According to a statement by the OUC, Orlando just set a record for the most power ever used in one moment in the company’s 96 years of business.
At 5:04 p.m. Monday, June 24, the temperatures were hitting in the high 90s as air conditioners in the region worked overtime cool homes and offices and pushed the demand by OUC customers in Orlando up to 1,233 Megawatts (MW).
OUC’s previous all-time power peak for Orlando of 1,221 MW was set in August 2016. The utility, which also serves the City of St. Cloud, saw a new all-time peak for that section of its service area Monday with demand coming in at 200 MW.
OUC says we’re not in danger of running out of power but customers could run out of money if they don’t keep their power demands in check so they provided the following tips to keep those bills in check:
- 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 between 6 to 8 percent on the cooling portion of your bill.
- Replace air filters monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use shades, drapes and blinds to keep the sun and heat out, especially on the east and west windows.
- Use ceiling fans to feel cooler, but turn them off when you leave the room. And, set them in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Caulk and place weather strips around leaky windows and doors.
- Wash only full loads in dishwashers and clothing washers.
- For washing machines, use cold water because it save up to 90 percent of the energy.
- Clear your dryer vent regularly to prevent fires and improve efficiency.
- Check your water heater temperature to ensure it is set to no more than 125 degrees; otherwise, you are wasting energy.
