Love is in the air, but balloons shouldn't be

Balloons make for a great Valentine’s Day gift, but if you’re not careful, they can leave you and thousands of others in the dark.

Over 20,000 We Energies customers lost power in 2020 due to balloons contacting our power lines and other equipment. Love may not be a science, but delivering energy is —Mylar balloons that come into contact with power lines act as a conductor, creating a short circuit.

Not only can balloons knock out power, the short circuit from the balloon also can cause power lines to fall to the ground, creating a dangerous situation.

Need an alternative idea to celebrate safely this Valentine’s Day? Here are some ideas:

• Assemble an emergency kit together. Nothing says romance more than being prepared for power outages. Throw in a blanket, flashlight and some battery-powered chargers for your cellphones.

• Cook a simple meal together. Microwaves and slow cookers use less energy than an oven. But if you need to heat things up in the oven, stay efficient by using the oven light and not opening the door to check on your romantic dinner.

• Snuggle safely together. When you’re done using your electric blanket, turn it off to reduce the risk of fire.

• Start a fire together, but don’t forget to open a window. Open-hearth fireplaces draw hot air from your home, sending it up the chimney. Cracking open a nearby window reduces the air drawn into the fireplace and improves efficiency by up to 20%.

• Buy a carbon monoxide (CO) detector together. The risk of CO poisoning is greater during the winter months. Stay safe and install a CO detector.

• Focus on Energy together. Check out our partners at Focus on Energy for instant discounts on energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, smart thermostats and power strips. You may even qualify for a free energy-saving kit.

Where are they now?: Cream Puff

She captured our hearts when she was born last spring, and now, she’s been captured on camera. The peregrine falcon named “Cream Puff” was recently spotted at a nest site at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. 

Cream Puff was one of three chicks who hatched at the Oak Creek Power Plant nest box in May 2020. Voters from across the state named Cream Puff and her siblings after some of our favorite things about Wisconsin. 

Cream Puff was last seen flying away in the spring. Many times, those last flights are the final time we see the falcons, but our peregrine falcon manager’s eagle eye recently spotted Cream Puff on the UW-Oshkosh nest box webcam. He was able to identify her using the band we attached to her leg last spring.

Birders can read the identification bands through binoculars or discover them in photos they take and let us know if they spot one of our falcons out in the wild. It’s always rewarding to see our young peregrines finding their way in the world. 

Stay tuned for the start of the 2021 peregrine falcon nesting season, coming in March. If everything goes well, we’ll meet a brand-new class of chicks and watch them hatch, grow and fly away. 

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-90s, 410 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

Earn an MVP with our energy-saving playbook

Watching the big game this weekend? Our game plan will help customers use energy efficiently with simple plays that can score big savings.

  

Run a reverse on your thermostat

No need to get overheated celebrating every big play. Stay comfortable by turning down your thermostat. Set it to 68 degrees to keep your home warm and manage heating costs. When leaving home or going to bed, set the thermostat back 7-10 degrees, so your furnace isn’t running when no one is around.

Create home-field advantage with fans

Ceiling fans play both offense and defense, cooling in the summer and circulating warm air during the winter. In the winter, run your ceiling fan clockwise on the lowest setting. This pushes warm air down to prevent the thermostat from going up.

Use star-studded devices to counter power drain

Sack wasted power by unplugging devices you’re not using or getting a smart power strip. Energy-sucking devices like video game consoles and coffee makers can increase your monthly bill. Also, if you’re buying a new television, look for an Energy Star model. They use 25% less energy than traditional televisions. 

Call an audible and use the microwave

Microwaves and slow cookers use less energy than an oven, making them great options to warm up small snacks or dishes. If using the oven is best, stay efficient by using the oven light, not opening the door, to check on your gridiron grub.

See other trick plays to run to manage your energy costs on our website.

Keep your family safe with these cold weather tips

With bitter cold temperatures in the forecast, we are encouraging customers to take some simple steps to keep safe and warm.

Be prepared: We have one of the most reliable power grids in the country, but outages in extreme weather can happen. Be prepared for winter power outages by assembling an emergency kit with blankets, flashlights and battery-powered chargers for your cellphones. Also, bookmark we-energies.com on your phone’s web browser to report an outage and get updates on restoration.

Space heater safety: If you plan to use a space heater, do so safely. Only use newer models with safety features like automatic shut-off. Plug the heater directly into the wall. Don’t use extension cords or power strips. Place the heater on a flat surface away from children and pets, and keep it at least 6 feet away from flammable materials like drapes or blankets.

Safe sleeping: Do not take risks with your electric blanket. When you’re not using your blanket, turn it off to reduce the risk of fire. Keep pets away from electric blankets, as their teeth and claws can puncture wire insulation and cause damage.

Prevent carbon monoxide dangers: The risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is greater during the winter months. Stay safe by installing a CO detector, clearing heating vents of any snow and ice, and learning the symptoms of CO poisoning.

