How to best prepare for winter — start now

Pleasant fall temperatures create a false sense of security about the winter challenges ahead. It’s the actions we take now that can determine our preparedness for colder weather in the coming months. Winter’s extreme weather often increases demand on fuel supplies. Fortunately, it’s not too late to prepare for varied scenarios.

Homes and small businesses can navigate winter energy challenges by improving efficiency, reducing uncertainty, and enhancing resiliency.

• Improve efficiency: If your home is drafty or is not efficiently retaining heat, it’s time to replace windows or insulation. Make sure your HVAC and other important appliances are recently serviced with filters changed and ready for the hard work ahead. These steps will help your system operate more efficiently and save money on energy costs.
• Reduce uncertainty: NRG offers smart, proven strategies to reduce energy use without undue complexity. If budget certainty is a concern, plans are available that can help prevent surprises. When winter storms approach, don’t be caught unaware: follow your local news, weather service, and energy provider for alerts and updates. Review our storm preparedness checklist and take appropriate action to ensure you’re ready.
• Enhance resilience: Have a backup plan for when a storm disrupts the power grid and power outages occur. Whether it’s a diesel generator with additional fuel, a solar and battery storage system, or extra wood for the fireplace, an alternative heat source is a vital asset.

Large businesses, corporate offices, and manufacturing facilities should start winterizing by creating an energy emergency preparedness checklist. This will help ensure everyone in the organization knows what to do when severe winter weather strikes. Taking steps to prepare now can help reduce the risk of downtime, lost productivity, and damaged inventory in the future.

How to approach winter from a position of strength:

• Ensure your buildings are energy efficient. Much like homes, businesses and corporate buildings should have windows and insulation inspected for heat retention and integrity. HVAC systems and other office equipment should be checked and upgraded with energy efficient models, as needed.
• Have a plan in place for when your natural gas contract expires. Keep an eye on the market or have a trusted supplier advise you of options. Be sure to discuss layered procurement solutions, as these can optimize your energy budget and allow you to take advantage of opportunities in the market.
• Take the same approach with your electric supply contract. With everything from Fixed Price to Block & Index options, there are supply solutions that match your tolerance for market exposure and risk.
• Explore participating in demand response programs to take advantage of revenue potential and significant cost savings. Although deadlines for registration vary by location, sign up before March 1 to avoid missing incentives.

Approach these as holistic components of an ecosystem, rather than as mutually exclusive activities. Well before winter and during all types of market conditions, we’re here to help customers prepare for the unexpected.

We are experts in powering through both common and unexpected energy challenges — from every angle.

• Our fleet: As long-time generators of energy, we’ve learned the value of looking beyond what’s normal and expected, especially in today’s climate of “100-year storms” occurring more frequently. This makes weather contingency planning, advance fuel-supply procurement, and diligent weatherization of our own energy facilities a priority. Our intense inspection protocols and contingency programs help ensure our operations are ready for winter conditions.
• Our communities: We are active members of the communities where we live and work. This means we accept the unique challenges of each community, regardless of climate or energy supplies, and provide a range of affordable solutions that deliver resiliency through the seasonal extremes. NRG partners with several nonprofits that provide disaster relief and community resources including Saint Bernard Project, Team Rubicon, and the American Red Cross.
• Our employees: Preparedness begins with educating our employees. We host internal information sessions to help with extreme weather preparation and through our companywide NRG Emergency Alert System, we can send emails, text messages, and push notifications about weather, safety, and security events that affect our staff. Our goal is to keep our teams safe so they can share critical information with family, friends, and neighbors.

We’re here to help all our customers gain critical knowledge, plan, and adjust for every season. When extreme weather begins to unfold, visit the NRG Storm Center, where you will find vital information, updated frequently, to keep you apprised of the latest developments.