RICHMOND, Va. - Hot, sticky weather
Monday drove Dominion (NYSE: D) customers indoors where they turned up air conditioners,
setting a new one-hour record for peak demand of electricity that may fall Tuesday
with more of the same weather conditions on tap.
From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dominion Energy's power stations met
a peak demand record of an estimated 17,084 megawatts, surpassing the previous
mark by more than 500 megawatts. The official number may take a few days to
calculate. The old peak demand record of 16,515 megawatts was set Aug. 9, 2001.
Despite potential record-usage again Tuesday, Dominion Energy
anticipates no problems supplying enough electricity.
"While demand for electricity has grown during the past
few years as new industries and more residential customers arrived, we have
kept pace by adding more than 900 megawatts of generation," said Thomas
F. Farrell II, chief executive officer of Dominion Energy. "All of our
units are available today and we have an adequate reserve margin."
Tuesday's temperatures from Richmond to the south and east
are expected to be nearly as hot as Monday with the heat index in the 105-110
degree range. However, cooler temperatures to the north around Washington, D.C.,
and the chance of afternoon thunderstorms may lower the demand for electricity.
Still, the company is urging all residents, especially the
elderly and children, to take precautions when venturing into the heat. To stay
safe in this uncomfortable weather, Dominion urges everyone to:
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. If you must work outside,
take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. Don't wait until you are
thirsty.
Stay indoors in a cool place, especially during the afternoon
when temperatures are highest.
If you must go outdoors, wear lightweight, light-colored
clothing. Try to wear natural products such as cotton and avoid synthetics.
Dominion Virginia Power, Dominion's distribution franchise,
is especially concerned about the elderly. The company, in conjunction with
the Virginia Department for the Aging, provides box fans through the Fan Care
program to elderly Virginians who need help cooling their homes. Elderly customers
who need such assistance are encouraged to call the Department for the Aging
toll free at 1-800-552-3402 or contact their local Area Agency on Aging office.
The following energy conservation tips require little or no expense and could
help lower electric bills while keeping homes comfortable:
Postpone activities that require hot water - such as washing
dishes or clothes - to early morning or late evening. This will keep from
adding more heat and humidity to the home.
Raise the temperature setting on the thermostat. For every
degree raised, customers can save as much as 3 percent on cooling costs.
Turn off unnecessary incandescent lights during hot weather.
They add to the heat in the home. Consider switching to cooler, energy-efficient
fluorescent bulbs where light is needed.
Use ceiling fans and portable floor fans to move the air
around in the home. If the home does not have air conditioning, fans are essential
for cooling. In homes with air conditioning, fans allow residents to raise
the thermostat and save energy without affecting comfort.
Close drapes during the hottest times of the day to block
heat from entering the home and save energy.
Make sure window air conditioners are sized correctly.
Ones that are too small will run constantly but not cool the room. Ones that
are too large use more energy than necessary.
Clean filters to window air conditioning units or clean
or replace filters to central air conditioning systems. Clogged filters cause
air conditioners to use more energy to keep rooms or homes cool.
Clear attic vents. If the home has an attic fan, make
sure it is functioning properly.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers of
energy, with a production capability of more than 3 trillion British thermal
unit of energy per day. Dominion also serves 3.8 million franchise natural gas
and electric customers in five states. For more information about Dominion,
visit the company's Web site atwww.dom.com.
