Heat Pushes Power Grid

Summer power use typically peaks between 3 – 9 p.m. During these periods, PGE encourages residential customers to take the following actions as safety allows:

  • If you have air conditioning (AC), use your thermostat to manage temperatures carefully.
    • Turn the thermostat up a few degrees to help reduce power consumption.
    • If temperatures cool down enough for comfort, consider turning the AC off at night and opening windows (if you can do so safely) to cool with outside air. 
    • During daytime hours, run the AC only when you are at home and keep daytime temperatures at the highest comfortable level. Cool only rooms lived in. 
  • Avoid using large electrical appliances like ovens, dishwashers and washing machines during peak morning and evening electricity use periods.
  • If you charge an electric vehicle at home and are not enrolled in PGE's Smart Charging program, consider setting your car to charge during off-peak hours.
  • Turn off all unnecessary electrical equipment like home entertainment systems, computers, copiers and lights when not in use.
  • Learn more energy saving tips at portlandgeneral.com/tips.

PGE employees are working to address or prevent potential heat-related equipment issues and lower energy demand, including:

  • Taking technical precautions to help keep essential distribution equipment from overheating.
  • Assigning extra crews to make sure we can quickly and effectively respond to any outages. 
  • Activating the Peak Time Rebate and Smart Thermostat programs. 
  • Encouraging commercial and industrial customers to reduce electricity use.

The high heat means customers are using more electricity to cool their homes and businesses. High demand places extra stress on electrical equipment, and that can lead to power outages. That is why it is important to be prepared. 

  • Have an outage kit with needed supplies ready just in case.
  • If you rely on electricity for your health and you are not yet a part of the PGE medical certificate program, call to enroll.
  • Think about food safety – make extra ice by freezing water in plastic bags so you can keep food cold if needed. Have thermometers in your fridge and freezer to monitor for safe temperatures and have foods on hand that do not require cooking or cooling.

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Source: PGE

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