JEA offers tips and assistance as Northeast Florida braces for freezing temperatures

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. — As Northeast Florida braces for temperatures to hover below freezing Christmas weekend, JEA is offering assistance and tips for its customers.

According to JEA’s spokesperson, Karen McAllister, the utility company will cease all disconnections between Thursday, December 22, and Monday, December 26th. McAllister recommends customers at risk of disconnection to contact JEA either by calling or visiting their website to learn about their variety of payment arrangement plans and local non profit partners that offer assistance.

McAllister explained that extended severe cold weather can tax the electrical infrastructure and icy conditions can freeze water pipes and service lines. Along with conserving energy whenever possible, she offered the following tips to avoid pipes and services lines freezing in homes and businesses during these colder than normal temperatures.

“For inside faucets, let the water drip slowly,” she said. “And drip outside faucets at five drips per minute. If you’re going away for the holidays, shut off water at the water valve and open cabinet doors underneath your sink.”

She also suggests wrapping exposed pipes and “back flow preventers located outside or in unheated areas.”

McAllister added that it’s important to adjust the thermostat one degree at a time to avoid triggering the systems heat strip which she says can be costly to run. She also suggested leaving the heat on a low setting for customers who won’t be home for the holidays.

For customers needing to report an electric or water outage, McAllister suggests visiting their website or calling 904 665 6000.

McAllister says that JEA is proactively implementing winterization on their generation fleet.

“We are in the process of making plans for generating and purchasing power resources and associated fuel to meet demands under these cold weather conditions,” she concluded. “We are also reviewing emergency plans to be prepared for any situation that may occur during these cold conditions.”

For more information visit by clicking on this link: JEA .

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