Duke Energy and Gov. Henry McMaster are urging South Carolinians to voluntarily reduce electricity use during the early morning hours Monday as extremely cold temperatures drive unusually high demand across the region.
Duke Energy said temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees below normal across the East Coast are straining the power grid, prompting the company to ask customers in the Carolinas to cut back between 4 and 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, to help prevent potential temporary outages.
“We know it’s inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference,” Gerald Wilson, Duke Energy vice president of grid operations, said in a statement. “We are taking every step to meet our customers’ energy needs, including maximizing our generation and purchasing power and working with large commercial and industrial customers who have demand response programs.”
McMaster echoed the call Sunday evening, warning that single-digit and teen temperatures could place added stress on South Carolina’s electric system, particularly if many customers increase heating use or run major appliances at the same time during the morning hours.
“If large numbers of customers crank up the heat too quickly, or run their washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers at the same time, the power companies may not be able to keep up with the sudden demand for power,” McMaster said.
Both Duke Energy and the governor offered similar guidance to help ease the strain on the grid, including setting thermostats to the lowest comfortable level, avoiding the use of washing machines, dryers and dishwashers during peak morning hours, and turning off unnecessary lights and devices. Electric vehicle owners are encouraged to charge midday, when demand is lower.
McMaster also suggested residents bundle up with warm clothing or blankets, close window coverings at night to reduce drafts, and raise thermostats gradually later in the day to avoid triggering auxiliary heat systems. He added that ensuring interior doors and vents remain open and unobstructed can help HVAC systems operate more efficiently.
Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves millions of customers across the Carolinas and several other states. The company said it appreciates customers’ cooperation as it works to maintain reliable service during the cold snap.
