PHILADELPHIA (February 23, 2015) – Last week’s bitterly cold temperatures caused customer demand for natural gas to soar to record-breaking levels. On February 15, customer demand for natural gas totaled 777,456 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) and on February 19, natural gas demand totaled 766,365 Mcf, surpassing the previous all-time winter daily total of 759,660 Mcf set during the Polar Vortex on January 7, 2014.

“Our customers depend on us to provide the energy they need, when they need it most, especially during times of extreme conditions,” said Craig Adams, PECO president and CEO. “Our electric and natural gas systems continue to perform well and our ongoing investments in our system help maintain this reliable performance.”

To reduce the impact that extreme temperatures can have on monthly energy costs, PECO reminds customers to use energy as efficiently as possible. Specifically,

• Check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal up any openings with weather stripping or even a rolled-up blanket. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm – especially on the coldest days of the season.
• Take advantage of natural sunlight. Open curtains and drapes during the day to let the sun warm your home and close them at night for insulation.
• Keep the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use.
• Keep heating vents clean with a vacuum or broom and do not cover ducts with drapes or furniture that can block the airflow and possibly cause a fire.
• Use ceiling fans so the warm air that has risen can be redistributed around the room.
• Close off unoccupied rooms and regulate individual room temperatures by adjusting the registers. Adjust room registers so warm air flows across the floor and rises naturally.
• Keep your thermostat set at a constant, comfortable level, usually 68 to 70 degrees.
• And remember to turn off unnecessary lights and other electronics.
• To find more ways to save energy and money visit peco.com/smartideas.

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Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC).  PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 500,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region.  PECO delivered 85.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013.  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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