The hottest weather of the summer has settled into the Tennessee Valley region and the extreme heat is expected to linger through at least the middle of next week.
The Tennessee Valley Authority expects power demand to peak at around 33,000 megawatts from Monday-Wednesday with a systemwide temperature exceeding 95 degrees. The highest demand last summer was just over 31,000 MW on August 29.
TVA prepares year-round for extreme weather, and we have set records while meeting the increased demand. H
- In most homes, the HVAC system is the largest consumer of energy. Tips like being sure HVAC system filters are clean to allow it to operate more efficiently. Also, for each degree a thermostat is turned up it can save as much as 3 percent on a power bill.
- Turn ceiling fans on, circulating counterclockwise, to help cool a room. Be sure you turn it off when leaving the room or don’t need them because they operate on electricity, too.
- If you have a grill, consider cooking meals outside to prevent your stove and oven from heating your home.
- When possible, use clothes dryers and other large appliances during the nighttime hours, as it will allow your HVAC system a better opportunity to keep up. The dryer can also heat up a home and can force the system work harder to provide cooling.
Go to EnergyRIght.com for more tips and for information on rebates and incentives TVA has to help residents make their home more energy efficient. That includes $50 rebates on HVAC tune-ups and rebates for if you need to replace a unit.