Turn down the AC: Flex Alert issued for California amid sweltering heat

Your AC unit has probably been running on the coldest setting for the past couple days straight — now you're being asked to hold back on that for a bit. The state's Independent System Operator issued an alert goes into effect Tuesday and Wednesday, asking people to be particularly cautious of energy consumption during the peak demand hours — between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Whenever an increase in energy consumption is anticipated — like during a significant heat wave — they ask folks to limit the amount of electricity they use. Just like letting up on the accelerator a little bit, ISO's spokesperson Steven Greenlee told KPCC.  

"If demand starts out-stripping supply that we're able to deliver, then we would have to go out and ask for rotating power outages," he said. 

Californians are usually cooperative during these alerts, Greenlee said. The last time a Flex Alert was issued in June 2016, they recorded 500 megawatts of load reduction.

“That means the people out there responded, they turned up their air conditioners, they helped save electricity. That 500 megawatts is about two large power plants in size that we did not have to generate,” he said.

To cut back on energy use until temperatures dip, Green suggests the following: 

• Set the thermostat at 78 or higher when you're home, and turn it off when you're away
• Cool yourself with fans & draw the drapes to keep the sun's heat out
• Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
• Use major appliances, like pool pumps, in the morning or late evening