Customers are encouraged to prepare for colder weather

PHILADELPHIA (November 7, 2018) – As temperatures begin to dip, PECO has been hard at work completing 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.

PECO invests more than $200 million each year in its natural gas system. This includes inspecting equipment, completing necessary equipment repairs or replacements, performing preventive maintenance work, and installing additional natural gas main and service lines to bring natural gas service to new customers.

This year PECO installed more than 80,000 feet of underground natural gas main to meet the growing needs of customers. The company also completed 173 projects to replace nearly 164,000 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 523,000 natural gas customers this heating season.

The company also has inspected more than 12,000 miles of aerial electric lines and 1,700 manholes to make any needed repairs to underground electrical equipment. This seasonal readiness work is a part of $500 million invested each year in the company's electric system.

"We work throughout the year to ensure that our customers have the safe and reliable energy that they expect and depend on, especially during the colder winter months," said Mike Innocenzo, PECO president and CEO. "This proactive work helps ensure that we are prepared to meet the increased demand from our customers when they need it 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 encouraged 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 among 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 Natural Gas Conversion Rebates offer up to $200 for residential and up to $1,000 for commercial customers that switch to natural gas heat from another fuel source.
  
• PECO Gas Efficiency Rebates provide up to $300 in incentives 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. A $50 rebate is also available to residential customers for ENERGY STAR qualified storage hot water heaters.
  
• PECO Home Rebates offers customers up to $1,000 for switching from electric heat (air source heat pump, electric furnace or electric baseboard) to an ENERGY STAR natural gas furnace, and $400 for switching from an electric hot water heater to an ENERGY STAR natural gas storage tank water heater. Additional rebates are available for replacing electric stovetops or clothes dryers with natural gas stovetops or ENERGY STAR natural gas clothes dryers.
  

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

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PECO, founded in 1881, is Pennsylvania's largest electric and natural gas utility.  Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 516,000 natural gas customers in southeastern, Pennsylvania.  The company's 2,500 employees are dedicated to the safe and reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas as well as enhanced energy management conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance.  PECO was named 2017 Best Mid-size Employer in Philadelphia by Forbes Magazine. The company also has an estimated annual economic impact of $4.3 billion in Pennsylvania, supporting more than 8,700 local jobs and producing $732 million in labor income.  PECO is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's only Fortune 100 utility and leading competitive energy provider. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

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