High heat raises power usage, cost could follow

By MADISON MATHEWS    Johnson City Press Staff Writer 

With temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s, many people are going to be running air conditioners and fans all weekend in an attempt to stay cool.     

That means power usage and the price of one’s electric bill could rise.    

The Johnson City Power Board’s peak usage is typically seen during the winter months, according to Chief Public Relations Officer Robert White.     

The Tennessee Valley Authority, which acts as the Power Board’s electric distributor, is a summer peak system, White said.    

The Power Board’s peak usage for the winter months has been set at 550 megawatts, while the summer peak currently sits at 502 megawatts.     

While those figures are fairly close, White said there’s a chance usage could reach the winter peak if temperatures rise as much as they’re expected to.     

“We’re becoming a much more balanced system in regard to winter and summer peaks, but you never know. Depending on how hot it gets, we may actually get to that and match our winter peak,” he said.     

Despite a rise in usage during high-temperature months, White said it shouldn’t put any additional strain on the grid, meaning the potential for an outage is unlikely.     

“We are prepared. We have the capacity in our substations, well above even if we get close to our winter peak,” he said.    

The Power Board currently does not charge its residential customers based on usage during peak times, so the June energy rate of 9.284 cents per kilowatt hour will not fluctuate while temperatures begin to rise this weekend. That rate includes fuel cost adjustment.     

A seasonal time of use for residential customers will go into effect in October.     

There are, however, several things customers can do in order to keep their usage down during peak times. One of the best ways to conserve energy and keep costs down is by keeping the thermostat set somewhere in between 76 and 80 degrees.    

“If they can tolerate 76 to 80 degrees on that thermostat, especially during these times, and wear loose clothes ... it’ll keep you from having to turn it down so much,” White said.     

Other ways to keep cool are by keeping the blinds closed and curtains down. Small things like that are easy ways to better utilize one’s cooling system.    

For those customers who have a heat pump, White suggested making sure all doors inside the home are kept open in order to maximize the efficiency of one’s system.     

The Power Board serves 75,927 customers in Washington County and parts of Carter, Greene and Sullivan counties. 

Here Comes the Heat

By NICK SHEPHERD     

Johnson City Press Staff Writer  


The next few days could be the hottest seen in the Tri-Cities since the 1950s. But there are ways to stay safe in the extreme heat. The expected temperature for Thursday will be 93 degrees, Friday will be 97 and Saturday temperatures are expected to reach 98. The record temperature for Thursday is 96, Friday 95, Saturday 95 and Sunday 98. All of those records were set in the 1950s. 

According to the National Weather Service, a strong high pressure over the middle of the country will build over the Tennessee Valley by the end of the week. This high will produce almost record high temperatures for Thursday through Sunday. The thermometer is expected to reach 100 degrees or more in Knoxville and Chattanooga.     

Moisture will also increase in the region in the next few days. There is a 20 percent chance of rain on Saturday. The combination of the heat and humidity will create oppressive heat indexes.     
The National Weather Service advises people to try to stay out of the heat.     

If you have to be out in the heat, there are some tips on keeping yourself safe in the extreme heat.    
“The main thing is to wear light clothing and stay hydrated,” said Medical director of First Assist Urgent Care, Dr. Tim Schwob. “Just do whatever you can to keep the heat off of you. Try to get in the shade and get out of the heat.”    

The two most common types of illnesses associated with extreme heat are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.    According to the Centers for Disease Control’s website, symptoms of heat exhaustion include sweating heavily, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting and fainting. People suffering from heat exhaustion will still have a relatively normal body temperature and will still think clearly, Schwob said.    

When people suffer from heat exhaustion, they just need to hydrate and get out of the heat, Schwob said.    The more serious illness is heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating), rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness, according to the CDC.    

If you notice any of these symptoms or notice someone having them, try to hydrate them and cool them down. Then, call a doctor.     

Some more tips for beating the heat include not drinking alcohol or caffeine in the heat, because the two can cause significant loss of water. Also avoid really cold drinks, because they could cause stomach cramps.    Drink lots of water, even if you’re not thirsty. Stay indoors in air conditioning if at all possible. If you don’t have air conditioning, try to go to a place that has air conditioning, such as a library or a mall. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked car.     

If you have to be out in the heat, try to limit your time outside to morning and evening hours. Cut down on exercise, but if you do exercise consume two to four glasses of cool water every hour. Try to rest in the shade often and wear sunglasses, hats and sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, according to the CDC.    
Since some people will be spending a majority of the time indoors running the air conditioning or fans, there are ways to keep your electric bill down and save energy.     

“Try to set your thermostat between 76 and 80 degrees,” said Robert White, Johnson City Power Board spokesman. “Keep your curtains and blinds shut, so as not to allow direct sunlight into your home.”    
Again, wear light, loose clothing, even inside your home.     

Some more tips are to always keep your vents free from obstruction and keep all external doors and windows closed so energy does not escape from the home. If you are using window air conditioning units, try to place them on the north side of your home.     

The population most at risk for suffering from a heat related illness are people 65 and older, infants or young children, people who have mental illness or those who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

TVA Offers Energy-Saving Tips To Beat Summer Heat

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With 100-degree temperatures expected this week, the Tennessee Valley Authority is encouraging consumers to use electricity wisely and efficiently. Consumers can save energy, lower the impact on their power bills and reduce peak demand on the TVA system by simply increasing thermostat temperatures a few degrees during the day, turning off unnecessary lights and appliances and operating dishwashers and laundry machines at night and only with full loads.

Read more: http://www.tva.com/news/releases/aprjun12/heat.html

Cool Your House in the Summer with Ceiling Fans and Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

While Americans can expect record hot weather this summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are ways to cool down your home when the temperature rises. Here are some tips to get you started.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/06/24/cool-your-house-in-summer-with-ceiling-fans-energy-efficient-light-bulbs/#ixzz1z1jsgpVk

Americans support energy-saving, but don't do it

Cindy Shriner, a retired teacher, poses for a portrait with her 2009 Subaru Impreza in Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, June 9, 2012. Shriner buys energy-efficient light bulbs and her car gets nearly 30 miles per gallon on the highway. Still, she keeps her house at about 73 degrees year-round, despite government recommendations to turn thermostats to 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer. "I'm terrible," Shriner, 60, said in an interview. "In all honesty we have extreme weather in all seasons" in Indiana, she said, and her thermostat settings keep her comfortable. A new poll shows that while most of those questioned understand effective ways to save energy, they have a hard time adopting them. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/jun/09/americans-support-energy-saving-but-dont-do-it/#ixzz1yMc4mLN0

Nationwide Scam Targets Utility Customers

Thanks to our friends at the American Public Power Association (APPA) for reporting on a multi-state scam that has targeted utility customers across the country. The scam aims to steal payments and identity information using in-person solicitations, social media, fliers, phone calls and text messages. Victims have been reported in states such as California, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Florida.

Nationwide scam targets utility customers