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-Editorial
The Imperial Irrigation District has issued an energy Conserve Alert for the upcoming weekend as the National Weather Service has forecasted an excessive heat watch for the IID service area.
The IID Conserve Alert will be in effect from the morning of Saturday, July 1, through 9 p.m. Monday, July 3. The alert is a call to consumers to voluntarily conserve energy when demand for power could outstrip supply. These alerts generally occur during heat waves when electrical demand is high.
The excessive heat watch calls for a period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, with afternoon temperatures ranging from 109 to 117 degrees Fahrenheit.
While IID carefully plans ahead for summer conditions, and the power grid typically has ample reserves to satisfy demand around the clock, IID encourages its customers to voluntarily act to conserve energy during these intense periods of the high heat as conservation takes stress off the local grid and can help avoid power outages.
“While we do not anticipate any generation resource shortages, by issuing a Conserve Alert, we ask our customers to do what they can to keep cool while helping the local electric grid,” said Jamie Asbury, IID Energy manager. “We are appreciative of everyone who helps us conserve.”
Energy conservation takes stress off infrastructure, helps maintain reliable energy delivery, and can reduce customers’ monthly electric bills.
IID encourages customers to keep cool this summer while helping the local electric grid by:
- Setting air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees, or higher, when home. When leaving home, adjust your thermostat to a higher temperature.
- Avoiding the use of major appliances (dishwashers, washers, dryers, ovens, pool pumps, applicable industrial equipment, charging electric vehicles, etc.) between the hours of 4-9 p.m.
- Turning off unnecessary lights.
- Unplugging, or turning off, electrical devices that are not being used.
- Keep blinds and drapes closed to prevent the sun from heating up the home.
- Use floor or ceiling fans when possible, however, turn fans off when you leave a room as they only cool people, not spaces.
