NYSEG and RG&E have taken measures to prepare the energy grid for the increased customer usage that typically accompanies extreme heat, driven largely by the use of air conditioning. These measures include round-the-clock monitoring of customer demand; thermal inspection of overhead lines; and readying crews and equipment to respond to localized service issues.
The extreme heat, and the increased customer usage that accompanies it, can put additional strain on the energy grid, especially transformers. NYSEG, RG&E and contractor crews have been deployed and are currently addressing intermittent outages throughout New York.
The Companies are also monitoring weather forecasts in advance of potential severe thunderstorms and heavy winds throughout the State. The Companies will continue to ready crews and equipment throughout the July 4 holiday, including scheduling workers on July 4, having support staff prepared if outages occur, and making arrangements for additional line resources if needed.
“We continually maintain our energy delivery system so it can handle the demands that summer weather can bring, including extended periods of extreme heat and severe storms,” said Patricia Nilsen, Director of Emergency Preparedness at AVANGRID. “We also partner with our customers to promote energy efficiency, which helps the Company reduce energy consumption during periods of hot weather and our customers to manage their energy costs. That said, customers who are elderly or have health issues should ensure they take steps to stay cool during this period of high temperatures.”
- Here are some hot-weather conservation and safety tips.
- During daylight hours, close curtains or shades to reduce penetration of heat into the home.
- Convert to efficient LED lights, which are up to 90 percent more efficient and yield significantly less heat than conventional incandescent bulbs.
- Make sure air-conditioner filters are clean and debris has been removed.
- Set your thermostat to a slightly warmer temperature if health permits. A suggested range is 74 to 78 degrees.
- Turn off air conditioners when leaving home for an extended period, such as multiple days.
- On cool nights, give the air conditioner a break. Open windows and use ceiling or room fans.
- Turn off ceiling fans when you’re not in the room.
- Whenever possible, delay using major appliances such as pool pumps, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers until after 8 p.m.
- Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
