National Heat Awareness Day 2021

Friday, May 28th

May 28 is National Heat Awareness Day. PSEG Long Island is reminding customers to prepare for high heat days as the summer approaches. PSEG Long Island is prepared to meet the increased electrical demand that high temperatures bring.

“PSEG Long Island prepares all year long to provide our customers with the best service possible during extreme conditions by updating and maintaining the electric infrastructure,” said John O’Connell, vice president of Transmission and Distribution Operations, PSEG Long Island. “There has been a shift in weather patterns over the last few years toward higher temperatures. It is also important for families to plan for high heat and personal safety.”

During extreme heat conditions, customers should:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Avoid wearing dark colors. Dark colors absorb the sun’s rays.
Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, “on average, extreme heat has killed more people in the last 10 years than any other weather phenomena.” The NWS encourages people to remember the acronym HEAT – Hydrate. Educate yourself. Act quickly. Take it easy.

Customers on qualifying life-support equipment can register for the PSEG Long Island Critical Care Program to receive enhanced notifications from the company. During severe weather, registered customers will receive additional outreach from PSEG Long Island. Customers who rely on such equipment are responsible for planning ahead to meet medical needs in the event of a power outage. If power is lost, every effort will be made to restore it as soon as possible. Participation in the Critical Care Program does not guarantee priority power restoration. To register call 1-800-490-0025.

High temperatures can also lead to higher energy use, resulting in higher electric bills. To help save energy and money this summer, PSEG Long Island offers the following tips to customers:

Do not cool an empty house. Set your thermostat higher when you are away, or use a smart thermostat to control the temperature in your home. Customers can receive an incentive on qualifying thermostats for enrolling in PSEG Long Island’s Smart Savers Thermostat program, which can be used to control usage during peak summer days. Visit https://www.psegliny.com/efficiency for more details.

Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping.

Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder.

Operate appliances in the morning or evening when it is cooler outside.

Set refrigerators and freezers to the most efficient temperatures.

Replace old appliances with new energy efficient ENERGY STAR® appliances.

Close blinds and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.

Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning. (In hot weather, set your ceiling fan to spin quickly, counterclockwise to push air downward toward the floor.).

Extreme temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered, heat-related outages. Customers can prepare by keeping PSEG Long Island’s contact information handy. During extreme heat, PSEG Long Island will have additional personnel available to address outages safely and as quickly as possible.