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LADWP Customers Set All-Time Record for Energy Demand of 6,196 Megawatts Demand Expected to Be Even Higher Tomorrow as Heat Storm Persists

LADWP Customers Set All-Time Record for Energy Demand of 6,196 Megawatts

Demand Expected to Be Even Higher Tomorrow as Heat Storm Persists
LOS ANGELES — LADWP customers set an all-time record for peak energy demand of 6,196 megawatts today, surpassing the previous all-time record of 6,177 megawatts set on September 27, 2010.  The peak demand was nearly double the amount of energy demand experienced on a typical day in the City of Los Angeles. The LADWP currently is forecasting that it will break today’s record again tomorrow and exceed 6,200 megawatts as heat-storm temperatures continue. 

LADWP urges customers to save energy wherever possible and safe to do so through 8 p.m. tonight and to give large appliances the evening and all of tomorrow off.  Power demand rises as more customers operate air conditioners, and the heat requires other large appliances such as refrigerators and pool pumps to work harder. By conserving, customers can help reduce the strain on the power grid and minimize the risk of power outages in their neighborhood. Currently, approximately 2000 customers out of 1.4 million are without power citywide and LADWP crews will continue to work around the clock to restore power.  With significant strain on the local neighborhood grids, additional localized outages are to be expected and can be prevented through simple steps to conserve.

“Under these extreme conditions, our system is holding up quite well, but we urge our customers to continue to conserve to reduce strain on the grid.  Conserving electricity can help prevent a local power outage if you take simple steps like setting your thermostat to 78 degrees, turning off pool pumps and giving your appliances the day off tomorrow,” said General Manager Marcie Edwards. “Days like today are an important reminder that we must continue to plan for and invest in our infrastructure to ensure reliable service for our customers as demand increases and weather gets more erratic and intense,” Edwards added.

To help conserve energy, LADWP recommends the following:

  • Adjust air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day, 11:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., when air conditioning systems have to work hardest to cool.
  • Visit the local library, recreation center, mall, movie theater, or any other air conditioned gathering place to give your air conditioner a rest by adjusting the thermostat to 78 degrees.
  • Limit use of major appliances during peak hours of the day–use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during the early morning hours or after 6:00 p.m.
  • Close window curtains, shades or blinds during the heat of the day to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight through windows.
  • Ventilate the home in the early morning and evening by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
  • Turn off lights and other electrical equipment when they are not in use.
  • Unplug “energy vampires” like cell phone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens and other appliances that use energy even when not in use.

In the event of a power outage, customers are urged to report the outage immediately by calling 1-800- DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) so that a crew can be dispatched to make repairs. When calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP, customers should choose “Report Power Outage” in the automated phone system in order to be connected right away to a live operator. 

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