COLUMBUS, Neb. (WOWT) – Amid the cold weather for the next few days, the Nebraska Public Power District, Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District are asking customers to reduce energy.
NPPD requests that customers voluntarily reduce electrical energy immediately from midnight, February 15, for the next two days. The voluntary request is for electrical customers.
They say the cold weather is leading to worsening conditions in the Southwest Power Pool’s NPPD member area.
The ways in which NPPD electrical customers can help without endangering safety are:
- Turn thermostats down to 68 degrees and lower at night.
- Close shades and blinds to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
- Turn on and off non-essential lights and appliances, computers and printers.
- Close the fireplace valve when not in use, to prevent you from losing heat through the chimney.
- Avoid using large appliances (ovens, washing machines, etc.)
- Businesses should limit the use of electric lighting and electricity consumption equipment as much as possible.
- Do not connect a generator to the electrical system of your home. Consult a licensed electrician.
- Do not use any grill equipment indoors for heat. Charcoal and gas grills produce large amounts of carbon monoxide and even small amounts have potentially fatal consequences.
OPPD is also asking customers to reduce energy over the next few days due to the cold weather.
“These prolonged, icy temperatures are increasing the demand for energy in our service area and in our partnerships,” said Tim Burke, President and CEO of OPPD. “Like every day, OPPD employees work hard, day and night, behind the scenes to bring power to our customers.”
Like NPPD, OPPD is also a member of the Southwest Power Pool. They also ask customers to save energy on Sunday at midnight.
The SPP has issued a warning for energy emergencies and is asking members and customers to help balance between the current demand for winter months.
OPPD clients can help in these ways:
- Lower your thermostat a few degrees and dress warmer or use additional blankets to stay comfortable. You can reduce your energy consumption for each grade by 1-3%.
- Close the fireplace valve when not in use, to prevent you from losing heat through the chimney. (Use dampers on the plumbing to balance the airflow in your home if one room is colder or warmer than another. Closing registers should be a last resort if dampers are not available.)
- Do not use a wood burning fireplace for additional heating as it draws hot air from a house through the chimney to light the fire.
- Seal windows and exterior doors with weather syrup.
- Avoid washing and drying clothes or dishwashers during the coldest parts of the day – usually late at night and early in the morning.
- Avoid power loss “phantom” by:
- Switch desktop computers and monitors to sleep mode when not in use.
- Turn off computer monitors when not in use.
- Do not just turn off electronics such as televisions, DVDs, Blu-Ray players or cable boxes when not in use. Disconnect it if possible.
- With a central power strip, you can turn off multiple devices simultaneously.
MUD is also asking customers to reduce energy in the very cold weather to save the supply of natural gas.
They are asking customers to keep the heat on until Wednesday 17 February at 09:00
Customers can help save energy by:
- If you are healthy enough to do this, turn the thermostat down by 3 degrees. (Note: older adults may want to increase the thermostat to prevent hypothermia).
- Wear a sweater or other layers of clothing to stay warm.
- Close the fireplace valve when not in use, to prevent you from losing heat through the chimney.
- Leave curtains, blinds and / or shades open in direct sunlight to warm the room and close at night to prevent heat loss through the windows.
- To avoid frozen pipes, circulate heat around meters and pipes near exterior walls, in uninsulated cabinets or other enclosed spaces.
- Where previous freezing problems were a problem, a little water from the tap can cause a pipe to freeze.
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