Local power companies are urging consumers and businesses to take measures to cut down on electricity consumption during the current heat wave in an effort to keep bills and demand down, officials said Tuesday.
Some of the measures the companies are encouraging are simple, such as lowering blinds when a space is not in use to keep sunlight out.
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One company is taking a more high-tech approach to energy conservation, testing new technology that officials hope will allow customers to better manage their electricity consumption.
Pepco, Baltimore Gas and Electric and Dominion Power are taking action as electricity providers across the country are work to cut energy consumption. Companies want to weaken demand to cut emissions from generating plants and keep costs low.
Pepco spokesman Clay Anderson said demand for electricity in the District and Maryland was up, but has not reached demand peaks from last year.
“We do expect higher demand today because of the increased humidity,” he said. “Today will probably
be the highest demand.”
“We have adequate supplies for any load that we might experience as a result of the extremely high temperatures, Dominion spokeswoman Le-Ha Anderson said.
Anderson urged customers to keep ceiling fans on and blinds down. Increasing the temperature on a thermostat by one degree can cut a bill by up to 5 percent, he said.
Baltimore Gas and Electric spokeswoman Linda Foy said these steps were effective, but cutting electricity consumption is easier with the use of new technologies. The company earlier this year began to incorporate these technologies in their Smart EnergySavers Program.
Under the initiative, the company plans to begin use of smart meters and smart thermostats, allowing customers to track their electricity consumption each day.
“We’re in the middle of the pilot program right now,” she said, adding it is not known when the features would be available. “There’s a lot of stuff out there that’s being considered.”
