PSEG Long Island Prepared to Meet Customer Demand in Extreme Heat

Wednesday, July 17th

PLANS TO ACTIVATE VOLUNTARY AIR CONDITIONER CYCLING PROGRAM TO CREATE SAVINGS FOR CUSTOMERS

(Uniondale, NY – July 17, 2019) — With temperatures upwards of 90 degrees forecasted for the rest of the week and into the weekend, 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 45,000 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 Aug. 29, 2018 resulting in about 51 MW of reduction in peak demand and $2.8 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.

Stay connected:

To report and receive status updates on an outage Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or to report an outage online visit www.psegliny.com.

To report an outage or downed wire call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 800-490-0075.

Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter to report an outage and for updates before, during and after any major weather event

Visit PSEG Long Island’s outage map to view outage information across Long Island and the Rockaways at https://outagemap.psegliny.com/