A conserve alert was in effect Wednesday for Imperial Irrigation District customers in the Coachella Valley as a heat wave pushed temperatures well above 110 degrees in some areas.
The alert will run until 10 p.m. Thursday. IID issues the notification when electrical demand runs high and puts a strain on the electrical grid.
Customers were encouraged to reduce energy use during the peak hours of 4-9 p.m. when demand is at its highest, officials said.
Officials recommended customers follow these steps to conserve energy during the alert:
— Avoid use of major appliances, including washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps and electric vehicle chargers between 4-9 p.m.;
— Set thermostats at 78 degrees or higher when home;
— Turn off unnecessary lights;
— Close blinds, shades or drapes to keep homes cooler, and
— Use fans, when possible, while turning them off when leaving a room.
IID provides electricity to La Quinta, Indio, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, Thousand Palms, Indio Hills, Sky Valley, Mecca, Thermal and Indian Wells.
Additional information on the alerts is available at www.iid.com/customer-service/conserve-alert.