Community Corner

SCE: High Temps May Lead to Outages

An over-reliance on air conditioning can put strain on the electrical grid, according to Southern California Edison.

This article was adapted from a news release by editor Matthew Sanderson.

With high day and evening temperatures and unstable weather forecast throughout Los Angeles County, the heavy demand for electricity could cause distribution equipment failure, which could lead to outages for some Southern California Edison customers, including those in Palos Verdes.


With the unstable weather, including high temperatures, SCE is taking steps to ensure that crews are available to respond to outages in all of the utility’s service areas and communities.

SCE is also urging customers to conserve power to provide an added reserve should an unexpected power emergency occur; minimize the impact on the distribution system when customers use energy around the clock; and lower energy bills that can increase by 30 percent for residential customers with air conditioning.

Residential customers and large energy user customers are urged to consider the following:

  • Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees.
  • Use electric fans instead of air conditioning when practical.
  • Close drapes and blinds to keep out direct sunlight during hot periods.
  • Avoid using evaporative coolers or humidifiers at the same time an air conditioner is running.
  • When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours.

SCE recommends customers try to stay as cool as possible during the heat.
  • Keep outdoor activities to a minimum, and drink a lot of water during the hottest parts of the day.
  • During a power outage, turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment.
  • Low-income and medically sensitive customers can take advantage of “Cool Centers,” which are operated by local governments and community-based organizations. A list of locations can be found at sce.com/coolcenters.

SCE recommends customers follow these safety tips if a power outage occurs:
  • Use flashlights for lighting during an outage; do not use candles because they pose a significant fire hazard.
  • Never attempt to move or go near a downed power line. Call 911 to report the situation.
  • Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
  • If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life sustaining medical equipment, have an emergency plan that includes a back-up power source, or make arrangements to relocate.

For updates, follow SCE on Twitter and on Facebook.



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