TVA recommends reduction in power usage during extreme cold

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and EPB are asking customers to reduce power usage to ensure the power grid remains stable.

According to TVA, there was a record high demand for electricity across the southeast on Tuesday due to the recent winter storm.

TVA specifically asks customers to be aware of power usage between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The organization said their power grid was still stable as of Tuesday afternoon.

They made this statement regarding the request:

“Conservation requests are often used in the power industry to help lower demand during a specific time and does not indicate TVA is experiencing emergency conditions.”

EPB additionally provided these tips to reducing power use during extreme cold.

• Keep thermostats at 65-68°F; wear additional layers to stay comfortable.
• Delay using major appliances until further notice.
• Keep exterior and garage doors closed as much as possible.
• Avoid using hot water when possible.
• Open window coverings on the sunny sides of homes; Keep coverings closed in shady areas.
• Reverse ceiling fans to rotate clockwise.
• Turn off everything when leaving a room.
• Make sure damper or flue is closed on fireplaces so air doesn’t escape.

EPB will send an update when customers should return to normal power use.

TVA said they are recommending power conservation because of extreme cold and near-zero wind chills. They say these increases the demand for power for more than 10 million people for an extended period of time.

They add that electric power sources push the demand closer to a “peak.” According to TVA, “Peak demand is the highest number of megawatts consumed in a specific period of time by power consumers all across the TVA system.”