Flex Alert issued for holiday weekend with potentially record-breaking heat in the forecast

California ISO has issued a Flex Alert from Saturday to Monday between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. This calls for voluntary electricity conservation due to high heat and high demand, according to the power grid operator.

The Coachella Valley will be under an Excessive Heat Warning throughout Labor Day weekend, with record-breaking temperatures possible.

“I kind of love the weather drama, but truthfully, I’m a Californian, so I play along. I’ve got everything unplugged that can be, I’ve got my pool filter, it turns on and turns off at off-peak hours, and I keep my AC pretty high, because I live in the desert so I like it hot,” said Stephen Sullivan, a Cathedral City resident.

That’s exactly what Californians are being urged to do in order to avoid rolling power outages.

California ISO provides some tips to follow during the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.:

• Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits.
• Defer use of major appliances.
• Turn off unnecessary lights.
• Unplug unused electrical devices.
• Close blinds and drapes.
• Use fans when possible.

Ahead of time, consumers can prepare by using the following tips:

• “Pre-cool” their homes, or lower air conditioning thermostats.
• Charge electric vehicles.
• Charge mobile devices and laptops.
• Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
• Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.

“Every little bit helps. People think, what can they do, what difference do they make, but it’s really about, as far as the supply picture goes, shaving that peak demand. It’s not much that we have to conserve and so everyone chipping in to help will make a difference,” said David Song of Southern California Edison.

Song says air conditioning units and refrigerators use the most energy in the average household. 

“Everytime you open that refrigerator and you feel that cool air come out, it’s refreshing, but what that means is warm air is getting in, and your refrigerator is just working harder and harder to keep that air cool,” he said.

Song says Coachella Valley residents should focus on conserving energy by filling up their refrigerators.

“Whether that’s putting in additional bottles of coke or soda or water, you know, or putting in empty tupperware even, just to displace the air,” Song said.

Conserving the energy supply this weekend is the priority this weekend, but Song says conservation is always important, especially when it comes to the longevity of the equipment and preventing future unplanned outages.