| Updated: 8/02/2012 10:11 am |
Published: 8/01/2012 10:32 pm
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Soaring temperatures are pushing people inside, where it's comfortable but only if the thermostat is at a preferred level.
Stan Whiteford with PSO said hundreds of thousands of customers across Green Country are asking a lot right now of the power grid.
"Electrical use right now is really high," said Whiteford.
Many people didn't expect to trade as much money for air.
“In New Zealand, its 80 degrees in the summer time," said Grant Aumua.
Aumua moved in to his house in Glenpool a few months ago. Not long after his bills started getting more expensive.
The price went from around $40 to $160. He does everything he can to cut back.
"We turn it down at night because I don't sleep that well when it's hot," said Aumua.
His house is environmentally efficient.
"We've got a thicker wall insulation," said Aumua.
He rarely watches tv, and even his washer and dry are built to save.
"If you just adjust your thermostat a couple of degrees, you can save a lot,” said Whiteford.
Tuesday, Tulsans used the second highest amount of power in PSO history. And with hotter days ahead even a few short-cuts may not save much.
Whiteford said there is no danger of the power grid being over-taxed. He said PSO is prepared, even if the demand exceeds last year's record-setting number.
