Save Energy to Help Prevent Service Interruptions
● Over the next week, California and the rest of the West Coast will face a historic heatwave that will put pressure on our energy grid.
● In order to avoid electricity shortages, states like California are asking residents to reduce energy usage in order to prevent service interruptions.
● It’s especially important to limit energy usage from 3 pm to 10 pm. That means your air conditioning, electric car charging and other energy intensive technology. Over cool your home overnight and in the morning in order to stay cool all day.
● Sign up to receive Flex Alert notifications from your utility provider to help California conserve energy during times of grid stress.
Easy Actions You Can Take at Home
● Adjust Your Thermostat
— Set your thermostat at 78° or higher during 3-10PM.
— Pre-cool your home by running air conditioning in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient).
— Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not home.
● Major Appliance Use
—Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, until cooler times of the day.
—Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full.
—Wash clothes in cold water.
—Clean or replace dirty air conditioning filters.
—Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “normal” setting.
● Close Windows and Doors
— In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air out.
— Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air.
● Smart Energy Use
— Turn off unnecessary lights.
— Use lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
— Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
— Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use.
● Conservation Programs
— Consider participating in your utility’s demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility’s program and incentives they may offer to participate.
Downloads and Resources
National Weather Service – See current Watches, Warnings or Weather Advisories https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ca.php?x=1
Cal ISO – Flex Alert downloadable graphics
State of California Heat and Power Contingency
Public Health Extreme Heat Resources
Red Flag and Fire Weather Warnings
Fact Sheets from the CDC on those especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion and stroke.
● People aged 65 and older | Spanish (en español)
● Infants and children | Spanish (en español)
● People with chronic medical conditions | Spanish (en español)
● Low income | Spanish (en español)
● Outdoor workers | Spanish (en español)
● Athletes | Spanish (en español)

This is part of the September 4, 2020 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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