Norwich Public Utilities issues second power alert of the summer – NBC Connecticut

Norwich Public Utilities has issued an electricity warning for the second time this summer, urging its customers to use energy sparingly over the next three days.

Heat advisories are in effect for most of the state, and NBC Connecticut StormTracker meteorologists are predicting heat indexes, or perceived temperatures, will reach or exceed 100 degrees on Monday, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

“The next three days will be challenging – for our customers and for NPU. But by keeping an eye on energy usage and being aware of the dangers of high temperatures, we are confident we will safely get through this recent heat wave,” said Chris LaRose, General Manager at Norwich Public Utilities. “Public health and public safety go hand in hand, especially during extreme weather.”

The utility company expects high demand for electricity and is urging its customers to use electricity responsibly for two reasons.

They said annual electricity costs are tied to days of “peak demand,” which ISO-New England forecasts could occur on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday this week. By using energy efficiently, customers can help keep overall electricity costs low for NPU and themselves throughout the year, the company said.

The company also said the overall impact on the NPU’s infrastructure would be minimized. By reducing wear and tear on the NPU system over the next few days, these critical devices would be able to cool down more quickly during the early evening hours and overnight, helping to improve overall reliability, the company said.

NPU offers the following energy saving tips:

• Be careful when using air conditioning. Only run a window unit when someone is home. NPU recommends setting a central air conditioner to 72 degrees or higher.
• You may want to wait until after 8 p.m. to use large household appliances such as dishwashers or tumble dryers.
• Limit the use of appliances that generate heat to a minimum before 8 p.m. Computers, curling irons, hair dryers and televisions can all contribute to heating up your home.
• Avoid using the oven for cooking and consider using a stove, microwave or outdoor grill.
• Install energy-efficient lighting that is significantly cooler than conventional lighting. Only about 10 to 15 percent of the electricity consumed by incandescent lamps is used for light – the rest is converted into heat.
• Keep your home out of the sun by installing window coverings to minimize heat gain in your home or business.