PSE&G: Consumers Can Help Prevent Power Outages This Summer

Because the state of New Jersey has experienced a large number of power outages since last night -- including in -- PSE&G is currently reminding customers to conserve energy whenever possible to prevent further outages. They recommend using electricity wisely and only when necessary.

When temperatures reached 108 degrees in Newark yesterday, the unofficial peak demand of power was 10,883 megawatts at 3:00pm. That number, according to PSE&G, is shy of the all-time peak of 11,108 megawatts set in August 2006.

   PSE&G offers the following tips to customers during a heat wave:

• Turn off everything you’re not using, including TVs and computers.
• If health conditions permit, raise your air conditioner to 78 degrees. You can save 3 to 5 percent on air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. Use fans to circulate air. Portable and ceiling fans use a tenth of the electricity of an air conditioner and can make 78 degrees feel cooler than it actually is.
• Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to block summer light and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms.
• Check to ensure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans, which will enable cooled air to circulate more frequently.
• Cook and use other heat-generating appliances in the early morning and late evening hours whenever possible.

If you experience a power outage, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also monitor restoration progress by signing up and following reports on the company's PSEGoutageinfo Twitter channel at http://twitter.com/psegoutageinfo.