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OUC SETS RECORD FOR POWER DEMAND
Electric Customers Cope with Third Day of Sizzling Heat and High Humidity
ORLANDO – OUC electric demand set a new record today, as temperatures
climbed into the mid-90s for the third consecutive day. Heavy demand from air
conditioners struggling to cool homes and offices pushed OUC’s peak power
consumption in Orlando to 1,141 MW (megawatts) by mid afternoon. That’s 6 MW
higher than the record set Tuesday and 9 MW above OUC’s July’s peak of 1,132 MW
set July 28, 2005.
Demand for electricity by OUC customers in St. Cloud also reached record levels
today, hitting 132 MW. That’s a 3 MW increase over the record set in July.
To help keep your electric
bills down when the temperatures rise, OUC recommends that you:
- Set your
thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, although some customers may need to keep
the temperature a little cooler. Each degree you raise the thermostat above 78
degrees will save 6 to 8 percent on your cooling bill.
- Keep
your central A/C unit on auto. To increase savings even more, turn off the
unit completely or set it to 85 degrees when you're away from home for more
than four hours.
- Replace
air filters monthly.
- Use
shades, drapes and blinds to keep the sun and heat out.
- Use
ceiling fans to feel cooler, but turn them off when you leave the room.
Click here for more tips
on how to save energy throughout the year and to learn how to conduct your own
home energy audit.
Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The
Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides
electric and water services to more than 196,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud
and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties.
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