Central Florida is experiencing record-breaking cold, and the Orlando Utilities Commission urged customers to conserve energy during early-morning peak hours. Another spike is expected early Monday between 4 and 10 a.m., and the utility said even small, targeted conservation during those hours can ease strain on the grid and support reliability.
For homes, OUC suggests choosing a comfortable thermostat setting and lowering it slightly, noting that even a two-degree reduction can make a difference, and leaving it set rather than changing it often, since frequent adjustments make heating systems work harder. It also recommends keeping heat pumps in normal mode because emergency heat uses significantly more electricity, delaying washers, dryers and dishwashers until later in the day, taking shorter showers, and waiting until later to charge electric vehicles.
Business customers are asked to heat buildings before 4 a.m. and reduce heating later in the morning, stagger start-ups of large equipment by 15 to 30 minutes, lower thermostats by 2 to 3 degrees during peak hours, focus heating on occupied areas, move energy-intensive tasks to late morning or afternoon, and allow later start times or remote work if feasible. Cold weather safety tips and additional resources are available in OUC's Cold Weather Guide.
Press release issued by Orlando Utilities Commission:
https://www.ouc.com/about/news/ouc-urges-customers-to-conserve-energy-during-early-morning-peak-hours/
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