Protecting, Reducing Electricity Use In Orange, Rockland

PEARL RIVER, NY — With summer heat arriving before summer, companies like Orange & Rockland Utilities are prepping for system reliability and resiliency during peak demand and more-frequent severe storms.

Electricity supplies in New York State are expected to be adequate this summer, said officials for the New York Independent System Operator. The NYISO forecasts that peak demand this summer will be 2.3 percent above the 10-year average peak.

O&R has invested nearly $1 billion over the past 10 years — since hurricanes Irene and Lee wreaked havoc on the Hudson Valley in 2011 — on electric system maintenance and reliability projects, such as the $2.5 million project to bury the overhead electric lines that run along the Lake DeForest causeway between New City and Congers in Clarkstown.

That project was designed to improve service resiliency at a location where O&R customers had experienced periodic weather-related outages.

Other improvements include building additional electric circuits and undergrounding selective locations. Stronger poles and more storm-resistant wire are being installed at key locations. O&R is upgrading nine miles of existing overhead wire with higher capacity, tree-resistant cable and replacing roughly 900 utility poles with new, sturdier poles.

To minimize the affect of sporadic outages, more than 200 new switches will be installed to allow for the isolation of system problems when they develop. Also, tree-trimming and tree removals are being performed.

Meanwhile, state officials urged New Yorkers to conserve energy during the late-spring surge of heat and humidity that has prompted hazardous outlooks and heat advisories from the National Weather Service.

To reduce energy use, particularly during peak periods, the public is encouraged to take some of the following low- or no-cost energy-saving measures:

• Close drapes, windows and doors on your home's sunny side to reduce solar heat buildup.
• Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home and use a timer to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Use advanced power strips to centrally "turn off" all appliances and save energy.
• If purchasing an air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR qualified model. ENERGY STAR air conditioners use up to 25 percent less energy than a standard model.
• Fans can make rooms feel five to 10 degrees cooler and use 80 percent less energy than air conditioners.
• Set your air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher to save on your cooling costs.
• Place your air conditioner in a central window, rather than a corner window, to allow for better air movement.
• Consider placing the unit on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. Your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
• Seal spaces around the air conditioner with caulking to prevent cool air from escaping.
• Clean the cooling and condenser fans plus the coils to keep your air conditioner operating efficiently and check the filter every month and replace as needed.
• Use appliances such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and ovens early in the morning or late at night. This will also help reduce humidity and heat in the home.
• Use energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs instead of standard incandescent light bulbs, and you can use 75 percent less energy.
• Microwave food when possible. Microwaves use approximately 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens.
• Dry clothes on a clothesline. If using a clothes dryer, remember to clean the dryer's lint trap before every load.
• Be mindful of the different ways you're consuming water throughout your home. Instead of using 30 to 40 gallons of water to take a bath, install a low-flow showerhead, which uses less than 3 gallons a minute.
• Lowering the temperature setting on your wash machine and rinsing in cold water will reduce energy use.