Heatwave Reliability & Restoration Updates
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This heat wave is one of the most intense we’ve experienced in more than a decade with dangerous temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Prolonged high temperatures strain grid infrastructure as demand for electricity and cooling services rises sharply. Our crews are working 24/7 in these tough conditions, repairing underground electrical cables in sweltering temperatures. They’ll be taking rest, water and shade breaks for safety reasons.
Conserve Energy
Reducing energy during a heatwave keeps your bills lower. It also reduces strain on your neighborhood’s individual electric grid. Follow these tips:
Appliances
- Defer using energy-intensive electric appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Use only one large appliance at a time in your home or apartment.
Air Conditioning
- Limit using multiple air conditioners (ACs) whenever possible. If you have two ACs, use only one.
- Set your AC to the highest comfortable temperature. Every degree you lower your thermostat increases costs.
- Use ceiling and other fans to provide more cooling and better circulation. They are less expensive to run.
- Turn off your AC when you’re not at your place and use a timer to start cooling half an hour before returning.
- Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed. About 40% of unwanted heat comes through windows.
Electric Vehicles
- Hold off on charging your EV or plug-in hybrid until after 10 p.m., unless necessary.
- Get more tips
Learn why we ask customers to conserve energy during a heatwave.
Did you lose power?
- Report your outage. You’ll get updates, including your estimated restoration time, automatically as they become available.
- Does someone in your home use life-support equipment? Make sure we know.
- View the outage map
How We Manage the Grid
Con Edison operates 65 separate, independent underground electrical networks across our area. Each one is dedicated to serving a specific neighborhood. We precisely manage each one, and what happens in one network does not impact another. When you conserve energy, it helps your local neighbors and businesses. Turning off all the lights in Times Square won’t help the networks serving Upper West Side or Park Slope.
Voltage Reduction
During extreme heat, when the electric system is stressed in specific areas, we may reduce voltage in one of the individual networks, which slightly lowers the amount of electricity flowing into area homes and businesses. It is one of the many tools we use to precisely manage the grid during heat waves. It’s safe, temporary, and helps the power stay on for everyone during periods of peak usage. You may not notice any changes. Or you may experience dim lights, or intermittent fluctuations with elevators or appliances such as air conditioners.
Cooling Centers
Cooling centers are now open. Find locations and hours here:
Special Protections
Please know special customer protections apply during hot weather periods. Read more.