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Con Edison Media Relations
Contact: Brenda Pérez
Telephone: (212) 460-4111

For Immediate Release: August 10, 2001

CON EDISON URGES CUSTOMERS TO CONTINUE ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURES

NEW YORK - Con Edison urges customers to continue conserving energy during the current heat wave. As early as 10:00 a.m. this morning, energy consumption was up to 11,744 megawatts -- 240 megawatts over yesterday’s 11:00 a.m. load.

The company advises customers to take the following steps, particularly when using air conditioners:

Make sure your air conditioner filter is clean to help it run efficiently.
Set the air conditioner temperature control to 78 degrees. A 75-degree setting costs 18% more. A 72-degree setting costs 39% more.
Use a timer. Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home and set the timer to turn the unit back on half an hour before you return.
If you are buying an air conditioner during the heat wave, look for units with the Energy Star® label to ensure the unit is energy efficient.
If you are only using the room where the air conditioner is located, close the doors to other rooms. Make sure your windows are tightly shut.
Remember to shut off computers, VCRs and CD players. When they are in the “on” mode they use energy even if you are not using them.
Use the washer, dryer or dishwasher later in the evening and only when you have a full load. Keep the lint filters clean in your washer and dryer for more efficient operation.

Yesterday, Con Edison hit a new peak in energy demand as of 3:00 p.m. by providing 12,207 megawatts in electrical power to its 3.1 million customers. The Con Edison system is delivering energy to an estimated 8.9 million New York City and Westchester residents. More than 4,000 Con Edison employees are working round the clock to monitor its system, which includes more than 89,000 miles of underground cables, 34,000 miles of overhead lines, 25,000 underground transformers, and 201,000 utility poles.