Community Corner

Connecticut Heat Wave Taxing Region's Power Supply

The demand for electricity could come close to breaking a record this week.

By Eileen McNamara

The grinding heat and humidity that are expected to last into the weekend could tax New England's power supplies and set a record for electricity demands. 

As folks in the state turn their air conditioners lower to beat the heat New England's electrical grid operator reports that demand for power could come close to breaking a seven-year record.

Marci Blomberg, a spokesman for ISO-New England, which operates the region's power grid, told the Connecticut Mirror there will be enough power to meet demand during this week's heat wave, but that the company may need to buy more power and even ask businesses to reduce their usage.

The last record set for power demand on the grid was 28,130 megawatts in August of 2006, the Mirror reports. Blomberg told the website it could hit 27,900 megawatts by Thursday.

Temperatures across the state are forecast to remain in the mid- to high-90s through Saturday, the National Weather Service says. 

"A large subtropical dome of hot air will expand across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and to the Midwest this week bringing a long duration heat wave to the area. Temperatures will soar through the 90s with heat indices well over 100 degrees," the NWS reports. 

Connecticut Light and Power issue these energy-saving tips:

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Keeping the heat out and the cool in - Sunlight shining in windows adds unwanted summer heat to homes, making it harder to keep indoor air cool. Using blinds, shades or drapes to block the sun can help. And, even without air conditioning, most homes will stay cooler if the windows are closed during the hottest part of the day. Simply close them early and open them again when the outside temperature drops. 

Air conditioners work best in the shade -
 If possible, keep room air conditioners out of the sun. They run much more efficiently when kept cool. Installing one in a north-facing window is usually ideal. If you are shopping for an air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label to ensure the unit is energy efficient.

Raising the temperature lowers the bill -
 Keeping air conditioner thermostats set at a moderate temperature saves energy and money. Because air conditioners also remove humidity from the air, they'll help keep you cool even with a higher temperature setting. 

It's a great time to cook outside - Cooking indoors will heat your home, cooking outdoors won't. Today's gas grills are more than just a way to cook traditional summertime favorites - they make great ovens, too. A closed lid and a properly adjusted temperature can result in a perfectly cooked meal. Many grill manufacturers even list the optimal settings and provide easy recipes right in the owner's manual. 

Fridges and freezers are big-time energy users -
 To make the most of your energy dollars, be sure to vacuum their coils regularly, close their doors quickly and keep them well-stocked. Using jugs of water is a perfect low-cost option to fill empty space. Old refrigerators and freezers typically use three times more electricity than today's energy-efficient models. If that extra fridge or freezer in the basement isn't really needed, consider unplugging it for extra savings.

Conserving energy -
 It's always best to shut lighting and appliances off when not needed.  Incandescent lights, when on, add heat to your home.  Turning lights off when they are not needed will help keep your home cooler. 


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