JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA asked customers to reduce energy and water use Monday morning due to the extreme cold temperatures that are driving higher-than-normal electricity demand across the state.
JEA said while the system is performing as expected, available power supplies are limited. For that reason, the utility asked customers to help ease the load on the electric grid by reducing energy use between 5 and 10 a.m. Monday.
JEA spokesperson Myers Vasquez said Florida’s utilities rely on the same power grid, meaning increased demand in one region affects the entire state.
“You can think of how we power our homes like a highway,” Vasquez said. “Energy is generated, it goes through transmission lines and then to homes. When there’s colder weather throughout the whole state, demand increases everywhere at the same time.”
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During these times, JEA also asked customers to minimize water usage.
Here are some ways you can reduce it:
- Reducing shower length
- Turning off faucets when brushing teeth
- Restricting usage of washing machines and dishwashers unless necessary
Some customers say they are trying to comply, while others say comfort remains a priority.
“If I’ve got to heat the house, I’m going to heat the house,” said Jason Mitchem, a JEA customer who keeps his thermostat set at 71 degrees. JEA has asked customers to keep thermostats closer to 68 degrees when possible.
Moreover, with overnight temperatures near freezing, the utility reminded customers to protect pipes by leaving faucets on a slow drip, which helps prevent freezing without lowering system pressure.
Despite some customers reporting water loss on Sunday, JEA said there were no water outages on its system.
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As temperatures begin to rebound, many customers say they hope the worst of winter weather is over.
“We’re just not used to it,” Mitchem said. “We’re not built for it.”
JEA said the overnight freeze warning may have frozen customers’ pipes or water lines, stopping water from flowing into homes.
If you have a cracked or burst pipe, JEA suggests you shut off the water supply from the main shutoff valve and contact a licensed plumber.
If you are unable to locate your main shutoff valve, you can call JEA at 904-665-6000 for assistance.
JEA also said some customers may receive higher than normal electricity bills due to the increased energy required to heat homes during cold weather. The utility added that heating a home typically uses more electricity than cooling one during the summer.
Find more ways to conserve water at jea.com/save.