Tri-State Area Utilities Work To Meet High Power Demands During Extreme Heat
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As sauna-like conditions continue for another day across the Tri-State area, utility companies are telling customers they're prepared to meet the higher demand for electricity.
A heat advisory is in effect for New York City until 8 p.m. Monday and an excessive heat warning is in effective for parts of New Jersey until 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Con Ed experienced record usage over the weekend.
"Basically what that means is that everybody is using their air conditioners, everyone has their iPads and iPods plugged in," utility spokesman Alfonso Quiroz told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
That meant scattered outages and voltage reductions.
"There have been a couple of minor problems that we've had throughout the weekend, but we've responded to them quickly," Quiroz said, adding there were extra crews on standby. "We prepare all throughout the year for days like this."
In Fresh Meadows, Queens, residents said they were plagued with rolling blackouts on Saturday. At one point, over 2,000 Con Ed customers were affected. On Saturday, Con Edison crews also worked to restore electricity at West 146th Street in Harlem after a primary feeder cable failed.
Despite the outages over the weekend, Quiroz said he doesn't expect significant problems as the work week begins with temperatures once again in the 90s.
"We certainly have the capacity to provide that power," Quiroz said. "All hands are on deck, we're watching the system very closely 24/7."
High demand for electricity is also being met in Connecticut.
During a prolonged heat wave, demand for electricity in Connecticut typically grows about 70 percent, WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau reported.
Eversource spokesman Frank Poirot said they prepare year-round for extreme heat situations and that includes continued ground and aerial inspections systemwide.
"It gives a heads-up or an early indication that there might be an issue that we can address in a way that will not impact our customers," Poirot said.
He explains any calls for conservation come from ISO New England, the grid operator throughout New England, but so far, customer demand has been met.
Other utilities, including JCP&L, Orange and Rockland Counties and PSEG Long Island also experienced outages over the weekend.
People are also being reminded to conserve electricity: turn off appliances when they are not needed, set air conditioners at 78 degrees or higher, and use energy-intensive appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers late at night, or early in the morning.
Meanwhile, as CBS2's Elise Finch reported, phones were also ringing off the hook for repair companies as many air conditioners had trouble keeping up with the weather. The air conditioners were not designed to withstand the amount of use they have been getting.
Some air conditioning units have stopped working altogether.
"I live in the attic, and it's almost like there's fire -- like the fireplace is in my room -- and I can't breathe," said Amanda Presti of Hyde Park.
"When you're inside and it's basically 110 degrees it's unbearable; very uncomfortable," said George Zopounidis of White Plains.
Zopounidis said he went right out and bought a new window unit when his broke, because he could not stay in his apartment without it.
For people with central air conditioning systems, the fix is not usually as quick because it requires a technician. But experts said similar breakdowns are totally expected during heat waves like this one.
"To make an analogy, your car can work well if you take it to the train station every morning, but if you put it on the Indianapolis 500 and try to run it for a few hours, it would break down pretty quickly -- and that's what happens to the air conditioning," said Mario Bruni, president of Bruni & Campisi Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "You get into a period like this where it really has to work at its maximum capacity for a prolonged period, that's when it's going to break down. If it's going to break down at all, that's when it's going to break down."
Bruni said service calls have tripled in the past week. But the repairs take time, so his company uses bright yellow temporary units to get people's homes cooled quickly until they can schedule a complete repair or installation of a new system.
Bruni said if your central air conditioning system fails and you are waiting for help to arrive, there are a few things you can do.
First, clean out the air filters. A clogged or dirty filter can completely block air flow.
Second, check the outdoor unit and make sure the coils are not clogged with grass clippings or dirt. If they are, clean them.
Third, take a garden hose and wet the coils on the outside unit. The moisture will cool the coils and might help the unit work better – at least temporarily.