Last Week's Heat Prompts Record Electricity Use

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The heat and humidity last week prompted JEA customers to seek comfort inside, setting a new record for electricity use in the Jacksonville area.

 

JEA officials say the heat, coupled with the high humidity, prompted residents to turn down their thermostats to keep cool.

 

Wednesday afternoon, JEA's power output reached a new high of 2,616 megawatts, only to be surpassed Thursday afternoon, when the utility generated 2,688 megawatts. A megawatt is 1 million watts of electricity.

 

JEA's previous summer megawatt record was 2,592 megawatts, set July 19, 2002.

 

To cut your costs, JEA reminds customers to set their thermostats from 78 to 80 degrees in the summer months, use ceiling fans when they are in the room and dress for the season (shorts and lightweight clothes) when inside.