CPW customers are asked to call 864-848-5518 to have their pilot lights lit before the cold snap scheduled for this weekend.
Saturday and Sunday low temperatures are forecast for 34 and 35 degrees, respectively. CPW is closed on weekends except for emergency service.
“When we have a cold snap we get inundated with calls,” said Rob Rhodes, CPW city gas manager. “Once temperatures get below 45 – 40, we see a lot of pilot requests.” Low temperatures are forecast below 40 degrees Friday through Monday nights.
Rhodes said the utility has been monitoring forecasts from the natural gas industry. “We are expecting colder than normal weather and wetter than normal in November,” Rhodes said. “We’re expecting similar weather to last year and we’re trying to get ahead of it.”
CPW is coordinating an information blitz with emails, automatic phone calls and social media alerts. CPW customers are asked to call 864-848-5518.
Rhodes said lighting pilot lights include the utility checking for leaks, turning on burner units and checking for carbon monoxide.
“Customers need to know we don’t service furnaces or gas packs,” Rhodes said. “Some residents have new pilot lights and we will light them. But we don’t have the staff to service units.”
Visit CPW for more information.