Soaring temps strain grid

When outdoor temperatures soar, electricity use rises along with it. That’s because air conditioners, likely your largest appliance, typically run longer and more often to counteract the sweltering heat. Since we all tend to use electricity at the same time, that puts significant stress on our electric grid.

At Broad River Electric, we partner with Central Electric Power, our local generation and transmission cooperative, to ensure you have power when you need it, at any time of year. We work with Central Electric to make sure we have the resources and infrastructure that keep the electric grid resilient, investing in system maintenance and modernization to ensure reliability in extreme weather.

It takes everyone to keep the grid reliable for you and your neighbors. Here are a few things you can do to relieve pressure on the grid during times of extreme summer heat:

• Select the highest comfortable thermostat setting and turn it up whenever possible. Your cooling system must run longer to make up the difference between the thermostat temp and the outdoor temp.
• Seal air leaks around windows and exterior doors with caulk and weatherstripping. Air leaks and drafts force your cooling system to work harder than necessary.
• Run major appliances such as dishwashers, ovens and dryers during off-peak hours when the demand for electricity is lower.
• Use ceiling fans to make yourself feel a few degrees cooler. Set the fan blades to rotate counterclockwise, which pushes cool air down for a windchill effect.
• Close blinds, curtains and shades during the hottest part of the day to block unwanted heat gain from sunlight. Consider blackout curtains with thermal backing or reflective lining to block heat and light.
• Use smaller appliances such as slow cookers, air fryers and toaster ovens to cook meals. Air fryers use about half as much electricity as a full-sized oven.

And don’t forget—developing some of these habits will also save you money during our peak hours, which are 3–6 p.m. from now until Oct. 31. This time window marks the highest demand for electricity across our state, which increases the strain on the electrical grid. During these peak hours, the cost to deliver energy in South Carolina goes up.

As we face the challenges posed by soaring summer temperatures, understanding the impact of high energy demand is crucial for maintaining a reliable power supply. By adopting energy conservation practices during periods of extreme heat, not only can you save money on your electric bills, but you can also contribute to the resilience of the grid.

Together, we can manage our energy use efficiently, keeping our community comfortable and connected, even on the hottest summer days.