What a Blast! Of Arctic Air, That Is

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

December 28, 2017

ATHENS, Tenn.--Despite daytime temperatures in the 40s this week, the Athens area is about to be blasted with a wave of winter cold.

Arctic air will plunge into the region this weekend and will linger frigidly through the first week of the New Year.

"When the temperature falls below freezing overnight Friday into Saturday it likely will stay below freezing all week long, day and night," said AUB's Wayne Scarbrough.

"We'll probably be at 13 or 14 degrees a couple of nights next week. Some areas may experience single-digit temperatures. That presents issues across many fronts for our business and our customers," he said.

Extreme cold creates extreme demand for electric power and natural gas for heating, and it can freeze customer water lines and faucets.

"When everyone is cranking their heat, the demand on our power system peaks. We have to be ready for that peak with ample capacity available for that moment when demand is highest. Most every day of the year have more capacity than we need. But if our system were not built to handle that single peak instant of the season, we'd have brown-outs or outages. So you want that capacity available year round," Scarbrough said.

AUB gas crews also are preparing now for the extreme cold. Weather this cold strains gas system pressures. If pressure falls too low in a neighborhood, nearby pilot lights can go out.

"Our crews are checking and prepping the system now, checking valves and configurations, to ensure that pressures remain adequate to keep everyone in service," he said.

Homeowners can take steps to help moderate the full impact of heating needs.

Ensure that your heating system is tuned up for optimal efficiency and that you clean or replace air filters. Target a wintertime thermostat setting of 68 degrees. Check all windows, doors and other openings to see if repairs, insulation or weather stripping may help keep cold air out and warm air in.

"This cold spell will make your AUB bill higher. We should all expect it. When it is 15 or 20 degrees outside and we want our home to be 70 degrees inside, it's pretty clear what that requires. More energy use, which means a higher bill," Scarbrough said.

Scarbrough said that customers also should consider how to handle a power outage in extreme cold.

"We'll do all we can to avoid outages. But in general we don't cause outages, we fix them. Ninety-nine percent of outages are caused by an outside force that we react to as repairmen, such as trees and limbs, automobile accidents, and animals," he said.

AUB suggests that residents have these things readily available:

• Several heavy blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter coats and clothing
• Portable, non-electric heaters (never leave a child unattended with a portable heater)
• Plenty of dry fire wood if heating with a fireplace or wood burning stove
• Operable smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• A chemical fire extinguisher
• Flashlights; battery-powered lanterns
• At least one battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries in a variety of sizes and types
• A well-charged cell phone
• A first-aid kit

The coming cold poses other problems as well, such as frozen pipes.

"If your home's water pipes burst not only can you be out of water, you also can incur costly cleanup and repair bills from water damage," Scarbrough said. "Unfortunately, we see it every winter."

AUB suggests that you inspect your home and consider these simple steps now.

• Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
• If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off the main incoming water supply valves that feed piping inside your home.
• Disconnect all gardening hoses and install insulating covers on all outside faucets.
• Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
• Wrap pipes near exterior walls, in basements and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape.
• Allow an interior faucet to run slightly, preferably with lukewarm water.

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