The cold weather simply isn't letting up and once again the EPB needs your help. It appears that Thursday morning is likely to set a new peak energy demand for December with temperatures predicted to fall to new lows. That is why we are declaring Thursday morning a Blue Level load alert for Glasgow between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, and are again asking for your help at both residences and businesses.

As we've mentioned before, if you are an EPB power customer you can help the community lower its energy bill from TVA. We have found that raising your thermostat a bit higher than normal before you go to bed allows you to store some heat before the coldest temperatures arrive at day break. Then, when you get up, lower your thermostat a few degrees (68 is a good temperature) and leave it that way until 10:00 a.m. or after. The pre-heating should help hold your temperature until the end of the peak.

It is the large appliances in a home that contribute the most to our peak demand in the winter. Please delay turning on the clothes dryer, dishwasher, or your electric oven between 7:00 am – 10:00 am on Thursday and limit your use of hot water if you have an electric water heater. If you are really feeling like helping, trip off your electric water heater when you get up. You will still have hot water for your morning routines, but the water heater will not immediately recover and drive up our demand (just don’t forget to turn it back on later in the day so it can recover).

Businesses can help by lowering their thermostat temperature a couple of degrees during that time frame and postponing any electric intensive projects until after 10:00 am or completing before 7:00 am.

We are busy working on research projects that will allow these processes to be automated so we do not have to ask you repeatedly for your help in minimizing our peak demands. While we have some very interesting projects, right now our only hope is for you to help us – and the entire community. Thank you again for your assistance!