Reading Municipal Light Department Asks Residents To Conserve Electricity After Heatwave

WILMINGTON, MA —Reading Municipal Light Department asks residents to conserve electricity with the upcoming heatwave expected to strain electricity supplies due to increased use of air conditioners.

The department asks residents to conserve energy on Sunday, from 5 to 8 p.m., to help reduce future power supply costs. Electricity peaks occur when the highest level of electricity is consumed during a specific timeframe and affect power supply costs. These peaks usually happen in the afternoon between 2 and 7 p.m. Inefficient generators are often used to keep up with demand but tend to cause a negative environmental impact.

To conserve electricity, residents can:

• Turn off lights and electronics not being used.
• Postpone the use of washers, dryers, dishwashers and charging electric vehicles.
• Raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner.
• Shut off pool pumps during the expected electricity peak.
• Close curtains or blinds to keep heat from the sun out.
• Cook dinner on a grill.