The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Wednesday urged customers to conserve electricity through 8 p.m. as extreme heat and humidity continue across the city.
Conservation is especially requested in Westside communities, where temperatures remain unusually high, according to LADWP.
The department said conservation efforts could help reduce strain on local electrical distribution equipment and prevent power outages as the demand for air conditioning increases in the region.
LADWP said it is monitoring energy supply and the flow of electricity into and across the city and is using all available generation resources to meet customer demand.
Customers are being urged to set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees during the hottest hours of the day, reduce electricity use from the afternoon through 8 p.m. and visit cooling centers to give home air conditioners a break.
Residents are also encouraged to postpone use of major appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners until the early morning or evening hours.
Other conservation measures recommended by LADWP include closing curtains, shades or blinds during the hottest part of the day, turning off lights and electrical equipment when not in use and unplugging appliances that consume electricity even when turned off, sometimes referred to as “energy vampires.”
LADWP said its crews are prepared to respond to power outages. Customers who lose power can report outages by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP.