Bowling Green Municipal Utilities is currently working with the Tennessee Valley Authority to monitor the impact of increased energy usage and is asking customers to eliminate any unnecessary use of power until further notice.

This voluntary action is advised by BGMU as a precautionary measure due to the current period of hot temperatures in the region. 

BGMU will also be conserving power usage in its own facilities by adjusting thermostats and reducing lighting, according to a news release shared by BGMU. 

 “Anytime we experience a period of extreme heat, it significantly increases the demand for electricity,” BGMU General Manager Mark Iverson said in the news release. “Together with TVA, we are proactively taking steps to reduce energy consumption by asking our customers to take small practical steps that can have a big impact on our preparation to meet the demand for electricity.”

Here are some ways that BGMU recommends conserving energy and staying cool: 

• Adjust your thermostat to a temperature that is just cool enough to keep you comfortable, and then consider bumping it up a degree. Each degree a thermostat is set above 75°F could lower your energy use by 10-15 percent. 
• Use floor and ceiling fans in conjunction with air conditioning, letting you raise your thermostat a few degrees and remain comfortable. 
• Use major appliances early in the morning or late at night. Make sure to maximize your loads; larger loads not only save you money but they also save time and energy. 
• Prepare your meals in microwaves or other small appliances, or use an outside grill to avoid heating up the house.
• Lower your hot water heater temperature to 120°F and wash laundry with cold water. Water heating accounts for 15-20 percent of the energy consumed in your home, so small changes can make a big difference.
• Turn off lights and electronics when you leave a room.
• Close your blinds or curtains on the sunny side of your home to keep it cooler.