It’s another “peaker” day — one of the hottest days in northeast Ohio. As temperatures are expected to continue well into the 90s over the next few days, City of Wadsworth electric customers are being asked to conserve power. City officials said nothing is wrong with the electric grid; they’re just trying to take every avenue to reduce costs for customers.
Wadsworth customers are being asked to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. today (July 29). Using less electricity on the five hottest “peaker” days will reduce electric rates next year.
“There’s plenty of power available and the grid is in good shape; but, if we can conserve during these peak hours, the City can save on transmission and capacity costs next year,” said Robert Patrick, director of public service for Wadsworth. “Lowering the peak demand will help keep the City’s electricity rates low.”
Customers can take simple conservation steps such as shutting off lights when not needed:
– unplugging small appliances and electric chargers (especially those with small lights)
– raising the air conditioner thermostat a degree or two
– closing curtains, drapes and blinds
– doing laundry and other household chores requiring electricity during hours outside of 2-6 p.m.
– turn off TVs, computers, radios, and other electronic devices when not being used.
“As a municipal electric system, owned by its citizens and customers, it is contingent upon those same citizens and customers to keep the electric rates for themselves and all other customers of the City of Wadsworth as low as possible. Our citizens and customers have the opportunity to make a difference in their system and their rates by conserving energy during the periods stated for the upcoming days,” Patrick said. “As forecasts dictate, we will be most likely be asking our citizens and customers to again conserve energy at additional times this summer.”
