As temperatures continue to soar to record-breaking levels, many residents in the region are feeling the heat not only outside but in their energy bills as well.
The recent extreme heat wave has caused a surge in energy demand as people are relying heavily on air conditioning to keep their homes and businesses cool.
Joel Cherry, a spokesperson for SaskPower, elaborated on the strain created by waves of extreme heat.
“We're seeing a higher demand than usual for power right now,” he explained. “We're forecasting a peak load today that would be close to a record for summer. Typically, we have our highest loads in the coldest parts of winter and the hottest parts of summer because heating and cooling are a really significant source of power use, and we are seeing that.”
Cherry also offered some valuable tips for customers to reduce their cooling bills and reduce the strain on the power grid.
"One of the most effective methods is to keep your house as cool as possible while maintaining comfort,” he stated. “For every degree warmer you set your thermostat, you'll see a noticeable difference in your bills," he advised.
He also suggested using fans, such as ceiling fans with air conditioners to enhance cooling efficiency as well as simple practices like closing blinds to block out sunlight and cooking outdoors on a BBQ instead of using the oven indoors.
The extreme heat is also capable of causing issues for the gas distribution company, Cherry noted.
“The heat, especially when there's not much wind can pose some challenges for us, like for power stations when the cooling water gets warmer, it makes them less efficient,” he explained. “There's certainly some challenges that SaskPower has when it's hot too, so, we appreciate that our customers can conserve power because it helps to bring their bills down and it also provides some relief for us as well.”
Customers applying energy-efficient practices and being mindful of power consumption during peak times can play a crucial role in managing the strain on the grid and keeping costs down.