![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/us-heatwave-scorching-heat-strains-us-air-conditioning-capacity/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/130576951_gettyimages-1551142556.jpg&description=Media caption, Watch: The 'world's hottest month' explained... in 60 seconds Energy providers are warning Americans to be frugal with air-conditioning this weekend, as intense heat and increased demand could lead to blackouts. Nearly 200 million Americans are under "dangerously hot conditions" alerts with temperatures expected to soar past 100F (38C) in several major cities. The country's biggest power grid declared a level one energy emergency alert. July is expected to be Earth's hottest month since record keeping began. PJM Interconnection, the company in charge of power supply in 13 states and Washington DC, warned that "extreme heat and/or humidity may cause capacity problems on the grid". "Temperatures are expected to go above 90F (32°C) across the footprint, which drives up the demand for electricity," the company said in a statement. In New York, where the heat index is expected to climb as high as 110F, energy provider Con Edison is telling residents to reduce energy usage at home to help avert shutoffs. "Intense heat and increased demand for air conditioning can cause strain on the electric system and may lead to localised outages," the company said in a statement. The city is keeping swimming pools open longer and pointing New Yorkers to dozens of cooling centres for those without air-conditioning. Grid operators across the country declared hot weather alerts this week and told energy companies to put off unnecessary maintenance so all available generating plants and power lines would be ready for service. According to the most recent results from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 88% of US households use air conditioning. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, In New York, the heat index is expected to climb as high as 110F The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that the sweltering heat will "engulf much of the eastern half of the US". Weekend could bring the hottest days of summer so far for millions of people from coastal Virgin){kind=link}
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Watch: The ‘world’s hottest month’ explained… in 60 seconds
Energy providers are warning Americans to be frugal with air-conditioning this weekend, as intense heat and increased demand could lead to blackouts.
Nearly 200 million Americans are under “dangerously hot conditions” alerts with temperatures expected to soar past 100F (38C) in several major cities.
The country’s biggest power grid declared a level one energy emergency alert.