JUNE 19, 2008
LA ENERGY DEMAND SPIKES DURING HEAT
LADWP URGES ENERGY CONSERVATION TO REDUCE POWER
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles residents and businesses cranked up their energy use on Wednesday to the second highest demand ever for the month of June, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported today.
The energy peak topped out at 5509 megawatts, making it the second highest June load on record. The record load for June is 5531 megawatts, set on June 28, 2006. The energy demand is expected to be even higher today-more than 5700 megawatts. The all-time record peak demand is 6165 megawatts, set on July 24, 2006.
With hot temperatures expected to continue through Friday, LADWP CEO & General Manager David Nahai urged Angelenos to practice energy-saving measures. “It’s incumbent upon all L.A. residents and businesses to look at ways they can save energy while making sure they do not jeopardize their health and safety.”
Nahai urged residents to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs as a simple way to save energy and money on their electric bill. CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, meaning you don’t have to change them as often. Each CFL that replaces an equivalent incandescent bulb can save more than $50 over its lifetime in reduced energy costs.
He also called on residents to take advantage of LADWP’s rebates on purchasing new energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators and clothes washers. In addition, residents who qualify for the Department’s low income discount rate may qualify for a free, energy-efficient refrigerator by turning in their old, energy guzzling model.
Following are more quick tips to save energy:
Run clothes washers, dishwashers and other appliances in the evening, when the weather is cooler and demand is lower.
Replace your home’s incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to save energy and money.
Turn off lights when not in use.
Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees or higher to reduce energy usage.
Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day – use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
Plant shade trees to keep your home cool and to decrease water runoff.
Replace older appliances with energy-saving products including refrigerators, air conditions, pool pumps, clothes washers and dryers.
For more energy-saving tips and information about LADWP rebates on energy efficient products, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP services about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.
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