KUB asks customers to conserve energy to help TVA

Knoxville Utility Board customers are urged to stop running the dishwasher or doing laundry in the middle of the day until this heat wave passes.

Those machines require a lot of energy, which the Knoxville power company is seeking to conserve under a request from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Due to the extreme heat, TVA’s power supply is experiencing a spike in demand. Customers need to conserve energy, or there could be power outages in the region.

TVA alerted KUB and other local power companies of the need for energy conservation efforts on June 24.

This is not the first time TVA has asked customers to conserve. It’s happened before on days with extreme heat and freezing single-digit temperatures.

The federal utility spent $130 million to upgrade its plants after ordering its first rolling blackouts during a record cold blast in December 2022. The updates allowed the utility to meet record-breaking energy demands this past January. 

Tips to conserve energy in your home

Here are a few suggestions from KUB as to how customers can help preserve power.

• Raise your thermostat as safely and comfortably as possible.
• Postpone using large electrical appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and ovens. If you do need to use large appliances, use them early in the morning or late at night when electricity demand is lower.
• Businesses should minimize lighting and turn off all office equipment that is not in use.
• Eliminate all nonessential use of electricity, such as decorative indoor and outdoor lighting used for hallways, walkways and home patios.

Knoxville weather: How hot could it be this week?

A heat wave is sweeping across the eastern United States, leaving the region with sweltering summer temperatures.

A heat advisory is in place for Knoxville and East Tennessee through 7 p.m. June 25, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures in the region are in the 90s with a heat index, of “feels like” temperature of up to 107 degrees.

Everyone in the area is encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and limit time spent outdoors.