. I had my house insulated about seven years ago, but it still seems cold.
Hi Brenda, we’re glad you appreciated the tips. We do not currently have a program like this but we have shared your question with our team. We’re always evaluating how we can best serve our customers and may consider something like this in the future.
does lowering the temp every nightmake it hard on the furnance and/or thermostat?
Great question, Ann. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s a common misconception that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back. In fact, as soon as your house drops below its normal temperature, it will lose energy to the surrounding environment more slowly.
During winter, the lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature.
Thank you for sharing these tips, but I have been doing these tips for years. My issue is that I am now taking care of my mom who is on hospice (for the last 18+ months) and my AEP bill has sky rocketed due to her life saving equipment always running, having to do extra laundry per week (went from doing laundry once a week to almost daily) which uses a lot of electricity to keep my hot water running which is electric not gas and much more!
I have contacted you at you many times at suggested information you have given above in your article & I will copy & paste it here as well as tried to get help from your website. However, everything I get the SAME ANSWER,” We can put you on a payment plan or a budget.”
What about the “Neighbor to Neighbor” program or the other programs you offer for grants to help pay our bills? I am on SSDI and can barely make it as it was with $250/mo bills now you are asking me to pay upwards of $500-$700/mo? That is INSANE! There HAS to be a law, stipulation or something that puts a cap on the disabled especially if there is a hospice patient in the home! There is ENOUGH STRESS WONDERING IF YOU WILL WAKE UP TO FIND YOUR LOVED ONE DEAD THAN TO WORRY IF YOU WILL HAVE ELECTRICITY TO COOK FOR THEM, GIVE THEM A HIT BATH, CLEAB VEAN CLOTHES & LINENS, KEEP THEM WARM IN WINTER & COOL IN THE SUMMER, BUT MOST INPORTANTLY TO KEEP THEIR NECESSARY EQUIPMENT RUNNING SO THEY CAN GET THE BEST CARE POSSIBE & LIVE THEIR FINAL DAYS COMFORTABLY!
Not everyone can afford to put a loved one in a home. NOR do they want to. Maybe the loved ones wishes are to die at home with family or maybe it is a religious preference?
I am just saying it IS NOT RIGHT for YOU TO DICTATE & by NOT OFFERING THE PROPER HELP YOU KIND OF ARE DICTATING THAT!
SO SAD & SO SHAMEFUL.
You are not the only utility company doing this either. This is what makes me so mad.
Unmentioned, we’re sorry that you are experiencing financial hardship in addition to caring for your loved one. Please reach out to our Customer Solutions team to review your options and your account. They can be reached via DM on Facebook and X or by calling 800-672-2231.
Thank you for the tips. Thank you also for your service to the community and