Company suggests ways for customers to stay safe and be prepared.
With summer nearly upon us, Public Service of New Hampshire is letting customers know the company is prepared for the annual spike in electricity use and onset of seasonal storms that come with hot weather. As increasing temperatures prompt heightened use of air conditioning in homes and businesses, demand for electricity across New England is historically at its highest during the summer months. And, with hurricane season officially here, this is also the time of year when more frequent storms could pose a threat to the electric grid.
"Throughout the year we work to make our system stronger, with a focus on meeting the summertime demand for electricity and reducing storm-related outages," said Jim Eilenberger, PSNH director - system engineering. "We prepare for the unique challenges that come with each season by investing millions of dollars in our system annually to improve service reliability year-round."
New Hampshire has transitioned over the years to a summer peaking state, as customers rely more on air conditioning units. In order to accommodate an increasing peak demand, the total amount of energy a customer or group of customers is consuming simultaneously, the company has replaced certain equipment, such as electrical transformers, with larger units that will reduce the likelihood of equipment overloading.
PSNH preparations also include aerial and ground level infrared surveys of transmission lines and electrical substations, in order to test and verify the integrity of the electric system and help identify potential trouble spots. The surveys provide an opportunity to repair equipment at risk of failure, and avoid problems before they occur.
Peak Demand Factoid: - Temperatures were in the mid-90s on August 6, 2006 when the historic peak energy demand was recorded - here in New Hampshire (2,248 megawatts) and the entire New England region (28,130Mw).
Just as PSNH is continuously preparing for difficult weather conditions, the company reminds customers to also be ready by considering the following information:
As work begins on home improvement projects, stay clear of overhead power lines. If improvements involve digging, always be sure to call DigSafe first (1-888-DIG-SAFE).
Making a list of key phone numbers and preparing an emergency kit are ideal ways to be ready for severe weather or power outages. Items to include in emergency kits include water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and extra cash.
While emergency generators can be very useful during power outages, it's crucial to personal safety and the safety of others - including PSNH line crews - that they be installed and operated properly. Never run a generator indoors or near windows.
In addition to these tips, be sure to consider the various energy saving lighting and products that are available for purchases through our online catalog at catalog.nhsaves.com/
Public Service of New Hampshire, a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE:NU), is New Hampshire's largest electric utility, serving more than 500,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns. For more information, please visit psnh.com or psnhnews.com, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.