Prevent furnace issues: Have your furnace inspected by a qualified technician once a year, and clean or replace furnace filters as needed. If your furnace stops running, contact a qualified heating contractor.

Keep clutter away from furnace: Keep the area around the furnace and water heater free of clutter. Never store flammable liquids near those areas. Taking these steps can help reduce the risk of fire and damage to the furnace.

Oven safety: Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Not only is it inefficient, it could lead to CO poisoning.

Let the sun in: Open the curtains when the sun is out and use the sunlight to help warm your home. Close curtains on windows that don’t face the sun. Close all curtains at night to help retain heat and cut down on drafts from windows.

Earn an MVP with our energy-saving playbook while you back the Pack

As we cheer the Green and Gold toward another title, we can be champions at home, too. Our game plan will help customers use energy efficiently with simple plays that can score big savings.

Run a reverse on your thermostat

No need to get overheated celebrating every big play. Stay comfortable by turning down your thermostat. Set it to 68 degrees to keep your home warm and manage heating costs. When leaving home or going to bed, set the thermostat back 7-10 degrees, so your furnace isn’t running when no one is around.

Create home-field advantage with fans

Ceiling fans play both offense and defense, cooling in the summer and circulating warm air during the winter. In the winter, run your ceiling fan clockwise on the lowest setting. This pushes warm air down to prevent the thermostat from going up.

Use star-studded devices to counter power drain

Sack wasted power by unplugging devices you’re not using or getting a smart power strip. Energy-sucking devices like video game consoles and coffee makers can increase your monthly bill. Also, if you’re buying a new television, look for an Energy Star model. They use 25% less energy than traditional televisions. 

Call an audible and use the microwave

Microwaves and slow cookers use less energy than an oven, making them great options to warm up small snacks or dishes. If using the oven is best, stay efficient by using the oven light, not opening the door, to check on your gridiron grub.

See other trick plays to run to manage your energy costs on our website.

Control your energy costs no matter what winter brings

Wisconsin  winters can be brutal. That’s why we’re sharing these no- and low-cost tips to help you manage your energy costs all season long — no matter how low those wind chills may get.

No cost

• Dial it down: Lower your thermostat when you’re asleep or away. Even a few degrees can make a big difference. 

• Let the sunshine in: Open your shades, blinds and drapes during the day to let in the warmth of the sun. Close them at night to keep the warm air in.

• Check your water heater: If it’s set higher than 120 degrees F, you’re likely using more energy than you need to wash your hands, clean dishes and wash your clothes. 

• Put your ceiling fan to work: Run your ceiling fan clockwise at the lowest speed. This moves the warmer air trapped near the ceiling down and around the room. 

Low cost

• Cover drafty windows: Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame.

• Seal cracks and gaps: Don’t let cold air creep in through poorly sealed windows or doors. Use caulk or weatherstripping to stay comfortable.

• Replace your furnace filter: Dirty filters reduce airflow and make your furnace use more energy. Replace it monthly during the heating season, or buy a high-efficiency filter than can last several months.

• Focus on Energy: Check out our partners at Focus on Energy for instant discounts on energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, smart thermostats and power strips. You may even qualify for a free energy-saving kit!

Keep your family safe with these cold weather tips

Winter can be a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the snow or hibernate indoors, but the cold temperatures can also pose some problems. Use these winter tips to be prepared and to keep yourself and your family safe and warm.

Be prepared: Be prepared for winter power outages by assembling an emergency kit with blankets, flashlights and battery-powered chargers for your cellphones. Save our number to your phone to call if your power goes out: 800-261-5325. 

Keep meters clear: Wipe away winter hazards by keeping meters and vents free from snow and ice. Clear away snow using your hands or a broom — never use a shovel or other sharp object. Remove icicles and snow hanging above the meter, and use caution when shoveling or using a snowblower near the meter.

Space heater safety: If you plan to use a space heater, do so safely. Only use newer models with safety features like automatic shut-off. Place heater on a flat surface away from children and pets. Avoid using extension cords, and keep the heater at least 6 feet away from combustible materials like drapes or blankets.

Safe sleeping: Do not take risks with your electric blanket. When you’re not using your blanket, turn it off to reduce the risk of fire. Keep pets away from electric blankets, as their teeth and claws can puncture wire insulation and cause damage.

Prevent carbon monoxide dangers: The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is greater during the winter months. Be prepared and stay safe by installing a carbon monoxide detector, checking heating vents for blockages and learning the symptoms of CO poisoning.

Prevent furnace issues: Have your furnace inspected by a qualified technician and clean or replace furnace filters as needed. 

Keep clutter away from furnace: Keep the area around the furnace and water heater free of clutter, and never store flammable liquids near those areas. Taking these steps can help reduce the risk of fire and damage to the furnace.

Oven safety: Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Make sure the burner flame on your stove is blue. A yellow flame may indicate the need for an adjustment.