LOS ANGELES (August 29, 2017) — As Los Angeles weathers through high temperatures this week, a statewide Flex Alert has also been issued today between 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) urges customers to reduce energy use where possible while staying safe and comfortable. By conserving, customers can help reduce the strain on the power grid and minimize the risk of power outages in their neighborhood. Power demand rises during heat waves as more customers operate air conditioners all at once, causing other appliances to work harder in order to perform and increasing the strain on neighborhood power distribution equipment.
LADWP offers customers the following highly effective energy conservation measures:
- Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work hardest to cool.
- Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day- use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
- Close draperies, shades or blinds during the heat of the day to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight.
- Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
- Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
- Unplug “energy vampires” like cell phone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens and other appliances that use energy even when turned off or in sleep mode.
LADWP forecasts a peak demand of 5,811 megawatts (MW) today, which would be a record high for 2017. The all-time peak demand is 6,396 MW reached in September 2014. Currently, approximately 435 customers out of 1.4 million are without power citywide due to local issues on the distribution system. LADWP crews are working round-the-clock and at the ready to respond to any power outages and customer calls reporting service interruptions.
To report any loss of power, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP. To check status of outages, see www.ladwp.com, or follow LADWP on Twitter @LADWP.
For more energy-saving tips, visit www.ladwp.com/EEtips. To read the City of Los Angeles’ Hot Weather Bulletin and for a list of cooling centers, see http://emergency.lacity.org/heat.
# # #
