Extremely cold temperatures are expected across the region Monday morning, and that cold drives up energy use as people heat their homes and businesses. To help avoid problems and keep power available for everyone, the City of Gastonia is asking residents and businesses to use less energy from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
Those early morning hours are one of the busiest times for energy use during extreme cold. Cutting back where possible can help the system keep up with demand and reduce the risk of outages.
Here are a few simple ways to help Monday morning:
- Turn thermostats down a couple of degrees, if it’s safe to do so
- Wait until later in the day to run washers, dryers, or dishwashers
- Turn off lights and electronics you’re not using
- Avoid running several high-energy appliances at the same time
- If you have an electric vehicle, wait until midday to charge it when demand is lower.
“When temperatures drop this low, energy use climbs quickly,” said Dusty Wentz, Public Services Director. “Even small changes during the morning hours can help keep power flowing and make sure there’s enough available for the whole community.”
City of Gastonia Electric customers can download the COG-TRU Outages app, available in the App Store and Play Store, to report any power outages.
City staff will continue to monitor weather conditions and share updates on the City’s website and social media channels.
Residents are also encouraged to be cautious during extreme cold, watch for icy conditions, avoid travel when possible, and check on neighbors who may need extra help.
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.