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3 electricians!
Power consumption soars during D.C.'s frosty February.
Frigid temperatures this February in the D.C. area have broken more than just weather records.
Energy consumption has gone off the charts, too.
Dominion Virginia Power's 2.5 million customers last week established an all-time record for electricity usage.
Dominion supplied a peak of 21,651 megawatts of electricity at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20. That's an increase of more than 1,500 megawatts over the previous peak, which was a summer mark of 20,061 megawatts set July 22, 2011.
One megawatt supplies enough electricity at peak for about 250 homes.
The previous winter peak of 19,870 megawatts was set last month on Jan. 8.
What's the best setting for your thermostat?
All of this can wreak havoc on your heating system and electricity bill. Even a few days of bitter cold can cause your bill to soar.
"When the mercury drops this low, it can have a large impact on customer bills, as customers use more energy to stay warm,” says Robert M. Blue, president of Dominion Virginia Power. “So we are encouraging them to use energy wisely."
If your home recently has undergone an energy audit or you’ve talked to a highly rated electrician about energy efficiency before this cold spell, you may not experience a large uptick in consumption.
For those who haven’t, it might be something to consider this spring.
Meanwhile, to help customers limit the impact of these frigid temperatures on their bills they should be mindful of their energy usage. These easy-to-do energy-saving tips will help:
Set your thermostat at a temperature at which you can be comfortable while wearing an extra layer or two of light clothing, such as a sweater. That's usually 68 degrees or lower.
Change your air filter in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation. A clean air filter will increase the efficiency of your furnace.
If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue is closed when not in use.
If you are using the fireplace, turn down your thermostat. This prevents warm heat from escaping through the chimney.
On sunny days, open the curtains or blinds to let sunshine in. Remember to close them after the sun goes down.
If you have ceiling fans, operate them in reverse so they push the warm air back down.
You can use towels or old blankets to seal areas at the base of exterior doors where heat often escapes.