Amid temperatures in the teens and single digits across the state on Friday, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced that power demand in Tennessee hit an “all-time December peak.”
TVA announced Friday that it and local power company employees were “actively working to maintain a stable power grid for everyone amid unprecedented demand,” by “temporarily reducing power supplies to localized areas.”
“We apologize for the disruption that we know these actions may cause, especially during the holidays. They are difficult but necessary steps to prevent the potential of far greater power disruptions to the broader region,” TVA wrote in a press release.
Today's been unprecedented, with historic cold temperatures affecting the entire country and driving power demand to record levels in the region.
Money and energy saving tips 👉 https://t.co/ypUlsWFs7e pic.twitter.com/QguCsB8Fqo
— Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) December 23, 2022
TVA lifted the mandate on rolling blackouts Friday shortly before noon; however, it urged Tennessee businesses and residents to “reduce electric power use as much as possible without sacrificing safety.”
The top ten ways Tennesseans can reduce power usage, according to TVA, are:
- Keep curtains open on the south side of the house and closed on the north during the day to trap the warming sunlight.
- Install an ENERGY STAR-certified programmable thermostat and program the temperature to go down at night and when you are away from home.
- Turn off lights in rooms and turn down the heat when you’re out of the house.
- Use a TVA Quality Contractor to insulate heating and cooling ducts and repair any air leaks, as well as add insulation to your attic, crawlspaces and any accessible exterior walls.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Make sure the fireplace damper is closed when not in use.
- Use area rugs if you have hardwood or tile floors to keep your feet warm.
- Keep weeds and debris away from the outdoor unit of your heating system.
- Use layered clothing to keep the warmth in.
- Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise.
TVA added that Tennessee will experience “slightly warmer temperatures” this weekend that “should help minimize additional strain on the power system.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Person Turning Off Light Switch” by Marco Verch Professional Photographer. CC BY 2.0.
