To prepare for the Flex Alert, customers can take these steps before 4 p.m.:“Pre-cool” homes or lower air-conditioning thermostats.Charge electric vehicles.Charge mobile devices and laptops.Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.Here are some other ways customers can conserve energy:Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away.Cook with a grill outside, or microwave, to keep your home cooler.Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans when you can.Shut off lights when leaving a room.Close your blinds to keep out the afternoon heat.Limit the opening and reopening of refrigerators, which are major users of electricity in many homes.Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use.Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use.Give your dryer a break 4-9 p.m. and hang dry your clothes, if you can.When possible, businesses should shift power-intensive work to morning or late-evening hours.
