No public utility company which furnishes gas or electricity for space heating shall, during the calendar months of October, November, December, January, February and March, terminate or cut off service to any residence or other building at the request of a customer unless:
     (a) the customer making the request identifies himself or herself as the owner of the residence or other building or provides reasonable assurance that the owner or the agent thereof has been notified of the request; or
     (b) the public utility company has made a reasonable effort to ascertain the owner or the agent thereof and to notify such owner or agent of the request; or
     (c) more than 24 hours has elapsed from the time the request was received by the public utility company.