Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With a heatwave upcoming this week, the area's electricity suppliers are getting ready for an increase in demand. They say the grids are in good shape to handle the higher load.
National Grid's David Bertola says its network is built with equipment to handle extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
"This week, we continue to monitor all of our electric loads on our system, and we're always keeping an eye on our equipment 24/7," said Bertola in an interview with WBEN.
Bertola says there is one difference when it comes to heat-related outages compared to wind or storm outages.
"The difference is when we can expect a lot of heavy winds, we can bring in crews from different parts of National Grid's service territory, or maybe even different parts of the country to prepare for a high number of outages. The heat doesn't typically impact, wide spread. It doesn't create widespread outages, sometimes the way that the wind does," Bertola explained.
He says it's not necessarily reactive, as crews are at the ready to respond.
Alexis Arnold from NYSEG says the company has been taking precautionary steps.
"We've postponed all planned work that would put any stress in our systems and loads, we have expedited the restoration of electrical infrastructure that was out of service, and we've also scheduled additional staffing to respond to any unforeseen problems this week," said Arnold with WBEN.
Arnold says the grid is ready to handle the heat.
"In the event of any service disruptions, our customers can rest assured that our crew standards are ready, and they will work as safely and efficiently as they can to restore power," Arnold said.
Arnold adds this may be a good time to opt in to a smart savings rewards thermostat program, where customers get paid to use less energy.
"It's open to residential and small business customers, when they reduce electricity use during times of peak summer electricity to the demand to help alleviate the strain of New York power supply," Arnold detailed.
Doing so would allow NYSEG to make limited temperature adjustments to your thermostat between May 1 And Sept. 30 on those days when summer electricity demand is at its highest.
"Participants would receive a $70, MasterCard gift card. and participants would also get a $20 bill credit at the end of the season when they participate in those temperature adjustments," Arnold noted.
Other ways to control usage include using the air conditioning only in the rooms you use, closing doors to other rooms, turn the air conditioner off when you leave the home and keep your blinds closed to keep heat out.
Additional advice from Bertola: If you have central air, you might want to consider bumping up the temperature for a few degrees. Also, if you're going to run your pool filter, maybe do that overnight or after 7 p.m. ET.
"Most of them are peak use, it's my understanding is between two and seven o'clock so be mindful of that," Bertola said.
The heatwave is expected all week.