Gahanna, Ohio - In recognition of Energy Efficiency Day, Ohio Power Company is encouraging customers to take simple steps now to prepare their homes for the cooler months ahead to help save energy and money.

"Energy Efficiency Day is a great reminder that small changes around the house can make an impact on your energy use and electric bill," said Deanna Gilliand, Ohio Power energy efficiency and consumer programs manager. "Whether it's making adjustments to your thermostat, utilizing our free online tools or booking a virtual walkthrough, Ohio Power offers several solutions to help our customers manage their energy usage."

Cold Weather Energy-Saving Tips
When the temperature drops, the demand for energy goes up. Heating your home can get costly, especially when the weather is extreme. Keep your home comfortable while saving with these easy tips:

• Schedule System Maintenance: Schedule an annual inspection of your heating system. This can help identify hidden sources of energy loss, such as loose or broken ductwork.
  
• Seal Air Leaks and Check Insulation: Caulk, weatherstrip and insulate around windows and doors to keep warm air inside and prevent drafts. For example, checking for proper insulation could help an average homeowner save about 15% on heating costs.
  
• Reverse Ceiling Fans: In the fall and winter, your ceiling fan can improve your comfort. Set your ceiling fans to turn clockwise to push warm air down.
  
• Adjust the Thermostat: Set your thermostat to 68 degrees, or whatever setting is safe and comfortable for your family. During winter, your furnace is a major source of energy consumption. Setting your thermostat even a few degrees lower can help save energy and reduce bills. Every 1-degree adjustment over an 8-hour period can help you save about 1% on heating costs.
  
• Maintain Filters and Vents: Change your furnace filter regularly, at least every three months, and keep vents free of furniture or rugs so warm air can circulate properly throughout your home.
  
• Leverage Natural Sunlight: Close your shades at night to retain heat in your home and open them during the day to let sunlight naturally heat your living spaces.

Programs and Tools to Help Customers Save
Beyond DIY tips, Ohio Power offers several free tools and programs designed to help customers improve their home's energy efficiency and save on their electric bills:

• Free Virtual Home Energy Savings Walkthrough: Book a free virtual walkthrough with an Ohio Power energy advisor via smartphone or tablet to find out what is driving your energy usage and receive personalized savings recommendations for your home.
  
• Energy Dashboard: Customers can access this tool by logging into their Ohio Power account. It provides a personalized view of energy usage, helping you identify exactly where and when you're using the most power.
  
• Smart Thermostat Marketplace & Power Rewards: Customers can shop the Ohio Power Smart Marketplace for discounted smart thermostats. By enrolling in Power Rewards, customers receive an instant $75 discount on a new smart thermostat and earn additional incentives for allowing automatic adjustments during times of high energy demand.
  
• Time-of-Use Tariff: This residential electric rate is tiered based on the time of day customers use power. Usage during off-peak periods is charged at a reduced rate, with a higher charge occurring during on-peak hours.
  
• Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tariff: This rate offers residential customers with a plug-in electric vehicle a reduced electric rate on the distribution component of their bill for charging during off-peak times. To enroll in this rate, you must have a smart meter and charge a PEV or hybrid vehicle at your home.

Payment Assistance Options
To help budget for seasonal changes, eligible customers can enroll in the Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan, which spreads the costs of heating and cooling over the year with no settle-up month. Additional assistance programs can be found at OhioPowerCo.com/Assistance.

To learn more about Ohio Power's energy efficiency programs, explore tools or find savings tips, visit OhioPowerCo.com/Save.

Interviews Available: An Ohio Power Company spokesperson is available for interviews to discuss Energy Efficiency Day, seasonal energy-saving tips and customer assistance programs. Media interested in scheduling an interview should contact Ohio Power Media Relations at
614-883-7999 or [email protected].

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About Ohio Power Company

Ohio Power Company is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. Ohio Power provides electricity to 1.5 million customers across 61 counties. News and information about Ohio Power can be found at AEPOhio.com, transitioning Oct. 1 to OhioPowerCo.com.