Heatwave Grips NYC, Straining Power Grid
As the first heatwave of the summer settles over New York City, putting significant strain on the power system, Con Edison is asking residents in specific parts of Queens to conserve energy. The urgent request comes as the utility company undertakes necessary equipment repairs simultaneously with soaring demand driven by increased air conditioner usage.
This situation highlights a recurring challenge for Con Edison during extreme heat. High temperatures and humidity cause power lines and equipment to physically heat up, increasing the risk of issues like smoke and localized problems that can lead to outages. To manage this strain and prevent more widespread failures, conservation requests and voltage reductions are employed as protective measures.
Which Queens Areas Are Asked to Conserve?
The current conservation request primarily targets approximately 166,000 customers in southeastern Queens. This area is bounded by:
North: Grand Central Parkway
South: Jamaica Bay
East: Nassau County line
West: Queens Boulevard and the Van Wyck Expressway
Neighborhoods within this region include:
Bellaire
Bellerose
Cambria Heights
Floral Park
Glen Oaks
Hollis
Holliswood
Jamaica
Jamaica Hills
Laurelton
Queens Village
Springfield Gardens
St. Albans
South Jamaica
To help maintain reliability while repairs are underway and demand is high, Con Edison has reduced voltage in the impacted area by 8%. Despite these efforts, more than 6,200 customers in the affected region were experiencing power outages as of early Monday afternoon. The duration of the necessary equipment repairs is not immediately clear.
How Residents Can Help Conserve Energy
Con Edison is asking customers in these specific southeastern Queens neighborhoods to take immediate steps to reduce their electricity use:
Limit High-Energy Appliances: Avoid using washing machines, dryers, and microwaves until repairs are completed.
Smart AC Usage: If you have multiple air conditioning units, use only one. Set your AC to the highest comfortable temperature, as every degree lower increases energy consumption significantly.
Delay EV Charging: If possible, hold off on charging electric vehicles until the situation stabilizes.
The utility warns that similar conservation requests may be extended to other neighborhoods in the city in the coming days if the heatwave persists and continues to strain the grid.
General Tips to Save Energy During a Heatwave
Beyond the specific request for southeastern Queens, Con Edison offers general energy-saving tips beneficial for all customers, helping manage costs and reduce grid stress during peak times:
Use Fans: Supplement AC with ceiling and other fans for better circulation and added cooling.
Off-Peak Appliance Use: Wait until late in the evening when energy demand typically drops to use dishwashers and laundry machines.
One Large Appliance at a Time: Avoid running multiple energy-intensive devices simultaneously.
Turn Off Unused Devices: Switch off lights, AC units, and other appliances when leaving a room or home. Consider using timers for AC units.
Block the Sun: Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed, as approximately 40% of unwanted heat enters through windows.
Customers in the affected areas and elsewhere can report outages or check restoration status via conEd.com/reportoutage, the Con Edison mobile app, or by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).
