Delmarva Power Urges Customers to Act Now as Severe Heat Wave Approaches

With an intense and potentially dangerous heat wave expected this week, increased energy usage will drive higher bills. Delmarva Power is encouraging customers to prepare now by taking simple steps to use energy more efficiently and manage cooling costs. Through year-round maintenance and investments in the energy system, Delmarva Power is further enhancing reliability to help customers experience minimal disruptions during the summer when energy demand is the highest.

This proactive work also includes infrastructure upgrades and grid modernization work to further reinforce the local energy grid against the increased frequency of damaging storms. As part of this work and in preparation for the summer season, Delmarva Power tested systems, processes, and procedures, and completed reliability improvement projects across the region to help ensure customers stay powered this summer and through the expected heat wave.

As temperatures rise, air conditioners and cooling systems will work harder to keep homes comfortable, making it especially important for customers to plan now. Delmarva Power encourages customers to consider the following energy-saving actions:

• Turn it off: Turn off all unnecessary lighting and devices.
• Manage your thermostat: Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level when at home and increase it by 7 degrees when no one is home. Start with an indoor temperature between 75-78 degrees during the day. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you are away or sleeping.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed: In the summer, consider closing window

coverings to reduce heat gain. Let natural light in by opening window coverings that aren't exposed to direct sunlight.

• Use ceiling fans to circulate air: Ceiling fans are the most effective type of circulating fan. They help improve comfort year-round by effectively circulating air throughout a room. In summer, run ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
• Service your AC: Make sure to replace or clean the air filters for your cooling system at least once a month (or as often as recommended by the manufacturer) and have your system serviced regularly. It can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5-15 percent.
• Choose Energy-Efficient Products: When buying new cooling equipment, select energy-efficient products. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing new products.
• Weatherize Your Home: Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to reduce cooling costs and increase comfort.
• Use appliances wisely: Run appliances that produce heat (like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.
• Secure Windows: Be sure to securely shut and lock windows when turning on the central air conditioner. Windows will only make a proper seal when the windows are locked.

Customers can monitor their energy usage in their My Account on Delmarva Power's website or in the company's mobile app.

More Ways to Save

Delmarva Power's Home Energy Counseling and Check-Up Program offers customers an assessment of their home's energy use. An energy analyst will perform a walk-through, provide a report with recommendations, and may also install energy-saving products at no cost.

For more information about summer energy efficiency tips and programs, visit delmarva.com/SummerReadiness.

Energy Assistance

For customers facing financial hardship, Delmarva Power encourages anyone who may be struggling to pay their bill to reach out as early as possible. A range of energy assistance programs, flexible payment arrangements and usage tools are available to help eligible customers manage their energy costs, including:

• Direct Assistance for eligible income-qualified customers for bill assistance, payment arrangements, grants, or energy efficiency support, including Delmarva Power's recently expanded Customer Relief Fund and programs such as LIHEAP to help cover energy costs.
• The Assistance Finder tool helps identify bill assistance and energy efficiency programs that customers may qualify for.
• Single Stop helps customers quickly and privately check if they qualify for other benefits, including help with housing, money, food, school, healthcare, childcare, taxes, utility bills, and more. Customers can access the tool anytime on their phone, tablet, or computer.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power's online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power's mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.