Use Electricity Wisely: O&R Continues Heat Watch Tuesday

PEARL RIVER, NY — Because high temperatures are again predicted for Tuesday, O&R is continuing its Heat Watch into Tuesday, June 13, and is advising its customers to use electricity wisely during this unseasonably hot weather period.

The Heat Watch was declared because Monday’s and Tuesday’s hot weather is expected to drive air conditioning use up higher than normal on both days. That increase is predicted to push demand for electricity on the O&R system past 1,300 megawatts, triggering a Heat Watch.

Monday’s O&R electricity demand was expected to peak at 1,391 megawatts. Tuesday’s O&R electricity demand is predicted to peak at 1,371 megawatts. O&R’s all-time electric demand record is 1,617 megawatts which was set on Aug. 2, 2006.

The Heat Watch advisory means that O&R electric distribution system engineers will be closely monitoring the loads on distribution circuits, transformer banks and other key system components to detect any heat-related issues so any concerns can be addressed immediately. Field crews will be at the ready to respond to any electric system problems as well.

O&R’s top, hot-weather energy tip is a simple one: turn down or turn off air conditioning in empty homes while you are away or at work.

O&R’s message to use electricity wisely aims to:

• Diminish electric system demand and help support service reliability. Every bit of decreased demand helps to keep the system running at an optimal level.
• Help control individual customer electric costs. Customer electric use drives bills. The more you use, the more you pay.

Watch your e-mail for a special brief survey from O&R. The survey will be conducted this summer on very hot days when electric use is at its peak. That information is yet another way for O&R to help make sure that the electric system keeps pace with demand and remains reliable. Please take the survey within 12 hours of receiving the e-mail invitation so that you provide the most accurate and timely information for the day.

O&R advises its customers to take steps through this hot weather period to most efficiently use electricity.