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Cutting down on energy use during a heat wave could help prevent a blackout and will save you money
Publish Date:2010-07-08
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A coworker''s phone rang repeatedly the other day at his apartment in Brooklyn, with the calls coming from an anonymous source. These weren''t crank or prank calls or some annoying telemarketing effort, but rather robocalls from his utility, Con Ed, reminding him and his family to conserve power during the ongoing heat wave in the New York City metropolitan area, part of a band of intense weather that spreads from New England to the Tennessee Valley.
As energy use soars with the scorching heat?on Ed recorded one of its highest usage days yesterday?tility companies are urging their customers to cut back on their electricity consumption, especially during the hottest, highest-demand parts of the day, to lessen stress on the electric grid and to prevent brownouts or a blackout. One day, perhaps the smart grid and smart appliances will make brown- and blackouts things of the past, but for now, follow our advice to cut down on your energy use during a heat wave:
1.Turn off all unnecessary lights. and consider replacing incandescent lightbulbs with higher-efficiency compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which produce less heat and cost less to run. If the power goes out and you end up using candles, follow these tips for safe use.
2.Use your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer late at night or in the early morning. Run full loads.
3.Maintain your air conditioner and change a dirty filter so it runs more efficiently. If you''re in the market for a new A/C, read our latest review of air conditioners and free buyer''s guide and check the ratings (available to subscribers) for models with a high score in our brownout test, which gauges a unit''s ability to run and restart during extreme heat and low voltage.
Also, when the outdoor temperature and humidity are low and comfortable run your whole-house fan?his device is cheaper to operate than air conditioning. Or use portable fans and ceiling fans to create a breeze that will allow you to raise the thermostat on your air conditioner yet stay cool and comfortable. Be sure to shut off the fans when you leave the room. Even after the heat wave breaks, stay cool at home for less.
1.Keep window blinds and shades drawn during the day, a move that should keep your home cooler and maybe even allow you to run your air conditioning less or at a higher temperature.
2.Turn off your computer and other electronic devices when they''re not in use to cut down on standby-power consumption. Read "Tip of the Day: Eliminate the Wasted Watts Caused by Standby Power" for practical advice on reducing electricity waste.
3.Cook outdoors on your gas or charcoal grill. Even if you don''t want to grill food, you can easily use your outdoor cooker as an oven. If you are going to cook indoors, keep the heat down in the kitchen by using your microwave, or cook multiple dishes for a couple days'' meals in your oven at one time.
If you''re concerned about blackouts and want to have backup power at your home, read our review of generators, which includes buying advice, a wattage calculator, and important safety information. Generator ratings are available to subscribers.
Finally, check on older family and friends to be sure they''re coping with the heat and not suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If someone you know doesn''t have air conditioning or there''s a blackout where that person lives, extend an invitation to stay with you. If that''s not possible, get the person to a cooling center in the area.
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