The energy demand reached 5670 megawatts Wednesday and is expected to match, and potentially exceed, that level today with highs exceeding 100 degrees for the third straight day in the San Fernando Valley.  Any time energy demand approaches this level, it is wise to implement active conservation to prevent overtaxing electrical infrastructure from that serves Los Angeles day in and day out.  Conservation is recommended only where doing so does not jeopardize anyone’s health or safety.

Following are simple tips our customers can use to reduce their power consumption:

Tips for the Home:

• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees or more 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 and early morning by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
• Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) wherever appropriate.
• During the heat of day, close your draperies, shades, or blinds to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight and check your home for adequate insulation.
• Plant shade trees, to reduce heat gain to the house.
• Install/use whole house fans for comfort cooling. The whole house fan will cool down your house early evenings and early mornings for a fraction of the energy cost of an A/C unit.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically and maximize your energy savings.
• Clean or replace your air-conditioner’s filter(s) every month to keep your air-conditioner running more efficiently.
• Regularly brush or vacuum the condenser coils at the bottom or rear of your refrigerator and check door gasket for tight fit and adjust if necessary.
• Buy energy-saving EnergyStar-labeled appliances.
• Limit the time you run your pool pump: Summer (six hours a day), Winter (four hours a day.)

Tips for the Workplace:

• Turn off your desk and overhead lights, and meeting room lights, if they are not needed, or install motion detectors switch for each room.
• Keep personal appliance use to minimum.
• Turn off all computer equipment when you leave the office or when they are not being used.
• Be sure your computer equipment goes into the sleep mode when not in use. (80% savings in energy use)
• Go paperless when possible. Reduced printing and copying translates into reduced energy use.

Other LADWP programs to help save money and energy include:

• Customers seeking to cool off by purchasing a room air conditioner, LADWP offers a $50 rebate on a qualifying EnergyStar-rated model. Customers considering installing central air conditioner can receive $100 on an energy efficient model.
• Consumer Rebate Programs: In addition to air conditioning units described above, customers can receive rebates on other energy efficient devices, including pool pump and motor replacements ($300), dual pane windows ($1.00 per square foot), and EnergyStar refrigerators ($65.)
• Refrigerator Exchange: Qualifying low-income or Lifeline customers can receive a free energy efficient refrigerator in exchange for an old energy-wasting model.
• Refrigerator Recycle: LADWP customers who turn in and recycle their old, inefficient refrigerators can earn a $35 cash rebate in addition to the $65 rebate for the new unit.
• Shade Trees: Cool off your home and help reduce storm-water runoff by planting more trees. LADWP residential and business customers can receive up to seven free shade trees.

Customers can log on to www.LADWP.com to learn more about energy saving programs and rebates.

The public and members of the media are encouraged to check the Department’s news site and Twitter page, @LADWP, for updates.

###