With an extended bitter cold deep freeze of below zero temperatures and windy conditions expected across Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy provides vital tips to help customers[...]

With an extended bitter cold deep freeze of below zero temperatures and windy conditions expected across Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy provides vital tips to help customers stay safe and warm

Company is prepared to provide safe, reliable energy during cold weather; Energy efficiency tips can help customers save while keeping their homes comfortable

Friday-February-14-2025

Minneapolis - Feb. 14, 2025 - Starting as early as this weekend and throughout next week, bitter cold is expected in Minnesota with temperatures that could be experienced around -20 degrees and a possibility of "feels like" temperatures as low as -40 degrees. CenterPoint wants to remind customers it has a cold weather action plan in place and urges customers to also have a cold weather plan in place to stay safe and warm.

Natural gas preparedness actions in Minnesota
CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather in Minnesota through proactive actions that aim to provide safe, reliable and resilient energy service. The company's efforts include:

• Monitoring the natural gas system 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans to support delivery of service.
  

• Conducting infrastructure projects to modernize the company's natural gas distribution system.
  

• Leveraging natural gas, propane and/or liquefied natural gas stored ahead of the winter heating season that can be used to increase the available supply within the system to support customer needs.
  

• Staging staff across the company's service area that is ready to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.
  

Payment Assistance Resources Are Available for Customers
Colder weather may require customers to use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature inside their homes. That's why CenterPoint offers programs, tools and tips to help customers manage their bills and save energy. The company encourages those facing hardship to call CenterPoint to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available. To learn more, customers should call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

Energy-saving Tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to consider implementing easy tips that can help make a big difference on a monthly heating bill including:

• Make sure the heating system is operating safely and efficiently. Change or clean the furnace filter regularly to help maximize the furnace's efficiency and life.
  

• Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night or when away for at least eight hours can potentially save 10% on heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, a heating system can work around a customer's schedule.
  

• Keep warm air in and cold air out of the home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. Towels can also be rolled up and pushed against the bottom of a door's interior. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
  

• Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
  

• Circulate warm air with ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to living levels.

Safety Tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to keep safety at the forefront of their minds as they heat their homes:

• Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.​
  

• Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  

• Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
  

• Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If there's a "rotten egg" odor of natural gas present, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-296-9815. Don't use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
  

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving the energy needs of more than 920,000 residential and business customers.

​

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.