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Power Supplies
Keeping the Lights On is CL&P's #1 Priority
To provide updates on New England's power supply, CL&P will work with ISO New England, which oversees the region's electric power system. For information, visit the ISO New England or CONVEX Web sites.
If supplies become critical, you'll hear these energy advisories issued from ISO New England on radio and TV public service announcements to alert you to severe power conditions:
Power Watch
Asks customers to turn off all unnecessary electrical appliances, air conditioning and lights during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Power Warning
Urges customers to immediately turn off all unnecessary air conditioning, lights and electrical equipment as significant reduction in power usage is necessary to avoid overload of the electrical system. We have special information for customers who are dependent on electrically operated life-support equipment.
Cooling Solutions
Summer's hot, humid days can create the year's highest electric demands. We're working hard to avoid any power supply problems and we appreciate our customers' energy conservation efforts, too. To help you conserve energy and cut your energy costs, here are some handy tips:
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Let in cool air in the early morning and evening hours by opening windows. During the heat of the day, keep doors and windows shut and close drapes and blinds. |
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Fans can keep you comfortable during the summer's heat and they cost just pennies a day to operate. You may want to install ceiling or oscillating fans for better air circulation. |
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Avoid using heat-producing appliances, such as your dryer and range, during the hottest parts of the day. |
If you use an air conditioner
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Maintain its thermostat at the warmest temperature you feel is comfortable; we recommend 78 - 80 degrees. |
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Keep vents and filters clean for maximum efficiency. |
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If you're buying a new air conditioner, remember that the higher the EER--energy efficiency rating--the greater the energy savings. |
For customers who use life-support equipment
Customers with life-support equipment need a backup plan for electricity
If you or someone in your household relies on electrically operated life-support equipment, you should prepare a backup plan in case of a power outage.
The plan should include:
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An alternate source of electric power, such as a battery backup system, an uninterruptible power supply or a generator for your life-support equipment. |
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Handy emergency telephone numbers: doctor, fire, police and ambulance. Please keep in mind that many cordless phones do not work during a power outage, so be sure that you have a regular phone available. |
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Arrangements to leave your home in case of a prolonged power outage. |
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Listening to the radio or watching the nightly news for predictions of expected storms or lengthy heat spells, when outages are more common. |
CL&P will contact you with advance notice about scheduled outages in your area. That's why it's important that you notify us if you or someone in your household relies on electrically-operated life support equipment.
Special Note: If you have already identified yourself to us and received a letter from us stating we would notify you in the event of an outage, you do not need to contact us again unless you have moved since notifying us of your life-support equipment.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-286-2000 (or 947-2000 within the Hartford, Conn., calling area).
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