Con Edison: newsroom - news release - Con Edison Restores Power, Asks Customers to Keep Conserving

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Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: July 8, 2010
9:00 a.m.

CON EDISON RESTORES POWER, ASKS CUSTOMERS TO KEEP CONSERVING

NEW YORK —Con Edison has restored electrical service to approximately 42,800 customers affected by the intense heat wave this week and is asking customers to continue to conserve.

The company credits its customers for responding to requests for conservation since the heat wave began, thereby reducing the strain on the electrical system and avoiding more outages.

The company has hundreds of extra crews and support personnel available 24/7 to respond to any service problems that may arise. The company was working to restore service to about 1,800 customers who were without power as of 9 a.m. today.

Con Edison is distributing dry ice in Sunset Park, Brooklyn to customers affected by power interruptions. Bags of dry ice are being distributed at 60th Street and 6th Avenue. A Con Edison customer outreach van is at this location. Near that location, company crews are working to restore electrical power to residents from 5th Avenue to 8th Avenue between 59th and 61st Streets.

Con Edison urges customers to report power interruptions or service problems, as well as view service restoration information, online at www.conEd.com, or on their cell phones and PDAs. Customers can also call 1-800-75-CONED.

If you experience a power outage:

Turn off all light switches and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. Leave at least one light switch in the on position to alert you when power has been restored;

Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Each time the door is opened, heat enters and speeds the thawing process;

Have a battery-powered radio and a supply of extra batteries handy. Have flashlights available for every member of your household;

Listen to your battery-operated radio on for updates on our restoration progress and safety tips;

Fill spare containers with water for cooking and washing.

Here are some steps the company is recommending to stay cool this summer:

Make sure air conditioner filters are clean for peak efficiency;

Set thermostats no lower than 78 degrees. Each degree lower increases cooling costs by 6 percent;

If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, block the vents in un-used or vacant rooms;

Also turn off lights and other appliances, use a timer to turn them on as necessary, and turn your computer off when not at home to conserve;

To reduce heat and moisture, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it’s generally cooler. Use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside if possible.

Energy-savings tips are also available on Facebook at Power of Green, on Twitter @ConEdLiz and @ConEdSara and by downloading the company’s Power of Green iPhone app.