Flex Alerts Come to Fresno

What are Flex Alerts?

Flex Alerts are a way to get the word out to conserve energy when the power supply is low. They are triggered by humid, hot weather and heat waves, high peak demand, unplanned power plant outages, and fires that cause transmission line overloads, losses, or limitations. A Flex Alert is issued by the California Independent Operator (ISO), a nonprofit, public benefit corporation that operates the high voltage grid in California. The ISO tells power plants when to generate electricity, how much to generate and where to send the electricity.

Ways to Conserve Energy During a Flex Alert

• Adjust your thermostat to 78° or higher.
• Close your windows and doors to prevent the loss of cooled air.
• Adjust window coverings so that blinds are tilted upward, and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
• Clean or replace your A/C filter so that your A/C doesn’t have to work harder through all the dirt.
• Keep cool with ceiling fans. Using a ceiling fan can make a room feel 4° cooler.
• Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task lighting instead of overhead lighting.
• Turn your computer off when not in use.
• Cool off your home at night by opening windows to let the cool air in. In the morning close the windows to keep the heat out.
• Delay heat producing activities, like using the oven and stove to cook, until a cooler day.
• Inspect your home for air leaks to help keep hot air out of your home.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy used for the washer goes towards water heating.
• Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when you have full loads. During summer, wait until after 6pm to use these appliances.
• Program your thermostat for higher temperatures when you’re not at home.
• Use the bathroom fan after showers to remove heat and humidity from your home.
• Unplug electronics when they are not in use. These electronics combined can use the same amount of power to run your refrigerator.
• Adjust your water heater to 120° when you are home and to a lowest temperature setting when you are away.
• Head somewhere cool, adjust your thermostat accordingly, and go to a public pool or library. You could even go up to the mountains or to the beach to stay cool.
• Get rewarded for saving. Learn about the incentives and bill credits from PG&E to save energy on days when conservation is needed.

Find & Receive Flex Alerts

You can follow Flex Alerts on facebook and twitter.
You can also receive Flex Alerts by downloading the ISO Today app on your smartphone. With this app, you can see the real-time power grid conditions as well as track calendar events.
Another way to receive Flex Alerts is sign up through email or text message by filling out the green box on the right-hand side of the Flex Alert page.

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About Kate Harris

Kate grew up in Santa Rosa, California and attended school at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, where she studied Media Communications with an emphasis in Film Studies. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and reading. She currently lives in Fresno with her husband and is the Digital Marketing Manager for WorldLight Media.

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