Local electric companies issue beat the peak alerts for Tuesday

Because of the warmer than normal temperatures across the region, Choptank Electric and Delaware Electric Co-operative are asking customers to delay the use of all unnecessary lights and appliances on Tuesday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Officials say that home cooling systems use the most electricity in the home during these hours and in the hot weather. Officials ask that customers turn their thermostats up by three degrees. Other large consumers of electricity include major appliances including dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters.

By delaying the use of unnecessary lighting and appliances and by adjusting your thermostat up three degrees on Tuesday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, people can save energy resources, avoid high cost energy and help the environment.

Officials thank members for the voluntary effort in participating in Beat the Peak. A&N Electric Cooperative also issued a beat the peak alert for Tuesday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Officials say that when members save during times of peak energy use, Co-op's cost for power drops.

Officials say that people can turn off all unnecessary lights, consider grilling outside instead of using the oven or stove top and close blinds or curtains to cut the amount of sunlight coming into your home.