PORTLAND, Ore. — Temperatures are expected to soar above 100 degrees in the Portland metro area through the weekend after the 4th of July, which means the city's overall demand for electricity is expected to increase.
“More electricity is used by our customers during the summer season than at any other time of the year,” said Curt Mansfield, Pacific Power senior vice president of power delivery. “We encourage customers to take steps now to manage their energy use and take advantage of incentives to increase energy efficiency at home.”
According to local energy companies like Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, the excessive heat can lead to potential power outages and higher energy bills. But customers can help decrease the strain on the electrical grid by taking simple steps.
That's especially important between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. when the demand for electricity reaches its highest point during the summer.
Anyone with air conditioning who can safely do so, should increase the thermostat in the evenings. If temperatures cool down enough for comfort, consider opening windows to allow the cool air from outside to enter indoors. Residents can also keep air moving inside the home with ceiling, window, attic and portable fans.
Avoid using large electrical appliances like ovens, dishwashers and washing machines during peak electricity use periods. Make sure to turn off all unnecessary electrical equipment like home entertainment systems, computers, copiers and lights when they're not in use.
If you charge an electric vehicle at home, consider setting your car to charge during off-peak hours.
PGE said crews will also be on standby throughout the weekend to take care of any unplanned outages.
In addition, PGE and Pacific Power have a wide variety of energy-saving programs available for customers.