Madison Residents Asked To Conserve Energy Amid Heat Advisory

MADISON, NJ — Madison residents are being asked to reduce electricity use during afternoon and early evening hours Thursday and Friday as extreme heat pushes energy demand higher across the region.

Borough officials said the electric grid serving Madison is expected to experience very high demand between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., the period when electricity use typically peaks during summer heat waves.

The request comes as the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Morris County and much of New Jersey through 8 p.m. Friday. Heat index values could reach as high as 103 degrees.

Madison Electric officials said reducing electricity use during peak demand periods can help lower costs for the borough and reduce stress on the regional power grid managed by PJM Interconnection, which oversees electricity transmission across New Jersey and 12 other states.

According to the borough, annual capacity charges are based on electricity consumption during the highest-demand summer days, typically between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. Those charges currently total about $3 million annually for Madison Electric.

Residents are encouraged to take several steps to reduce consumption during peak hours, including:

• Turning off unnecessary lights and electronics and unplugging charging devices.
• Waiting until after 7 p.m. to run major appliances such as dishwashers and electric clothes dryers.
• Scheduling electric vehicle charging after 11 p.m.
• Raising air-conditioning thermostat settings to about 77 degrees.
• Closing blinds, curtains and drapes to keep indoor spaces cooler.
• Adjusting electric hot water heaters to vacation mode.

Officials also suggest pre-cooling homes before peak demand begins by lowering thermostat settings around noon and gradually increasing temperatures during the afternoon.

The National Weather Service warns that hot temperatures and high humidity could lead to heat-related illnesses. Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, avoid prolonged sun exposure and check on relatives and neighbors.

Some showers and thunderstorms may provide localized relief later Thursday and Friday, forecasters said, but humid conditions are expected to persist until a cold front arrives this weekend.

Residents can learn more about Madison's peak demand reduction efforts at https://bit.ly/peakm or by visiting the Borough of Madison website.

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