San Diego Gas & Electric is asking electricity customers to conserve power during the hot, gusty Santa Ana winds forecast to continue through Monday.
The National Weather Service office in San Diego said the first significant Santa Ana event of the year is causing high temperatures to rise 10 to 20 degrees above average.
A red flag fire warning is in effect for most of San Diego County until 3 p.m. on Monday. Any activities that could lead to fire ignition should be avoided.
While SDG&E said it has adequate electricity resources to meet demand, residential customers who reduce electricity use between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday will earn a credit of 75 cents per kilowatt hour.
The utility offered these tips for saving energy:
- Use a ceiling or portable fan instead of air conditioning if possible.
- Raise your central air conditioner’s thermostat setting by four to six degrees
- Run major appliances before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Unplug chargers and power strips
- Turn off pool pumps between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The weather service said the Santa Ana conditions are caused by high pressure off the California coast and over the Great Basin. Forecasters said gusty winds will impact the coastal slopes and areas through and below the passes and canyons.
