TVA Asking Residents To Curb Power Usage
As residents try to stay warm this morning, the TVA is asking the public to cut back on electricity usage this morning especially till 11am when things start to warm. The TVA says they are actively monitoring the weather conditions, and while the power system remains stable… Conservation requests are often used to help lower demand during a specific time when severe weather conditions are happening. They say the request does not indicate the TVA is experiencing emergency conditions at this time.
The TVA is asking that you turn your thermostat down a degree or two and not to use major appliances like clothes dryers this morning during the high demand time. Unplug any unneeded electronics, make sure all your heating vents in your home are open. The TVA also asks all businesses to turn off any lights and office equipment if they are not in use.
The TVA says they expect to hit the highest demand for power in their history before 10am Wednesday morning. The all time record for system load is 33,482 MW set on August 16, 2007.
The previous record load for a winter day was 33,427 MW set on December 23, 2022. The TVA had rolling blackouts that day. Since then, the TVA has increased their power generating ability to handle a higher demand like this morning. The TVA invested more than $123 million and
completed 3,400 winter readiness activities to harden its system and enhance the
reliability and resiliency at its coal, gas, and hydro-electric facilities since that Christmas weekend in 2022.
The TVA suggests some ways you can help conserve power include setting your thermostat to 65-68 degrees. You can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat down 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day in the fall and winter. The TVA also asks that you ensure your window coverings on the sunny side of your house are open. LIkewise, keep those window coverings on the side of your home that is darker, closed.