 |
 |
 |
Home > News > Media Release >Temperatures ramp up the juice
29 August 2008
With overnight temperatures this week in the low 20’s, people in the Top End are not only stowing the doona, but are already firing up their air conditioners.
Power and Water Corporation’s system control monitors even the smallest fluctuation in electricity demand across the area and are already seeing the effect of an earlier than normal build-up.
General Manager Power Networks, Bertram Birk said “We’ve already recorded a 25% increase in electricity demand during August. Normally we don’t see this level of increase until mid-September.
“Whether the build up comes earlier or later than usual, air conditioners are one of the household items that use the most electricity. We can just about pinpoint what time people get home from work or school or jump into bed. The use of air conditioners is not only the major contributor to demand, but a rise in household running costs for customers.”
Power and Water advise customers that fans are the best choice for cooling because they are relatively cheap to run and produce less greenhouse gas. If you use your air conditioner, set it to between 24°C and 27°C and circulate the air using a fan. A slightly higher, meaning warmer, temperature setting will actually take the humidity out of the air and make you feel more comfortable. For every degree lower (or cooler), you increase energy consumption by about 10%.
Customers only need to make small changes to their day-to-day lifestyle to make big differences to their energy use. Consider contacting CoolMOB www.coolmob.org and www.dkacoolmob.org for a residential energy audit or find more tips in the Power and Water Green Guide.
Contact: Judie Brennan, Media Manager, 0401 117 599