TVA is asking all electric power consumers to reduce their use of electricity as much as possible until further notice.

Electric Companies in the area are requesting for you to:

• Avoid running appliances during the hottest part of the day
• Ensure A/C units have clean air filters; dirty filters block cooler air and cause units to use more power than needed
• Minimize how often exterior doors and refrigerator doors are opened
• Use ceiling and floor fans to keep air moving, but only when a room is occupied; they use less power than an A/C unit
• Unplug unused or unnecessary electronics, even when off, they still use power if plugged in
• Recycle old appliances; TVA said older appliances are less energy-efficient than modern counterparts
• Switch to energy-efficient bulbs – not only do they use 75% less energy, but they put off less heat than old-school incandescent bulbs
• Turn up the thermostat – TVA recommends keeping the thermostat between 75-78 degrees during the day and even higher if no one is going to be home for a few days
• Keep curtains closed during the day on the south, west, and east sides of houses and apartments to block out sunlight
• Plant trees on the south or southwest side of houses to create shade and keep homes cooler
• Avoid using the oven and cook meals that require less heat from the stovetop or oven; consider using the microwave or air fryer
• Use grill for outdoor cooking

The heat wave we are experiencing this week will place a load on the TVA Power Plants so reducing your electric usage will help. These tips are useful any time during the year to keep customers’ wallets from getting scorched, too.