Eversource Warns MA Residents of Stress on Power Grid

Massachusetts residents are on day four of a severe heat wave and one utility company that serves the state is warning folks of heavy electricity use.

Temperatures in eastern and western Massachusetts have reached into the 90s for the past few days and are expected to stay there through this coming weekend. Thankfully temperatures haven't climbed high enough to beat the states record temperature of 107 degrees (recorded in the city of New Bedford in 1975) however, health and weather experts are still asking residents to exercise caution admist the extreme heat and humidity.

While you might think that cranking every AC unit and fan your home has got, another group of experts are warning Massachusetts residents against another side effect of the heat, possible blackouts due extremly high electric use.

In a release to it's customers, Eversource, which serves 4.4 million folks in Massachusetts as well as parts of Connecticut and New Hampshire, is providing tips to try and manage energy usage during the extreme heat.

As temperatures are expected to remain in the 90s through the weekend, coupled with heat and humidity, mean an increase of electical use in homes and in turn, more stress on the power grid.

There are a few steps folks can take to not alone relieve demand on the grid during the hours of highest use, but they can also save customers money.

Hold off on using large electrict appliances like ovens and clothing dryers until later in the evening, after 7 p.m.
Keep air condtioners set at at moderate temperature that's also still comfortable. For every degree you set the termostat higher, you will use 1-3% less electricty.
Keep air vents clear of obstructions such as furniture, curtains and rugs.
Close window blinds and shades to keep rooms cooler

We will continute to monitor the electric system and are prepared to meet the increased demand. Crews are also ready to repsond to any system damage cause by possible storms or high wind.

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