Media Contact:
Faye Andersen: (775) 834-4822

Sierra Pacific Power announced today that a record system peak of 1,686 megawatts was recorded at 5 p.m. The record is attributable to increased use of air conditioning equipment during the current heat wave, and to customer growth in Sierra Pacific's service area. The prior system peak was 1,657 megawatts*, which occurred on July 30, 2003.

Sierra Pacific serves approximately 345,000 customers in northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area of California.

*One megawatt will power approximately 600 homes and businesses.

HOT WEATHER TIPS:
Listed below are a few of Sierra Pacific's tips for staying comfortable when daytime temperatures soar into the triple digits. These tips can also help customers hold down their monthly electricity costs.

• Dress appropriately. Loose fitting clothes, open collars and open-weave materials allow your body heat to escape. Natural fibers, such as cotton, work better than synthetics in absorbing perspiration and allowing it to evaporate.
• Keep the air circulating. Even a small portable fan can make you more comfortable at a very low energy cost. An electric fan is much less expensive to run than an air conditioner.
• Set the controls on your air conditioner between 78 and 80 degrees when at home; 5 to 10 degrees warmer at night or when you're not home.
• If your air conditioning unit is located on the ground, keep the area around it clean and free of obstructions to maintain airflow. Keep the outdoor condenser coils clean and be sure to change your air conditioning filters.
• Turn off lights and appliances when they're not in use, including your computer.
• Close blinds and drapes during the day to keep the heat out.
• Use your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer as late in the evening as possible. Run full loads. Also, use the energy saver feature on your dishwasher, which allows dishes to air dry. When they're on, appliances generate heat. So turning them off may save air conditioning energy.
• Instead of using the stovetop or oven to prepare meals, barbecue outside. By reducing the heat produced in your home by the stove, you will reduce the load on your air conditioner.

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