FOLSOM, Calif. – The California Independent System Operator (ISO) has extended its Flex Alert a second day to Friday, asking consumers to again conserve electricity during the evening as California and states across the country work to relieve stress on electric grids due to extreme heat.
Consumers are asked to conserve energy tonight and tomorrow evening by:
- Setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits
- Avoiding using major appliances
- Turning off all unnecessary lights
Consumers are also encouraged to use fans for cooling, and to unplug unused electrical items. Additional tips can be found at the website, Flex Alert.org, where people can also sign up to receive Flex Alert notifications.
To be as comfortable as possible during the Flex Alert hours, consumers can take these steps earlier in the day:
- Pre-cool your home by lowering the thermostat
- Use major appliances, like your dishwasher, and clothes washer and dryer
- Close window coverings to keep your home or apartment cool
- Charge electronic devices
- Charge electric vehicles
The ISO is continuing to monitor weather and grid conditions and will have additional announcements as information becomes available. The grid operator had already called a Flex Alert for today, Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Precise hours for a Flex Alert depend on hourly demand and supply forecasts and can change as conditions warrant.
For information on Flex Alerts, to get more electricity conservation tips, and to sign up for conservation alerts, visit the ISO's Flex Alert website. Visit the ISO's News page for more information on the heat wave's impacts on grid operations, and to learn more about alerts, warnings and emergency notices.
For updates on grid operations, follow us on Twitter at @California_ISO or @FlexAlert, or monitor system conditions in real time at ISO's Today's Outlook.
