Conservation is Key During Record High Heat

With Southern California in the midst of record high temperatures that have continued for multiple days, electrical equipment is straining from the high demand, mostly due to all-day air conditioning, with little down time to cool and recover.

Southern California Edison is encouraging customers to conserve energy, where possible, to help avoid possible outages caused by the continuous extreme heat.

"The electric grid has been performing well, but we are now in day four of extreme high temperatures. Equipment has been running without much of a break due to the high demand from our customers," said Tom Jacobus, SCE principal manager of Business Resiliency. "One way to help reduce strain on the grid is for all of us to conserve energy by setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and running major appliances after 9 pm."

SCE customers are encouraged to conserve energy to help reduce strain on the electric grid and access rebates, programs and other energy-saving tools.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ernesto Sanchez

Temperatures will remain 10 to 20 degrees above average through Monday. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for portions of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino counties through 10 p.m. on Monday. Temperatures of up to 114 degrees are possible in some areas. Starting on Tuesday, areas may begin to see cooler temperatures.

Customers are encouraged to set thermostats at 78 degrees when at home, use blinds and disconnect devices that are not being used. SCE customers can also access rebates, programs and other energy-saving tools at energy-saving tips. Customers can check the latest outage information.

SCE customers can get the latest information using the outages app at sce.com/outages. Various counties have cooling centers and you can also get information and updates by visiting: sce.com/staysafe. If customers see a downed power line, stay away and call 911 or SCE at 800-611-1911.

Here are some other ways customers can conserve energy:

• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or "off" when you are away.
• Cook with a grill outside, or microwave, to keep your home cooler.
• Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans.
• Shut off lights when leaving a room.
• Close your blinds to keep out the afternoon heat.
• Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in many homes.
• Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use.
• Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use.
• Give your dryer a break and hang-dry your clothes.
• When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work to morning or late evening hours.