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Electricity Demand Increasing Due to Heat but Blue Ridge Electric is Prepared to Meet Demand
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, NC, (June 5, 2008) – As the weather heats up, increased electrical use can be expected. Air conditioners run almost constantly, fans are plugged in and technology is constantly providing us with new gadgets that use electricity.
While electricity demand is up from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation members as temperatures increase this week, the cooperative is continuously coordinating with its wholesale power supplier Duke Energy, and is prepared to meet member demand. “We have adequate reserves to meet the summer electricity demand but it is always a good idea to conserve electricity and be responsible stewards of our resources,” said Renee Whitener, director of public relations.
Conservation tips from Blue Ridge Electric include:
- Setting household thermostats to the highest comfortable level. Closing shades to protect rooms from direct sunlight will help keep homes cooler.
- Washing clothes or running dishwashers during the very early morning hours or after 8 p.m. in order to avoid typical peak electricity usage periods
- Minimize the use of lights. Further, install compact fluorescent lamps in the fixtures you use most. Traditional incandescent lamps produce 10% light and 90% heat.
- Don't use your oven on hot days. Grilling outdoors is fun and will cut down on inside heat!
- Line dry your clothes when possible
- Install shades, blinds, awnings, sun screens or window films on your sunny-side windows.
- Reduce water heater temperatures to 120 degrees
- Clean your air conditioner’s system's filters and coils periodically. A dirty system deteriorates air conditioning performance and increases operating time. Filters should be changed every one to three months and the outdoor coil should be cleaned every year.
- Keep cooled air inside the home. Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows, close the fireplace damper and fill holes and gaps where wiring and pipes enter the house.
- Use kitchen, bath and other ventilation fans only as long as needed. In just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of cooled air.
- Circulate air with ceiling fans. Fans don't actually cool a room – they just cool you – so be sure to switch the fan off when you're not in the room.
- Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Look for the Energy Star label.
Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 72,000 members in Watauga, Caldwell, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Avery and Alexander counties. For more information, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.
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