HIGH HEAT, RECORD-BREAKING DEMAND EXPECTED TO RESULT IN TIGHT CONDITIONS
ERCOT requests conservation Thursday & Friday
Sept. 4, 2019 – Consumers and businesses are urged to reduce their electricity use on Thursday, Sept. 5 and Friday, Sept. 6, especially during the hours of 2 to 7 p.m.
Some areas of Texas are expected to see the highest temperatures experienced so far this summer. Temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees in all major Texas metropolitan areas through Sept. 7.
ERCOT set a new September peak demand record on Tuesday, Sept. 3 when demand reached 68,546 MW between 4 and 5 p.m. This is more than 1,500 MW higher than the previous September record set in 2016.
To conserve energy at home, customers should:
- Set thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.; set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home. The optimum energy saving temperature is 78 degrees.
- Use fans to feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler.
- Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight; shut off from 4 – 6 p.m.
- Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
- Avoid using large appliances (i.e. ovens, washing machines, etc.), especially during peak demand hours.
To also increase energy effectiveness at work, business customers should:
- Minimize the use of electricity lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
- Consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.
More conservation tips:
www.ercot.com/about/conservation
How to track electricity demand:
- View daily peak demand forecast, current load and available generation at http://www.ercot.com.
- Follow ERCOT on Twitter (@ERCOT_ISO) and Facebook (Electric Reliability Council of Texas).
- Sign up for the ERCOT mobile app (available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play).
- Subscribe to the Emergency Alerts list on http://lists.ercot.com.
Consumer assistance
Public Utility Commission of Texas Hotline – 1-888-782-8477
