SHAWANO, WI- As frigid temperatures settle into the area, Shawano Municipal Utilities is reminding residents to take extra safety precautions while heating their homes and preparing for higher winter energy use.
Bruce Gomm, general manager of Shawano Municipal Utilities, said one of the biggest concerns during extreme cold is the use of alternate or supplemental heat sources, such as space heaters, propane heaters, or portable furnaces.
“When people rely on alternate heat, it’s easy to overlook safety precautions,” Gomm said. “That can increase the risk of fires or even carbon monoxide exposure.”
Gomm emphasized the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors, especially during cold snaps when furnaces run longer and gas appliances are under greater strain. Older furnaces in particular can pose a higher risk if not operating properly.
He also noted that extremely cold weather often leads to higher utility usage, as furnaces run more frequently and residents spend more time indoors using lights, televisions, and electronics. While Shawano Municipal Utilities does not provide natural gas service, Gomm said residents should expect both electric and gas bills to rise during prolonged cold weather.
Another common cold-weather concern is frozen water lines. While SMU does not operate the city’s water utility, Gomm said allowing a slow drip or small stream of water can help prevent pipes from freezing because flowing water is less likely to ice over.
From a system perspective, Gomm said SMU’s electrical grid performs reliably in extreme cold, noting that electricity actually flows more efficiently through cold lines than warm ones. However, crews remain alert to equipment affected by low temperatures.
“If you experience an outage, report it right away,” Gomm said. “We understand how critical electricity is in this weather, especially when it comes to heating homes.”
Gomm added that SMU typically sees fewer outages during extreme cold compared to icy or windy conditions, when falling tree branches are more likely to damage power lines.
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