Aug. 23, 2023 – The National Weather Service’s excessive heat watch continues as temperatures could reach record-setting levels today. The watch is set to expire Thursday at midnight, though temperatures on Friday are expected to be low to mid-90s. Heat indices today and Thursday are again expected to reach 110 degrees or higher in some portions of OPPD’s service territory; they could go as high as 110 on Friday.
OPPD’s regional transmission organization, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) issued a Conservative Operations Advisory on Monday and has extended it until Friday evening. The graphic below illustrates SPP’s levels of grid conditions.
A Conservative Operations Advisory is issued whenever SPP determines there is a need to operate its system conservatively based on weather or other factors. The advisory does not call for the public to conserve energy.
However, during extreme weather situations like this extended heat wave or arctic conditions in the winter, conserving energy can help ensure reliable power and help you save on your power bill.
The following steps can help you keep your utility bills low and support power reliability:
If using an air conditioner, adjusting thermostats up a few degrees.
- Use dampers on ductwork to balance airflow in your home if one room is colder or warmer than another.
- Closing registers should be a last resort if dampers are not available.
- Seal external doors and windows with weather stripping – and close shades during the day.
- Avoid washing and drying clothing or running dishwashers in the hottest parts of the day.
- Avoid “phantom” power loss:
- Switch desktop computers and monitors to sleep mode when not in use, or just shut them off entirely.
- Unplug electronics like televisions or cable boxes, if possible, when not in use.
- Use a central power strip that allows you to easily turn off multiple devices at once.
We know that electricity is critical on days like these. That’s why OPPD holds over an additional team called a “heat crew,” when the heat index rises to 95° or above. This team acts as support beyond normal working hours, into the evening as needed. They support the crew that’s already assigned to this shift. We also ensure we have support staff working in our storeroom, to provide equipment that may be needed to complete repairs.
The heat causes extra wear and tear on OPPD’s infrastructure. That’s why we take added steps to help ensure reliable service when customers need it most. We conduct regular maintenance to help prevent equipment failure. And during hot weather like this week’s, our crews postpone jobs that involve shifting electric loads to avoid overworking the system more than necessary.
You can read more about the impacts of heat on our electric system, and how we address them, here on OPPD’s The Wire. For seasonal energy efficiency tips, please visit OPPD.com/ee.
