Due to Extreme Heat, Please Reduce Your Electricity Use! Saturday 9/5 – Monday 9/7

The ISO recognizes that reducing energy use during the hot time of the day is a hardship, especially for those working from home or for families with children schooling at home. However, if a large enough number of consumers conserve even in small ways, they can help grid operators avoid more serious system emergencies.

Between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., the ISO is urging consumers to:

  • Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits.
  • Defer use of major appliances.
  • Turn off unnecessary lights.
  • Unplug unused electrical devices.
  • Close blinds and drapes.
  • Use fans when possible.
  • Limit time the refrigerator door is open.

Consumers can also take steps to prepare for the Flex Alert by doing the following before 3 p.m.:

  • “Pre-cool” their homes, or lower air conditioning thermostats.
  • Charge electric vehicles.
  • Charge mobile devices and laptops.
  • Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
  • Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.

For information on Flex Alerts, to get more electricity conservation tips, and to sign up for conservation alerts, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website. Visit the ISO’s News page for more information on the heat wave’s impacts on grid operations, and to learn more about alerts, warnings and emergency notices.

For updates on grid operations, follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO or @FlexAlert, or monitor system conditions in real time at ISO’s Today’s Outlook.

Tips to Reduce Energy Usage and Limit the Potential of Power Outages

Excerpt from Listos California

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, we are asking Californians to reduce energy usage in order to prevent service interruptions.

It’s especially important to limit energy usage from 3 pm to 10 pm, especially air conditioning. 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. Also review this blog post from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) with more steps to take to stay cool and safe this week.

Accessible information in key languages

To help inform and engage more Californians, here are safety tips available in the following languages:

 

Cooling Centers

As you know, this heatwave and need to conserve energy is occurring during a pandemic, so your overall safety is our top concern. This Cal OES blog post includes more information on where to access cooling centers in a safe way.

Update: Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order

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