PSO is closely monitoring weather and grid conditions and is ready to respond as needed.
Storm management processes have been activated and will remain in place until the threat has passed.
PSO is coordinating with local emergency management authorities and will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds. If you have questions related to your PSO power please call: 1-833-776-6884.
Weather
Snow and extremely cold temperatures are expected across the state.
Storm Preparation Efforts
• PSO continually prepares for all types of weather throughout the year and regularly conducts storm drills to maintain a high level of readiness.
• PSO lineworkers, forestry personnel and support are ready to respond should outages occur.
• Customers can view and manage their energy usage on the PSO website.
• Cold weather safety tips can be found on the PSO website here.
Five low- and no-cost energy-saving cold weather tips for customers:
1. Adjust the temperature in your home when no one is home or when everyone is asleep. Set thermostats as low as appropriate for staying healthy and comfortable. Lowering the temperature on your thermostat by just a couple of degrees can result in significant long-term savings.
2. Replace your air filters to keep your HVAC system and thermostat(s) working well as you heat your home. Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, making your system work harder and less effective.
3. Seal leaks to stop drafts. No one likes a cold draft on a winter day. Air leaks can cause your home to lose 25% or more of the energy used to heat it! Doors are the #1 culprit, so use door seals and door sweeps to stop cold air in its tracks. But don’t stop there; check keyholes, ceiling light fixtures, and fireplace mantels
to see if you can spot other places your heat could be escaping and seal them accordingly.
4. Use your curtains. Open your curtains and blinds during daylight hours to allow the sun to naturally heat your home. Close your curtains and blinds when the sun goes down to act as a barrier and prevent cold chills from cooling your home.
5. Adjust the temperature of your water heater. After heating and cooling systems, water heaters are the second-highest source of energy usage in a home. Whether you use it or not, your water heater continually reheats water to a set temperature, 24/7. Lowering the temperature on your water heater by just a few
degrees can save you a couple of dollars on your monthly energy bills.
Key Messages to Remember:
• PSO’s system is well designed and well built, but no mechanical operation is immune to the forces of nature.
• PSO is coordinating with Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and constantly monitoring the condition of the grid. PSO is ready to take any steps necessary to serve its customers.
• PSO adjusts how and when PSO’s power plants come online to increase the availability of generation before extreme weather arrives.
• PSO’s power plants have been prepped for winter weather, and crews have been trained in cold weather preparations.