" PECO urges customers to weatherize and to seek assistance, if necessary PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Even though Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early Spring, nothing can stop the cold winter weather that is expected to arrive early next week. So, it's not too late for PECO's customers to weatherize their homes and save money for the rest of the winter heating season. PECO also encourages its customers who need help to take advantage of the company's assistance programs. Low and fixed-income customers who need help paying their winter heating bills should apply for the LIHEAP grants. LIHEAP is a Federal program that provides cash and crisis assistance to qualifying individuals. Local residents can call PECO's LIHEAP hotline at 1-800-34-HELP-4 (or 1-800-344-3574) for more information or an application. For those not eligible for assistance programs: Consider PECO's new energy saver kit for supplies to help insulate, prevent heat loss, and save energy. The energy saving kit could save customers between $125 and $250 per year, and is available at "

" for $25 plus shipping and handling. The kit includes: -- Energy saving information that can help homeowners save money around the house through weatherization and energy and water conservation strategies; -- Kitchen and bathroom sink and shower aerators are practical, easy to install and are great to help save hot water; -- Two rolls of foam weather-stripping to seal drafts in doors and windows; -- Polyethylene tape to weatherproof and seal cracks in windows; and -- Four switch and eight outlet insulators that fill the empty space behind wall switches and outlets to prevent drafts. Visit PECO's new online Web store for discounted energy saving kits and energy saving products. The web store, which is located at "

" offers homeowners valuable energy saving information, weatherization tools, educational materials, safety products, discounts for PECO customers to purchase energy efficient products, such as air cleaners, humidifiers, space heaters, programmable thermostats, fans, lights and electricity meters. The company does not profit from any of the online sales, but is offering its customers another way to save money this winter by reducing their home energy usage. Budget billing makes short-term fluctuation in monthly bills much easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year. Call 1-800-494-4000 or visit "

" for energy efficiency tips and additional information on budget billing. PECO's Home Energy Saving Tips -- On the coldest days, the potential for heat loss is the greatest. Prevent costly heat loss by sealing drafts around windows and doors with caulk, weather stripping, or draft stoppers. -- Keep the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use.
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