OUC Encourages Energy Conservation During Peak Morning Hours of Record Cold

ORLANDO, Fla. – As record cold temperatures move into Central Florida this weekend, OUC – The Reliable One is encouraging customers to conserve energy during peak morning hours, when demand is expected to be highest.

OUC officials say the electric grid remains reliable and is being monitored continuously. However, extreme cold drives a sharp increase in energy use as heating systems require significantly more electricity than cooling and must work harder to keep homes and businesses warm – especially during early morning hours when people are starting their day.

Demand is expected to peak Sunday and Monday mornings. Targeted conservation during these periods can help reduce strain on the system and support continued reliability.

Residential Energy-Saving Tips

OUC encourages residential customers to take the following steps during peak morning hours of 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.:

• Choose a comfortable thermostat setting and lower it slightly: Warming a home in cold weather requires much more energy than cooling during summer months. OUC recommends setting thermostats around 68 degrees, but even a two-degree reduction can make a difference when done collectively.
• Set it and leave it: Frequent thermostat adjustments force heating systems to work harder and increase energy demand.
• Use heat pumps efficiently: If your home has a heat pump, keep it in normal mode. Emergency heat uses significantly more electricity and adds strain to the grid.
• Delay major appliance use: Postpone using washers, dryers and dishwashers until later in the day, as these appliances rely on hot water and heat.
• Take shorter showers: Water heaters use substantial energy to heat and reheat water.
• Avoid morning EV charging: Charging electric vehicles during peak hours adds significant demand when energy use is already high.

Commercial Energy-Saving Tips

OUC asks business customers to consider these conservation measures during peak morning hours 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.:

• Pre-warm buildings before peak demand: Heat spaces overnight or very early in the morning – before 4 a.m. – and reduce heating later in the morning when possible.
• Delay non-essential equipment start-ups: Stagger the startup of large HVAC systems, industrial equipment, kitchen appliances, compressors, pumps or motors by 15 to 30 minutes.
• Adjust thermostats modestly: Set your thermostat 2 to 3 degrees lower than usual during peak hours.
• Use heating zones efficiently: Prioritize occupied or customer-facing areas and reduce heating in storage spaces, unused offices, conference rooms or loading areas.
• Shift energy-intensive activities: Move tasks such as laundry, dishwashing or production runs to late morning or afternoon.
• Consider flexible work options: Later start times or remote work, when feasible, can reduce morning heating demand.

Cold weather safety tips and additional resources are available at OUC’s Cold Weather Guide.

###

About OUC—The Reliable One
For more than 100 years, OUC—The Reliable One has provided exceptional value to its customers and community through the delivery of sustainable and reliable services and solutions. The utility provides electric, water, chilled water, lighting and solar services to more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. As OUC prepares for the next century, it remains committed to a goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 while supporting the Central Florida community with conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency resources. Visit www.ouc.com to learn more.