First Heat Wave of the Year Blankets Southern California
With summer just around the corner, Southern California’s first heat wave of the year is bringing scorching temperatures throughout the area.
Temperatures are expected to reach 100-plus degrees in areas of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys as well as Riverside and San Bernardino counties and inland parts of Orange County. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for several areas of Southern California through Sunday at 8 p.m.
Southern California Edison reminds customers that heat-related illnesses can occur in extreme hot weather and to drink plenty of water.
During an extended heat wave, energy conservation is also key. With the heavy demand on electricity, there is additional stress on equipment and power outages can sometimes impact customers.
“With many customers using more energy, especially for air conditioning, the increase in demand can put a strain on our equipment,” said Jim Cherrie, SCE director of Grid Operations. “The system is currently performing well and we have extra crews on standby for possible additional outages this weekend.”’
Some other ways customers can stay cool and conserve energy include:
- Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.
- Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
- Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
- Reduce electricity use between noon-6 p.m. — peak hours of energy use.
- Shut off lights when leaving a room.
- Limit how often you open your refrigerator door.
More information is available at SCE.com and at SCE’s Twitter page. Customers may report outages at 800-611-1911, online or through the SCE Outages App.
