O&R Asks Customers to Conserve During Nyack Heat Alert

Temperatures are expected to top 97 degrees in Nyack, leading the National Weather Service to declare a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) is asking its customers to conserve their energy use during high demand periods.

“The continued sizzling heat and stifling humidity are driving exceptionally heavy air conditioning use and its accompanying high electricity demand,” reads an O&R press release.

Click here for more information on the heat advisory, and here for tips on how to prevent heat related illnesses.

The utility company expects to deliver 1,482 megawatts of electricity to its customers Monday, with its all-time peak usage coming in at 1,617 megawatts on Aug. 2, 2006. O&R issues its own heat alert if the usage is over 1,500 megawatts for the day, or if the heat index reaches more than 100 degrees for two days.

“O&R urges the public to take steps to most efficiently use electricity today, including turning down or turning off air conditioning in empty homes while you are away or at work,” the press release says. “When using your room air conditioner, close doors to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. If you have central air conditioning, block the vents in unused or vacant rooms.”

O&R crews will be in the field performing emergency work and scheduled work, while its engineers and operators are monitoring systems and taking other precautions for heat-related issues before they become problems. 

O&R customers can call 1-877-434-4100 for service problems.

Check out more tips from O&R below on how to use electricity wisely during the heat:

• Set the thermostat of your central air conditioner at 78 degrees F or higher to achieve maximum savings on your cooling costs.  Setting the room temperature on the air conditioner at 75 degrees costs about 15 percent more. A 72-degree setting costs about 30 percent more than the 78-degree setting.

• Install a timer or clock thermostat on your air conditioner so you can program it to operate and shut-off at pre-determined hours so you won’t be running the air conditioning all day in an empty house.

• If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, block off the vents for un-used rooms.

• Plan cooking, baking or other household activities that produce heat and humidity for the cooler times of the day and night.

• Use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate the pre-cooled air in your air-conditioned home. A fan uses about 90 percent less energy than an air conditioner.

• In very humid weather, adjust your air conditioner’s fan to a low setting. It’ll take longer for the air conditioner to cool your home, but your unit will bring in steamy air at a slower rate and make you feel more comfortable.

• As the sun moves from east to west during the day, pull your curtains and shades on windows to block out the heat.

• Cover liquid items in the refrigerator. They give off humidity that forces the refrigerator to use more energy.

• Place the most used items in the refrigerator in one place so that the door will be open for a shorter period of time.