LADWP Urges All Customers to Reduce Electricity Use from 4 pm-9 pm
LOS ANGELES (September 7, 2022) – LADWP once again urges all customers to conserve energy as much as it is safe to do so during the next few days. A record long heat wave with high nighttime temperatures continued to drive demand for electricity and everyone can play a role in helping to keep the power flowing. During extreme heat events like this, localized power outages can occur from the physical impact that the heat can have on the City’s electrical infrastructure. The strain on equipment is made worse when temperatures remain high overnight, preventing electrical circuits, transformers and other equipment from cooling off. The outages that have occurred in the LADWP service territory during the last several days are due to equipment strain and overloading caused by continuous use, and not caused by supply shortages. LADWP crews worked around the clock in extreme conditions over the Labor Day weekend and the following days, to restore power to affected customers.
At this time, LADWP has enough power generation to meet customer demand within the City of Los Angeles today, while also helping the State of California Independent System Operator (CAISO) as much as possible to help avoid rotating outages throughout the state. LADWP assists CAISO by providing excess generation to the grid made possible through LADWP customer conservation, its own renewable energy resources, and power plants.
“We’re forecasting today’s load for LADWP’s service area to be near record high,” said Martin L. Adams, LADWP General Manager. “To help relieve stress on the statewide grid, we urge all of our customers to conserve as much as they can. Electricity that we don’t need here in LA can help other utilities’ customers across the State of California.
Excess energy provided to the State can help grid operators mitigate the need for rolling blackouts. Rolling blackouts, also known as rotating outages, occur when electricity supplies run low as a result of record demand during times of extreme heat.
STAYING SAFE DURING EXTREME HEAT
During the heat wave LADWP encourages customers to conserve energy, but not at the expense of their health or safety. No customer should shut off their air conditioners because of financial concerns. LADWP has flexible payment plans and is launching a level payment plan in September as part of its “Cool LA” initiative to help customers spread out their seasonal utility bills. Beginning September 12th, customers can call 1-800-DIAL-DWP to sign up for level pay or make extended payment arrangements to help manage their summer utility bills.
CONSERVING ENERGY SAFELY
Customers can help lessen strain on their neighborhood electrical grid by following these energy-saving tips:
- Ventilate your home in the early morning and evening by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate. Close window curtains, shades, or blinds during warmer hours to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight coming indoors.
- Adjust air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work the hardest to cool. If you are away from your home, turn your air conditioning systems off.
- Reduce energy use during the afternoon/early evening hours from 4pm to 9pm when energy use is highest by limiting the use of major appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers during those hours.
- Turn off lights and unplug “energy vampires” like fully-charged cell phones, computers and laptops, charging cables, and other appliances that use energy even when not in operation.
- Avoid using the stove and range if possible, which can help to keep temperatures down indoors.
In case of a power outage, LADWP asks that customers be prepared and stay safe by following some valuable tips below.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT DURING A HEAT WAVE:
See below for outage tips:
- Seek a place to stay safe and cool if the temperatures are unsafe.
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.
- Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone service and your cordless “land line” may also lose power.
- Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
- Turn off and unplug electrical equipment and appliances like computers, televisions and air conditioners, and heat-producing items such as irons or hot plates. This helps to prevent circuit overloading, which could delay restoration of service.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to protect their contents.
- And remember, never touch a downed power line! Stay away and call 911 instead.
REPORTING A POWER OUTAGE & RECEIVING OUTAGE NOTIFICATIONS:
LADWP crews are prepared to respond to any outages and will work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible if and when they occur. You can sign up to receive outage alerts via email and/or text in either English or Spanish for up to three neighborhoods. You must have an online account with LADWP and be the account holder on record to sign up at http://www.ladwp.com/outages to receive outage alerts.
If the power goes out, you can also report it at www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) if you prefer to speak to a customer service representative. Do not assume your neighbors have called to report the outage. It is important for customers to report the outage they are experiencing so LADWP crews have as much information as possible to address the issue.
LADWP also regularly shares outage information via the Nextdoor App and via our newsroom at www.ladwpnews.com.
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