High Heat Preparation, Response and Safety

Throughout the year, PWP performs extensive maintenance on power infrastructure to strengthen the system and prepare for increased customer energy demands during summer. During extended periods of extreme heat, PWP increases staffing to ensure any issues are responded to safely and quickly as possible. As the City heads into the warmest time of year, PWP aims to reassure the public the utility continues to prioritize providing reliable power during the hot summer months.

Tips to Save Energy During High Heat

PWP encourages customers to be prepared for high heat in the upcoming weeks and months. There is typically an increase in electric usage during the summer because of increased demand, which can result in higher energy bills. To practice energy conservation during this high usage period, PWP customers can:

• Ventilate homes in the early morning and evening by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate. Close window curtains, shades, or blinds during warmer hours to reduce the extra heat from direct sunlight coming indoors.
• Adjust air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage during the hottest hours of the day when air conditioning systems work the hardest to cool. Use ceiling fans or personal fans as much as possible.
• Reduce energy use during peak times (typically between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.) by limiting the use of major appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and dishwashers during those hours.
• Charge electric vehicles before or after peak hours.
• Turn off lights and unplug “energy vampires” like fully charged cell phones plugged into chargers, computers, laptops, charging cables, and other appliances that use energy even when not in use.
• Use energy-efficient lighting (LEDs use less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs).

Learn more about our energy saving programs here.

Be Prepared During an Emergency

• Stock emergency kits with enough food, water, weather protection and hygiene/medical supplies for at least 72 hours. Store one gallon of water per person per day, and don’t forget to store food and water for pets.
• Always keep fresh batteries on hand, flashlights, ice chests, battery powered radios and manual hand cranks or car chargers for mobile communication devices, all of which are useful during extended power outages.
• Remember that cordless phones do not operate in cases of a blackout. Have charged cell phones and/or standard corded telephones handy.
• Review your emergency communications and shelter plans with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, and record their contact information on paper and in your cell phone.
• Outage Management System - Registered customers can receive an automated call from PWP to inform them that their power is out and when they can expect to have it restored.  Register online or call 626.744-4005.
• Outage Map - The PWP outage map shows active power and water outages and provides the estimated time of restoration, when available.

Visit our Outage and Emergency Preparation page by clicking here.