As the chilly days and nights of winter return, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) reminds consumers without use of a central heating system or using a potentially unsafe heating source in their homes to call about programs to help restore natural gas or electric service, and to respond to utility representatives who try to reach them during the Commission’s Cold Weather Resurvey, which runs through the end of this month.

“Do not delay. Do not try to find alternative sources of heat. The utility may have programs. They certainly can point people in the right direction to get people the right assistance, but if you don’t call or contact the utility, there is no way that those services and that help can be provided,” said PUC Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner in a video news release.

The PUC urges consumers to respond to attempts by the utility to contact consumers. Do not be afraid to answer your phone or door. As part of the annual Cold Weather Resurvey, the utility or its representative must make four attempts to contact consumers who are known to be without heat-related utility service. The attempts may include telephone calls, letters and personal visits to the residence and are done on different days of the week and different times of the day. If the first three contacts are unsuccessful, the PUC requests that the fourth attempt be an in-person visit to the residence.

Consumers should call their utility first to make arrangements to pay their bill. If they are unable to reach an agreement with the utility, the PUC may be able to provide assistance. The PUC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

In December 2012, the PUC released the results of its annual Cold Weather Survey, which showed that about 15,983 households will enter the winter season without heat-related utility service compared to 17,475 this time last year.

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code, the state’s electric and natural gas distribution companies under the PUC’s jurisdiction must survey residential properties where service has been terminated in 2012 and has not been reconnected during the course of the calendar year. The survey assesses the number of households without heat-related service entering the winter months. Some households may be without both electric and natural gas service, resulting in a double-counting of some households.