Millbrae Residents Urged To Conserve Power As Heatwave Continues This Week

Press release from the City of Millbrae:

August 17, 2020

Many power companies throughout California are urging customers to conserve energy to help prevent the need for rotating outages. PG&E is forecasting the heatwave to get even hotter and continue through Wednesday night.

Conservation is critical to help reduce the need for the California Independent System Operator to direct the State's utilities, including PG&E, to implement rotating outages in order to reduce load. With the weather forecasted to be even hotter, PG&E urges customers to be prepared for power outages.

Separate from the impact on rotating outages, conservation is also the best way to prevent stress and strain on the local power grid, helping to reduce other heat-caused power outages. PG&E strongly urges all customers to conserve energy through Wednesday by:

• Raising the Thermostat: Cool homes and use air conditioners more during morning hours. Set the thermostat to 78 degrees when at home during the rest of the day, health permitting. Turn it up to 85 degrees or turn it off when not at home.
• Using a Ceiling Fan: Turn on a ceiling fan when using the air conditioner, which will allow the thermostat to be raised about 4 degrees to save on cooling costs with no reduction in comfort. Turn off fans and lights when you leave the room.
• Avoiding Using the Oven: Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave or grill outside.
• Keep the Fridge Closed: Limiting the opening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in most homes. The average refrigerator is opened 33 times a day.
• Cleaning Clothes and Dishes Early or Very Late: Use large energy-consuming appliances like washing machines and dishwashers earlier in the day or late at night after 10:00 pm.

PG&E does not anticipate initiating any Public Safety Power Shutoff events this week. Any power outages that occur during this hot spell are not PSPS events.

Staying cool and hydrated is going to be essential for many people this week. Due to COVID-19, many people are forced to stay at home. Here are some tips to help keep yourself and your home cool during high temperature days:

• Pre-Cool Your Home: Pre-cool your home to 72 degrees overnight and in the morning. Adjust you’re A/C thermostat to 78 degrees from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., health permitting.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even when you are not thirsty.
• Cover windows: Cover your windows by closing your blinds or drawing your curtains. Use shade coverings and awnings so the air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool the home.
• Stay cool: Take a cool shower or bath and wear lightweight, loose, light-colored clothing.
• Stay safe: Stay out of direct sunlight and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

This press release was produced by the City of Millbrae. The views expressed here are the author’s own.