Insights > The first week of summer makes its mark

The first week of summer makes its mark

06/24/2022

Tuesday marked the first official day of summer, although by heat index alone it felt like the season made an early entrance.

High temperatures have been with us for two weeks. And there’s more high heat expected in the days ahead with many portions of the U.S. reaching triple digit temperatures in what’s been described as a “heat dome” spanning across our region.

Early this week we projected the extreme heat would result in all-time high levels of electricity usage by our customers. On June 23, our more than 3 million customers set a new level of peak electricity usage of more than 21,800 megawatts, exceeding the previous summertime record established last year.

Entergy continues to closely monitor the weather, our equipment, and grid conditions, and take appropriate steps to ensure reliable delivery of power to our customers. We continue to work alongside our reliability coordinator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator or MISO, to maintain a careful balance of electricity demand with available supply from resources located throughout MISO, which extends across a 15-state region in the midsection of the United States.

High temperatures lead to customers using more electricity, higher bills

When there is a big difference between inside and outside temperatures, it takes more energy to maintain a pleasant climate in your home. Since heating and cooling costs make up about 55% of an average customer’s electric bill, taking steps to save energy can help you better manage usage when temperatures are hot. 

During hot months, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests closing blinds and curtains to block the sun, keeping your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees, and instead of using your electric stove or oven cook in a microwave oven or an outside grill. Find more ways on how to conserve energy here.

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