The summer heat wave is expected to continue this week, but TVA and your local power company remain prepared to reliably provide the energy you need for safety and comfort.

TVA plans for higher demands during hot weather – even with the increased power needs of the area’s growing economy – and we have safety margins built into our resilient public power system.

The hard work and dedication of thousands of public power employees at TVA and your local power company continues to reliably deliver the energy needed to keep you safe and comfortable:

• This past weekend, we successfully provided peak power demands that were much higher than normal for weekend days -- 29,263 megawatts on Saturday, July 23, and 29,147 megawatts on Sunday, July 24.
• So far in July, we’ve supplied peak power demands above 30,000 megawatts five times, including the 7th highest July peak in TVA history of 31,161 megawatts on July 20.
• In June, we successfully supplied five of the top 10 power demands ever experienced during the month of June.
• TVA has experienced no demand-related outages this summer.

While we continue to keep your power safe and stable, there are some simple ways for homeowners and businesses can help save money on future power bills:

• Turn your thermostat up just one degree and use fans to circulate air.
• Close window coverings on the sunny side of your home or office.
• If possible, avoid using ovens, dishwashers, clothes dryers and other appliances that generate heat in your home until later in the evening or early in the morning. 

TVA and local power companies have plans in place to deal with extreme conditions that may challenge our ability to supply the extraordinary levels of energy being requested. These may include:

• Voluntary calls for energy conservation,
• Requests for power reductions at large industries, or
• The use of temporary, localized interruptions, or
• In the most extreme circumstances, rolling, system-wide outages to prevent damage and long-term outages on the larger power grid  

We understand the concerns about higher power bills due to increased power use and higher fuel costs, and your local power company may have multiple programs that can help, so contact them before getting behind on your bill to explore the possibilities.

More heat is expected in the coming days and weeks, but your public power team is continuing to take the necessary steps to ensure your electricity remains reliable during these extreme conditions.

Check out some simple energy-saving tips for every room in your home by visiting https://energyright.com/residential/education-advice/