JEFF LEWIS, General Manager
When outdoor temperatures drop, our electricity use increases. That’s because our heating systems run longer and more often to counteract colder temperatures. And since we all tend to use electricity at the same times—in the morning and early evenings—there is a lot of strain on the electric grid.
At Little River Electric Cooperative, we work closely with our local generation and transmission cooperative Central Electric Power Cooperative (Central) in resource and infrastructure planning to ensure you have the power you need. But the electric grid is much larger than Little River and Central.
In winter months, when even more electricity is being used simultaneously across the country, it is possible for electricity demand to exceed supply, especially if an unexpected event like a sudden snow or ice storm occurs. If this happens, the grid operator for our region may call for rolling power outages to relieve pressure on the grid. This is rare, but we saw it happen to other electric utilities in our area in December 2022.
Little River Electric and Central take proactive steps to ensure electric reliability in extreme weather, including regular system maintenance, grid modernization efforts and disaster response planning. But it takes everyone to keep the grid reliable.
To help keep the heat on for you, your family and neighbors, here are a few things you can do to use less energy and save on your monthly bill:
- Select the lowest comfortable thermostat setting and turn it down several degrees whenever possible. Your heating system must run longer to make up the difference between the thermostat temp and the outdoor temp.
- Seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Air leaks and drafts force your heating system to work harder than necessary.
- Stagger your use of major appliances such as dishwashers, ovens and dryers.
- Start the dishwasher before you go to bed and use smaller countertop appliances like slow cookers and air fryers to save energy.
- Ensure that your heating system is optimized for efficiency with regular maintenance and proper insulation.
- Make sure your furnace filter isn’t clogged and dirty. Replace it as needed.
- When possible, use cold water to reduce water heating costs.
- Setting your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees can help you save energy and reduce mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.
- Unplug devices when not in use to eliminate unnecessary energy use. Even when turned off, electronics in standby mode consume energy.
As we face the challenges posed by winter weather, understanding its impact on energy demand is crucial for maintaining a reliable power supply. By adopting energy conservation practices during periods of extreme cold, not only can you save money on your electric bills, but you can also contribute to the resilience of the power grid, keeping our local community warm and connected.
JEFF LEWIS,
General Manager
