Entergy asking customers to continue conserving power

In a Thursday morning update, Entergy Arkansas thanked its customers for their patience and voluntary conservation of power.

In the update, Entergy officials said, “We continue working with reliability coordinator Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to monitor, in real time, the balance of the power generation supply compared to the extremely high customer demand we are experiencing. Last night, residential, commercial and industrial were all asked to decrease their electrical usage from 5 to 10 p.m., as directed by from MISO, and as a result of your participation, the system was successfully able to avoid mandatory outages.”

Entergy says the extreme cold winter weather was expected to continue Thursday, with temperatures expected to remain at or below freezing until Saturday. These extremely cold conditions and recent precipitation can create problems for an electric system and make for hazardous driving conditions, slowing restoration. 

Entergy is strongly requesting customers to safely continue conservation efforts until further notice.

Several ways customers are encouraged to help include:

•  Lower the central thermostat to 68 degrees and adjust window units accordingly. Heating can account for as much as 55% of monthly electric bills. Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter is an easy way to reduce how much energy is used. Every degree above 68 on the thermostat can increase bills by about 3%.

•  Use energy-efficient ceiling fans and portable fans to circulate the warm air to help with comfort.

•  Delay laundry, washing dishes, bathing and other non-essential uses of electricity until this appeal for conservation has ended.

•  Conserve hot water. Wrap electric water heaters with a water heater blanket that can be found at local home improvement stores and set the thermostat to 120 degrees or medium.

•  Wash clothes with cold water, cook foods at the lowest possible setting and refrain from opening the oven door while baking.

•  Don’t allow warmed air to escape from the home. Keep all doors and windows closed. Constant traffic will let out the warm air, forcing heaters to work harder to keep the room at the set temperature.

•  Ensure fans are turning the right way. Fans should be run at a low speed clockwise during the winter. This helps keep the cold air from blowing down on you.

•  Keep the air circulating. Don’t block heat registers or air returns with curtains or furniture.

•  Leverage the sun. During the day, open curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

For additional tips and cold weather updates, visit http://entergy.com/cold.

Customers should remain prepared:

•  Charge up mobile devices and back-up batteries.

•  Download the Entergy app to sign up for text updates.

•  Review guidance at Entergy Storm Center.

•  Those with medical equipment requiring electricity to properly function should take necessary steps to secure an alternative source of electricity in the event of a power disruption.

•  Have an emergency kit including flashlights, medicine, first aid, water and food.

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