The National Weather Service has issued an “Excessive Heat Watch Warning” for much of California that started yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 31 and continues through Monday, Sept. 5. Glendale Water & Power (GWP) is taking steps to ensure it can continue to provide reliable power to its customers by encouraging conservation during these dates. With continuous days of high temperatures, and not too much cooling down in the evenings, power outages are common during this type of heat wave that has any power system working around the clock to keep up with the increased demand of HVAC use, which can overload transformers and strains the electrical system.

GWP wants to avoid any interruptions in service while keeping the safety and health of family and pets in mind. Residents are encouraged to turn up their thermostats to 78 degrees when home between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and put off the use of large appliances until after 8 p.m.

“During continuous days of high temperatures, making small conservation changes really make a big difference, and lessen the strain on our electrical grid,” stated Mark Young, general manager of GWP. “Our crews will be available to address any power outages that occur; however, we are relying on Glendale residents to do their part and conserve as much as possible.”

Business customers should also turn off unnecessary lights and cooling to unoccupied conference and storage rooms and warehouse spaces, but always keeping the safety of employees and customers in mind. Retail stores that usually have doors propped open during business hours, letting cool air out, should close doors to keep HVAC usage minimal.

GWP has already called a “Peak Event” for its Peak Savings program enrolled customers. The Peak Savings program automatically turns up the smart thermostats a few degrees of its enrolled customers to conserve energy. The first Peak Day event is today, Thursday, Sept. 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To help conserve energy during the heat wave, customers can do the following:

• Limit appliance use during peak hours of the day. Use them in early morning hours or after 8 p.m.
• Adjust air conditioning thermostats to 78 when home and set thermostats to 80 degrees when not home, keeping in mind the health of family members and pets.
• Use a ceiling fan instead of the a/c whenever possible. Remember fans cool people not rooms.
• Close all curtains and blinds to keep out direct sunlight and keep homes cool.
• Make sure all HVAC vents are clean and filters have been replaced.
• Turn off lights to rooms that are not in use.
• Use LEDs wherever possible since they don’t give off heat and are more efficient
• Air dry dishes to avoid using the dishwasher.
• Keep refrigerators full; a full one uses less energy. Don’t open the refrigerator during outages.
• Unplug “energy vampires” – cellphone chargers, DVD players, microwave ovens, and other appliances with digital clocks that use energy even when turned off or in sleep mode.
• When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work processes to morning or evening hours

GWP crews are on standby and prepared to respond to heat related outages if they do occur. Customers can sign up to receive outage text alerts by visiting GlendaleCA.gov/OutageTextAlerts, or visit the GWP outage map online at GlendaleWaterandPower.com for all outage updates. To prepare for, and in an event of an outage, keep flashlights handy, ensure cellphones are charged and keep the refrigerator door closed. Remember: customers can always check GWP’s website for outage information.  

Residents can also access various cooling stations in Glendale through Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of Pacific Community Center and Maple Park Community Center being closed on Monday, Sept. 5 as it is a holiday. Below is the information for each of the four cooling centers available:

Sparr Heights Community Center,
1613 Glencoe Way, 91208; (818) 548-2187; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Adult Recreation Center, 201 E. Colorado St., 91205; (818) 548-3775; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Maple Park Community Center, 820 E. Maple Ave., 91205; (818) 548-3783 or (818) 548-3694; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed on Monday, Sept. 5

Pacific Community Center,
 501 S. Pacific Ave., 91204; (818) 548-4098; 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Closed on Monday, Sept. 5