As a prolonged heat wave engulfs much of Ontario, Alectra Utilities is advising its local customers to be mindful of energy consumption to help manage their summertime hydro bills.
“Our system peak demand is rising daily due to the cumulative effect of sustained high temperatures that are persisting overnight,” Chris Hudson, senior vice-president of network operations at Alectra said in a news release.
“These conditions are driving higher electricity demand, especially during late afternoons when temperatures are at their highest.”
The heat has led to a significant increase in electricity usage, as air conditioners and cooling systems are running overtime, Alectra said.
On Tuesday, Alectra said its system load reached more than 5,000 megawatts (MW).
The company said power consumption is expected to increase today and as the week progresses, likely surpassing last year’s peak of 5,247 MW (one MW is equal to one million watts).
"With extreme hot weather becoming more frequent, it is vital that we continue to invest in renewing aging equipment, and installing new infrastructure, to meet growing demand on the grid," the company said.
Alectra, which serves 17 communities in southern Ontario, including Aurora, is reminding everyone of these conservation tips to help reduce electricity consumption and their summertime hydro bills:
- Make use of a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature.
- Use ceiling and portable fans to circulate air.
- If possible, hang clothes outside instead of using a dryer.
- Use curtains or blinds to shade windows on hot sunny days.
- If using an air conditioner, keep doors and windows closed. This is especially important for small retail shops and restaurants with street-level entrances.
For more information about how you can save energy this summer and avoid higher bills, visit alectrautilities.com/tips-resources.
For information on Alectra's capital construction investments visit: alectrautilities.com/improving-reliability.
