May 20, 2008
LA ENERGY DEMAND SETS NEW RECORD FOR MAY
LADWP URGES ENERGY CONSERVATION TO REDUCE POWER
LOS ANGELES – The heat wave that hit LA over the weekend sparked record-setting energy demand on three consecutive days ending Monday, prompting the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to urge residents and businesses to take action now, before more summer heat arrives, to cut back their power use. Doing so responsibly will save customers energy and benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
Although cooler temperatures have returned today, “the energy demand we are seeing is unprecedented, and it’s only May,” said David Nahai, LADWP CEO & General Manager. “We urge our customers to start cutting back their energy use now and to be ready for continued hot temperatures as we enter the summer months.”
Nahai added, “It’s incumbent upon all L.A. residents and businesses to look at ways they can save energy while making sure they do not jeopardize their health and safety.”
On Monday, residents and businesses pushed the energy demand to a new record for the month of May-5331 megawatts of power. The previous record high for May occurred on May 3, 2004, when customers used 5320 megawatts.
Power use over last weekend escalated along with the temperatures, as record peak loads were approached or set each day since Friday. Energy use reached 5125 megawatts on Friday, which was the second highest load for May on record. Saturday’s load peaked at 4713-the highest Saturday on record in May-compared to 4114 megawatts set on May 21, 2005. On Sunday, the load topped out at 4690 megawatts-the highest Sunday on record in May-compared to 4076 megawatts reached on May 22, 2005.
Nahai urged residents to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs as a simple way to save energy and money on their electric bill. CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, meaning you don’t have to change them as often. Each CFL that replaces an equivalent incandescent bulb can save more than $50 over its lifetime in reduced energy costs.
He also called on residents to take advantage of LADWP’s rebates for purchasing new energy efficient appliances such as refrigerators and clothes washers. In addition, residents who qualify for the Department’s low income discount rate may qualify for a free, energy-efficient refrigerator by turning in their old, energy guzzling model.
Following are more quick tips to save energy:
- *Run clothes washers, dishwashers and other appliances in the evening, when the weather is cooler and demand is lower.
- *Replace your home’s incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to save energy and money.
- *Turn off lights when not in use.
- *Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees or higher to reduce energy usage.
- *Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day – use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
- *Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home.
- *Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
- *Plant shade trees to keep your home cool and to decrease water runoff.
- *Replace older appliances with energy-saving products including refrigerators, air conditions, pool pumps, clothes washers and dryers.
For more energy-saving tips and information about LADWP rebates on energy efficient products, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP services about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.
