As temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-90s on Wednesday and Thursday in the Valley, the city of Columbiana is asking that conserve electric power. 

Columbiana customers are requested to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 1 p.m. through 7 p.m. during excessive heat periods, including this Wednesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 16.

Columbiana City Manager Lance Willard said “There’s plenty of power available and the grid is in good shape, but if we can conserve during these peak hours, the city can save on transmission and capacity costs next year. Lowering the peak demand will help control electricity rates.

Willard explained that the city started the Energy Savings Days Program in 2019 to help keep the city's municipal electric system, which is owned by the city and customers, can make a difference in their electric rates by conserving energy during these periods.

Steps that electric customers can take to conserve electricity and save money include:

  • Shut off lights when not needed
  • Unplug small appliances and electric chargers (especially those with small lights)
  • During the day, block the heat from the sun by closing windows, doors and curtains
  • Do laundry and other household chores requiring electricity before 1 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
  • Turn off electronic devices when not being used
  • Turn the thermostat to 80 degrees or higher when you are sleeping or away from home. Raising the temperature by 5 degrees for eight hours can reduce your cooling costs by 3 to 5 percent.
  • Look for an air conditioning unit that is ENERGY STAR approved.
  • Do heat and moisture-creating activities such as washing dishes, doing laundry, bathing and cooking before noon or past 8 p.m.
  • Limit the amount of time you run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Only run them for as long as it takes to get rid of any odors to minimize losing cool air.
  • If you use a window air conditioning unit, make sure it fits correctly into the window to reduce the amount of cool air lost.
  • Consider using a window fan, which requires as little as one-tenth the amount of energy needed to run an air conditioner.

"As forecasts dictate throughout the summer, we will most likely be asking our citizens and customers to participate again, as we have had as many as 10 opportunities in past summers to participate,” Willard said.