Gulf Power experiencing record high demand due to Arctic blasts

Gulf Power said recently that this month’s Arctic blasts, which brought temperatures down into the teens and twenties in Northwest Florida, led to a record high system peak demand of 2,817 megawatts on Jan. 18.

Under more typical weather conditions, Gulf Power’s expected system peak demand is 2,202 megawatts. This winter’s peak was 28 percent higher than forecasted and surpasses the previous record peak of 2,694 megawatts set in January of 2014.

Jan. 18 was the second time this month that cold weather caused a peak. The first peak occurred on Jan. 2.

“What this means is our customers should prepare for higher than normal power bills,” Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “With two months of winter left and another cold snap forecasted for next week, we also want to remind customers of ways to conserve energy and reduce the jumps in bills.”

Gulf Power suggested that, to help lower their energy bills, customers sign up for the Budget Billing or Energy Select programs, get an Energy Checkup, use a programmable thermostat, find and seal leaks, and leave their thermostat at a constant temperature.

“Almost half of the energy in your home goes to heating and cooling,” Blair said. “In the winter, set it at 68 degrees and leave it. For every degree above 68, you set your thermostat, you’ll pay 10 percent more in heating costs.”