July 9, 2024
Idaho Power is advising residents to be prepared for the summer heatwave which is now upon us. In an email sent to customers, they say:
With record-setting heat in the forecast across our region this week, we are working hard to keep you cool and connected. Our crews train year-round for extreme weather events and are closely monitoring our system and the regional grid. We will rely heavily on our affordable hydro and other generation sources but will be watching closely to pull in other resources as needed.
Reduce Your Use to Save Money
We know these extreme temperatures can be hard on summer energy bills, so here are some tips to help keep you cool while reducing your energy use:
We know these extreme temperatures can be hard on summer energy bills, so here are some tips to help keep you cool while reducing your energy use:
- If comfort allows, turn your home or office thermostat up a few degrees so the A/C isn’t working quite so hard. Use a ceiling or box fan to feel up to four degrees cooler. But remember — fans cool people, not rooms, so switch the fans off when you leave the room.
- Using your oven can add extra heat to your house. Keep your kitchen cool by cooking more of your meals with a microwave, slow cooker, pressure cooker, or grilling outdoors.
- Close doors, windows, and blinds so the sun won’t heat up your space as much. If safe, open your windows at night or in the morning to let in cooler air.
- Power down devices (computers, tablets, TVs, and gaming systems) in the evening and when not in use.
- Only use lights in occupied rooms (if needed), and keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Save the dishes and laundry for the morning to avoid adding heat to your home during the hot afternoon.
- If you’re headed out of town, remember to raise your thermostat while you’re gone — no need to cool an empty house!
Stay Safe and Help Prevent Outages
If you’re headed out of town to beat the heat, make sure you’re putting safety first and helping to prevent wildfires, which can cause outages.
If you’re headed out of town to beat the heat, make sure you’re putting safety first and helping to prevent wildfires, which can cause outages.
- Monitor and obey fire restrictions. Campfires are temporarily banned at Idaho Power’s Woodhead Park campground in Hells Canyon and at Cottonwood Park campground at C.J. Strike Reservoir.
- Never park or start a vehicle on dry grass, and always keep trailer chains from dragging.
- Wear a lifejacket on the water. Idaho Power has several stations along the Snake River where you can borrow life jackets for the day.
- Don’t wade, swim, fish, or anchor your boat directly upstream or downstream from a dam. Normal power plant operations can cause unexpected and rapid water changes. Buoy lines and cables are there to keep you at a safe distance — don’t go past them.
- Keep off riverbanks next to dams.
Stay cool, stay safe, and stay up-to-date at idahopower.com or by following us on social media.
