LADWP Asks Customers to Continue Conserving Energy Where Possible During Heat Wave

As a heat wave continues to roast the Southland, the  Los Angeles  Department of Water and Power asks customers to keep conserving energy use where possible between  11:00 a.m.  and 6:00 p.m. today, while staying safe. A statewide Flex Alert was issued yesterday by the California Independent System Operator (CAL ISO) to encourage energy conservation through Sunday, August 12. LADWP joins CAL ISO in this call, asking customers for conservation to prevent overtaxing the electrical infrastructure that serves Los Angeles around the clock daily.

Energy demand in Los Angeles reached 5642 megawatts Thursday but today’s demand is expected to approach higher levels, as the heat wave reaches its peak intensity, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for the fourth straight day in the San Fernando Valley. LADWP’s all-time high energy demand was 6177 megawatts, recorded on September 29, 2010.

Heat-Related Power Outages

Despite the high temperatures, the LADWP system has functioned well and power outages have been minimal, however hot weather can lead to outages- and for a variety of reasons. The heat not only leads to more people operating their air conditioners all at once but also causes other appliances to work harder in order to perform. This puts strain and stress on electrical infrastructure and can overburden power lines, transformers and other equipment, causing them to fail. It can also trigger substation circuit breakers or other electrical equipment that is designed to protect the system to shut down automatically before serious damage occurs.

To learn more about LADWP's power supply, load demand and heat-related outages, please click here.

Energy Conservation Tips

To help reduce energy use, LADWP recommends the following as highly effective conservation measures:

• Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems have to work hardest to cool.
• Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day- use washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and other heavy appliances during evening hours.
• Close draperies, shades or blinds during the heat of the day to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight.
• Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate.
• Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use.
• Unplug "energy vampires" like cell phone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens and other appliances that use energy even when turned off or in sleep mode.

LADWP on Tuesday issued these tips to help conserve energy and stay cool at home and in the workplace.

Beat the Heat

During periods of extreme heat, selected City facilities will extend their hours to provide additional relief from the heat. The following facilities will be open until 9:00 p.m.

Canoga Senior Citizen Center
7326 Jordan Ave.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 340-2633

Sepulveda Recreation Center
8801 Kester Ave.
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 893-3700

North Hollywood Recreation Center
11430 Chandler Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 763-7651

Sylmar Recreation Center
13109 Borden Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 367-5656

Sunland Senior Citizen Center
8640 Fenwick St.
Sunland, CA 91040
(818) 353-9571

Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5060 Van Nuys Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 981-1284

The City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department (EMD) recommends the following during periods of extreme heat, to avoid heat exhaustion, heat cramps and sunstroke:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid unnecessary sun exposure; wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, when in the sun and use sunscreen.
• Avoid unnecessary physical exertion if you are outside or in non-air conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.
• Check on those who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.
• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

For updates and the latest news from EMD, visit their online newsroom.

For more heat wave preparedness tips, visit readyla.org, LA’s official readiness, response and recovery website.

In Case of Power Outage

LADWP has an excellent record of reliable power service. Nonetheless, extreme weather like heat introduces increased risk of power service interruptions.

If you have a power outage, please follow these tips:

• Call 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) to report an outage and also for updates on anticipated service restorations.
• Stay calm.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances and electronic equipment that were in use when the outage began.
• Leave a light or lamp turned on to serve as an alert when service is restored.
• Leave refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep contents as fresh as possible.
• Have a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.

More Information  

For more information, please visit www.ladwp.com.
For the latest news about LADWP, please visit www.ladwpnews.com.
Follow the Department on Twitter: @LADWP.

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