OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - The Omaha Public Power District is asking customers to conserve energy due to brutally cold weather over the next few days.
OPPD said bitterly cold temperatures have increased demand for energy across the Plains region, even south into Texas and Oklahoma. OPPD said it's similar to when summertime heat causes energy strains.
OPPD says customers can help save energy in the following ways:
• Lower your thermostat a few degrees and dress more warmly or use additional blankets to stay comfortable, instead. You can reduce your energy usage by 1-3% for each degree.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use to avoid losing heat through the chimney.
• Use dampers on the ductwork to balance the airflow in your home if one room is colder or warmer than another. Closing registers should be a last resort if dampers are not available.
• Do not use a wood-burning fireplace for supplemental heating, as it pulls hot air out of a home through the chimney in order to fuel the fire.
• Seal windows and external doors with weather stripping.
• Avoid washing and drying clothing or running dishwashers during the coldest parts of the day – typically late night and early morning.
• Avoid “phantom” power loss:
- Switch desktop computers and monitors to sleep mode when not in use.
- Shut computer monitors off when not in use.
- Do not just turn off electronics like televisions, DVD, Blu-Ray players, or cable boxes when not in use. Unplug them if possible.
- A central power strip enables you to turn off multiple devices at once.
See also:
OPPD warns of periodic controlled outages due to bitter cold
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.
