PSEG Long Island Prepared to Meet Customer Demand in Extreme Heat

Thursday, July 16th

Updated July 27, 2020:

With temperatures of 90 degrees and higher forecasted for today and tomorrow, PSEG Long Island is prepared for the extreme heat and encourages its customers to be ready as well.

PSEG Long Island continues to expect to have enough electric capacity to meet customer demand for the high temperatures and high humidity. While there are no capacity concerns, PSEG Long Island will be activating its voluntary Smart Savers Thermostat program, as necessary, to reduce loading on the system and create future savings for customers.

“The highest level of electric demand this year determines how much power we have to purchase next year. Implementing this voluntary program will potentially lower our peak demand on some of the hottest days,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy for PSEG Long Island. “This will help generate savings for our customers in the future.”

PSEG Long Island’s Smart Savers Thermostat program saves participants money this year and potentially lowers customers’ bills next summer. PSEG Long Island must purchase power in advance, basing the amount on load forecasts and state-mandated capacity requirements that incorporate peak-usage levels from previous years. By reducing peak usage this year, the company lowers the amount of power that must be purchased in advance for next summer.

Approximately 18,500 customers who have elected to participate in this program may experience on- and off-cycling of their central air conditioning systems, or a small increase in temperature, between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. today, July 27, and potentially on subsequent days, depending on the weather.

As an example, the conservation program shaved about 28 MW off peak demand when it was activated on July 30, 2019, reducing by $1.65 million the cost of power capacity PSEG Long Island purchased for this year. Activating the Smart Savers Thermostat program also allows PSEG Long Island to maintain an up-to-date assessment of the program’s capability to reduce demand on peak load days.

To limit the impact of hot weather and better manage electric usage, use power as efficiently as possible to keep cool and keep energy costs down. PSEG Long Island recommends the following tips for customers:

– Run major appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, and pool pumps in the morning or late evening to avoid peak demand hours of 2 to 8 p.m.
– Put air conditioners on timers and don’t let them run when not at home
– Set air conditioners at 78 degrees or higher if health allows
– Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use
– Make sure you have replaced filters and that A/C coils are clean
– Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures

High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. PSEG Long Island has significant resources available and will address outages as quickly and safely as possible. Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800-490-0075.

 

Updated July 20, 2020:

With temperature continuing upwards of 90 degrees forecasted for today and tomorrow, PSEG Long Island is prepared for the extreme heat and encourages its customers to be ready as well.

PSEG Long Island continues to expect to have enough electric capacity to meet customer demand for the high temperatures and high humidity. While there are no capacity concerns, PSEG Long Island is planning to activate its voluntary Smart Savers Thermostat program to reduce loading on the system, which helps create future savings for customers.

“Implementing the voluntary program will potentially reduce load requirements by lowering the peak demand on some of the hottest days,” said Michael Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewable energy for PSEG Long Island. “This will help generate savings for customers in the future.”

PSEG Long Island’s Smart Savers Thermostat program saves participants money this year and potentially lowers customers’ bills next summer. PSEG Long Island must purchase power in advance, basing the amount on load forecasts and state-mandated capacity requirements that incorporate peak-usage levels from previous years. By reducing peak usage this year, the company lowers the amount of power that must be purchased in advance for next summer.

Approximately 18,500 customers who have elected to participate in this program may experience on- and off-cycling of their central air conditioning systems, or a small increase in temperature, between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m.

The conservation program was last activated on July 30, 2019, resulting in about 28 MW of reduction in peak demand and $1.65 million in reduced capacity costs for this year. Activating the Smart Savers Thermostat program also allows PSEG Long Island to maintain an up-to-date assessment of the program’s capability to reduce demand on peak load days.

To limit the impact of hot weather and better manage electric usage, use power as efficiently as possible to keep cool and keep energy costs down. PSEG Long Island recommends the following tips for customers:

Run major appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, and pool pumps in the morning or late evening to avoid peak demand hours of 2 to 8 p.m.

Put air conditioners on timers and don’t let them run when not at home

Set air conditioners at 78 degrees or higher if health allows

Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use

Make sure you have replaced filters and that A/C coils are clean

Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures

High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. PSEG Long Island has significant resources available and will address outages as quickly and safely as possible. Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800-490-0075.

Updated July 16, 2020:

The upcoming forecast consists of rain and possible thunderstorms for Friday and temperatures of 90 degrees and above for Saturday, Sunday and the beginning of next week. PSEG Long Island is prepared for any weather and to meet the increased electrical demand that high temperatures bring.

“PSEG Long Island has been working nonstop over the past six years to increase the electric infrastructure’s resilience to extreme weather. When the pandemic struck, we developed new, safe work procedures and continued to upgrade the system to increase reliability and meet the rise in electrical demand that high temperatures bring,” said John O’Connell, vice president of Transmission and Distribution Operations, PSEG Long Island. “We would also like to remind customers of the importance of personal safety in times of high heat.”

During extreme heat conditions, customers should:

Seek out air-conditioned spaces if their homes become too warm.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

Avoid wearing dark colors because they 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.

High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages. PSEG Long Island will have additional personnel available to address outages safely and as quickly as possible.

Stay connected:
Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more
To report an outage and receive status updates via text, text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or visit us online at www.psegliny.com/outages
To report an outage or downed wire call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 800-490-0075 or use our web chat feature at www.psegliny.com
Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm
Visit PSEG Long Island’s outage information across Long Island and the Rockaways online at https://mypowermap.psegliny.com

As a reminder, the safety of PSEG Long Island’s customers and employees is the company’s top priority. We ask that customers remain in their homes while crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews, we ask that they practice responsible “social distancing” and remain at least 6 feet away to ensure the health of everyone involved. For more information about how PSEG Long Island continues to live up to its commitments during the pandemic, please visit www.psegliny.com/covid19.

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 recommends the following tips for 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.)

PSEG Long Island energy efficiency programs provide residential and commercial customers with tools to lower energy use and save money. For information on PSEG Long Island energy saving programs and tips visit https://www.psegliny.com/savemoney.