Due to the extended arctic temperatures in the region and expected higher energy demand, Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU) are encouraging customers to reduce their energy usage.
“As heating systems are working overtime to keep up with the cold and customers are hunkering down at home, we’re seeing a rise in customers’ overall energy demand,” said LG&E and KU Vice President of Customer Services Shannon Montgomery. “We encourage customers to take steps to conserve energy, which can directly impact bills, and help lessen potential strain on the regional electric grid.”
Please consider taking the following conservation actions:
- Turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances.
- Adjust your thermostat to lowest comfortable setting.
- Reduce reliance on other heating sources.
- Wear extra layers such as a sweatshirt or sweater.
- Add extra blankets to the bed.
- Close the fireplace damper and doors when not in use unless you have a gas fireplace.
- Use draft stoppers for windows and doors.
- Run your dishwashers, dryers and washing machines only when full.
- Open curtains, drapes and/or blinds in the daytime to let the sun’s heat in your home and close them at night to retain the heat.
- Furniture or drapes should not block air registers.
- Use a microwave oven or a slow cooker or prepare cold meals. Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven and cook food in about one-fourth the time.
LG&E and KU also will coordinate with customers who participate in programs that reduce energy usage, including Demand Conservation and Bring Your Own Thermostat. These are voluntary programs through the utilities’ portfolio of energy efficiency programs that help reduce overall energy demand at peak times of day. Customers, in turn, earn monetary incentives for their participation.
Visit lge-ku.com/tips for additional winter conservation tips.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
