The heat has us using near record amounts of electricity. Yesterday, PSO recorded the 2nd biggest amount of power their customers have ever used. So, they are asking their customers to conserve electricity. They are even turning to about 30 of their bigger business customers for help.
"They have large loads of course. These are the ones that can make a significant difference if they reduce their load a little bit," says PSO spokesperson, Stan Whiteford.
One of those business is the Tulsa International Airport.
"We have reduced the number of lights on in the terminal during the peak usages times. We have increased the temperature in the terminal building by two degrees and increased the temperature in the water coolers, so the water isn't running as cool," says TIA spokesperson, Alexis Higgins.
When PSO calls them, the airport does all of this between 2 and 6 P.M. They also make announcements every 30 minutes so people will know why it's warmer. Higgins says some customers have noticed but haven't really complained.
"As soon as you get off the airplane and you feel the heat you are happy to be a terminal building even if it's a 76 degree terminal building," says Higgins.
PSO asks people like the airport and Reasor's to take part because no matter how much maintenance you do the heat will affect their equipment.
"Some transformers will get a little overloaded now and again depending on the situation and we have to go out and change those. Some fuses will pop and we will have to go out and change those," says Whiteford.
Whiteford says they have plenty of power for everyone just want to make sure everything is up and running for everyone. So, now PSO needs the help of their household customers. With the extra use they need you to conserve during peak times as well. So, check your cooling system and your lights.
"The easiest thing to do is make sure your air filters are changed regularly and that they are clean because that will really affect the performance of your system," says Whiteford.
Another easy tip is to unplug appliances and even cell phone chargers when they aren't being used because that will help you save and every bit counts.
