O&R: Preserve Energy, Issues Heat Alert

It's hot out there, maybe too hot. For the second consecutive day, the weather forecast has prompted O&R to declare a Summer Heat Alert for Wednesday, July 18.

To fight the heat, there's heavy air conditioning use and high electric demand, so O&R is expecting that their electric system will be pushed to a peak high demand for electricity of 1,515 megawatts on Wednesday. Tuesday's peak is forecasted to reach 1505 megawatts. O&R's all-time electric peak demand record is 1,617 megawatts which was set on August 2, 2006.

The Heat Alert means that O&R upgrades its readiness to make emergency repairs with higher than normal crew and management staff levels through the day and into the evening hours. Field crews are focusing primarily on emergency work, with scheduled work being performed as system conditions permit.

O&R also will institute electric load reduction measures at its own facilities. O&R urges the public to take steps to most efficiently use electricity:

• Turn down or off air conditioning in empty homes while you are away or at work. 
• When using your room air conditioner, close doors to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
• If you have central air conditioning, block the vents in unused or vacant rooms.

If you experience problems with your electric service, please call O&R at 1-877-434-4100.